We checked into Brookdale Health Hydro in the Midlands for a much-needed reset – and discovered that switching off is an experience in itself.
There’s something wonderfully calm about arriving at Brookdale Health Hydro. Within minutes, your bags have been whisked away, your phone is firmly discouraged and you’re handed a fluffy gown. Suddenly, the emails, errands and endless notifications of everyday life feel very far away.
Tucked into the lush Midlands countryside near Nottingham Road, Brookdale is less about a traditional spa day and more about pressing pause on life. Its philosophy centres around healthy eating, exercise and stress management, with the aim of restoring balance to mind, body and soul.
After a quick orientation, we settled into our room before heading to lunch – an upside-down chicken salad with black rice, carrot, red onion and a lemony vinaigrette, served alongside fruit and cranberry juice. Guests are encouraged to take their meals outside, so we grabbed our picnic-style lunch and headed down to the river, where a deck overlooking the water made the perfect spot to eat.
Then came the serious business of relaxing.
A 55-minute Swedish full-body massage was followed by reflexology, before we wandered through the property’s beautiful gardens. Brookdale is full of hidden corners, little nooks and bubbling waterfalls, making it very easy to lose track of time.
The digital detox is taken seriously. Phones are restricted to your room and designated areas, encouraging guests to read, chat, paint, colour, knit or simply sit quietly. It sounds challenging at first, but after a while, you realise just how liberating it is not to constantly reach for your phone.
Dinner continued the healthy theme, with a delicious aubergine-based take on lasagne, salad, kombucha and a dark chocolate and date treat. The kitchen, headed by chef Elena, prepares meals from scratch and is accommodating of dietary requirements.
The next morning began with a 5km nature walk before breakfast – smoked trout, cottage cheese and a homemade scone-style bread – and provided a fitting end to our stay.
With its heated indoor pool, cold plunge pool, sauna, steam room, treatments, gardens and wellness activities, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. But perhaps the real luxury at Brookdale is having permission to do absolutely nothing.
You leave feeling rested, nourished and, most importantly, reminded that sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is simply step away.
Details: www.brookdale.co.za;
info@brookdale.co.za; 033 266 6208;
IG: @BrookdaleHydro
