Inspiration
Written by Lindsay Krause
Cape Town’s leading luxury hotel Ellerman House has been at the forefront of excellence for over 25 years. With a reinvigorated focus on wellness, Ellerman House recently announced the launch of Africa’s first-ever sleep rooms and two exclusive 4-day sleep retreats to be hosted in 2020. Designed alongside internationally-renowned Elite Wellness Consultant, Harry Jameson, this luxury retreat is sure to have travelers recharged in no time. We caught up with Vicky Dennet, Wellness Manager of Ellerman House to find out more about their wellness offering, their upcoming retreats and the importance of sleep for the luxury modern-day traveler.
Vicky Dennet: Our approach to wellness is holistic and we focus on Mental, Physical, Emotional and Spiritual Wellbeing. We design retreat packages which allow guests to experience everything that Ellerman House and Cape Town has to offer. This will include art tours, guided hikes, yoga and meditation just to name a few. The activities will change per season ensuring that it never stagnates. We have also designed specific nutritional menus and introduced sleep rooms ensuring that all of our guests’ needs are taken care of. We believe that it is this approach that will ensure that we stay ahead of the trend.
Vicky Dennet: We started working with Harry Jameson about 10 months ago. His input and knowledge helped guide us in the realization of just how important sleep is and how it changes our experience and memory. This inspired us to develop our sleep room and sleep ritual.
Vicky Dennet: In our modern world, we are constantly connected via electronic devices. This, however, is extremely disruptive for our wellbeing. The first step is to limit this disruption by removing all devices that reflect blue light. We then cover all electrical sockets to remove the temptation. The next step is to prepare the room to optimize sleep conditions. The air in the room is purified and the temperature in the room is set to the optimal sleeping temperature of 18 degrees. We have specially prepared sleep boxes that contain products from Healing Earth, that aid sleep as well as specific rituals that facilitate the sleep process. All of these work on your Parasympathetic nervous system which is also known as the “rest and digest” part of the nervous system. By improving your Parasympathetic nervous system you reduce inflammation, you slow down your heart rate and blood pressure and improve your digestion. This all contributes to mental clarity, focus and overall wellbeing.
Vickey Dennet: Guest will have an opportunity to explore all the natural wonders Cape Town has to offer including guided hikes on Table Mountain or Lions Head. On or off-site yoga and meditation. One-on-one sessions with Harry Jameson. Kayaking, cycling and supping. This can all be customized depending on the season and fitness level of the guests.
Vickey Dennet: Guests will be blown away by a nutritional workshop led by Harry Jameson and Chef Rudolph Blaauw under the guidance of our Culinary Director Peter Templehoff. Research has shown that gut health is immensely important and that a large proportion of serotonin is produced in the gut. This “feel-good hormone” can be stimulated naturally by eating fresh foods like salmon, eggs, spinach and seeds. Chef Rudolph’s focus is all about fresh, local and sustainable food. His menus will definitely change according to season and will include healthier options. We also focus on each guest’s needs and dietary requirements.
Vickey Dennet: To recuperate from all the activities, I would recommend our Ellerman House deep tissue massage followed by a 15-minute steam or sauna.
Get in touch with one of our dedicated LuxVenture® Designers to find our more about Ellerman House’s Sleep Retreat and wellness experiences throughout Africa.
Head office:
7 Bree Street, 6th Floor, Touchstone House, Cape Town, South Africa
+27 (0)21 201 2484
[email protected]
United Kingdom: Sportsman Farm, St Michaels, Tenterden, Kent
Ker & Downey® Africa is compliant with COVID-19 Industry Protocols.
Head office: 7 Bree Street, 6th Floor, Touchstone House, Cape Town, South Africa
+27 (0)21 201 2484
[email protected]
United Kingdom: Sportsman Farm, St Michaels, Tenterden, Kent
Ker & Downey® Africa is compliant with COVID-19 Industry Protocols.