Camelot Spa : Table bay hotel V&A Waterfront : They should pay me

All I wanted was a massage and most of the spas were booked the day I wanted it! I decided to take a chance at the Camelot Spa located at the Table Bay Hotel ( V&A Waterfront) and to my surprise the lady had an opening for a couples massage at 3:30pm. I was delighted of course……… little did I know!

We arrived promptly at 3pm after parking at the Table Bay Hotel. Upon entering, the ticket on the parking card said that the surcharge is R100 (day-light robbery!). I quickly asked the security guard if this was real or a printing error. He then told me that I can get the card validated at the spa and parking would be free (thank goodness!). We entered the spa which was not very “spa-like” as it comprises of the pool and gym used by hotel patrons and no separate facilities. It was noisy as we walked in with hotel guests walking in and out of the pool and gym area. The receptionist told me that as guests of the spa we were not allowed to use the pool (what?! huh??). So, I pay good money for a treatment and I cant even use the pool? That makes no sense and is contrary to what the other S&L ladies experienced a year before.  First impression = not impressed at all!

The changing rooms were pretty basic. You are assigned a locker where a robe, towel and slippers are waiting for you. The robes are washed out and look old. There are only 2 toilets in the changing room which is insufficient for a spa of its’ size.

I proceeded to the waiting area where my partner was already seated. The receptionists advised that our room was not ready and we can either wait 15 minutes or have our massages done separately (in 2 individual rooms). We decided to wait. While we were waiting, another 2 guests walked into the waiting area and could not sit down because there are only 2 couches. So they stood around in their gowns and waited for someone to call them into a treatment room. After a few minutes the one guest caused a scene because no one had attended to them yet. I understood where she was coming from because we felt the same way. We were offered herbal tea and a cookie while we waited (which was a nice touch).

I noticed 2 guest forms on the table and decided (on my own, with no instruction) to complete the form. The form had questions about any medical conditions, type of massage I would like and a new little feature where you can add on services while you are getting a massage. I saw an option for a medi-heel treatment and selected that as an extra service for an additional R95.

The couples massage room was warm and inviting and I was pretty excited to get a nice aromatherapy massage. The therapist introduced herself but I cant remember her name. The massage began with me lying stomach down and a towel over me. The therapist started with the back massage and asked about the pressure. I told her that I wanted light pressure and I will just say this — it was anything but light! I was in so much pain throughout the massage and I felt very uncomfortable moving and implying that I was in pain. When she started on my legs she started massaging my knee caps! I have been for hundreds of massages and I have never had anyone massage my knee caps! It was uncomfortable and painful. Then she tried cracking my fingers! The whole experience was a nightmare and very far from relaxing. I think the worst part was when she had to massage my right arm and she was on the left side of the bed. Instead of moving to the right side of the bed, she lathered the oil on my right arm by reaching over me. While she was doing that, her arms was knocking my upper chest area which was very painful.

Did she even read my guest page? I did not receive the med- peel service  requested which confirms that she had not read it!

I’m sorry to say but that was the worst massage I received in my entire life and the lack of professionalism and massage ability was shocking. I would never go back there and I would recommend others to stay away! The massage was R650 and for that price I would rather go to another spa ( any other spa). I hate writing bad reviews and I do try my best to see the good in everything, but there was nothing good about my experience.

Have you ever had a bad experience at a spa? Let us know in the comments below…

XOXO Jee

Read our post about our previous experience at the Camelot Spa here.

Read our post on the top spas in Cape Town here (which will now have to be updated).