We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
Contact accommodation for availability.
There are similar hotels available.
View all
Payments made by partners impact the order of prices displayed. Room types may vary.
Nearby Hotels
Reviews (165)
Filter reviews
165 results
Traveller rating
94
54
15
2
0
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageAll languages
Traveller rating
94
54
15
2
0
Show reviews that mention
All reviews cold plunge medical facilities spa treatments retreat relaxation
Selected filters
Filter
Updating list...
151 - 156 of 165 reviews
Reviewed 1 September 2014

Arrived at 1 PM in time for a massage I had booked. The lobby, as is much of the accommodation, is a wonderful throwback to the 70's. Many may not like it I thought it was really sweet. Check in courteous and quick. The room complete with shaggy blue carpet and 70's wood was extremely clean and comfortable.

The therapy area is as good as any i have visited anywhere clean as can be. Massage was great and relaxing. Caitlin is very good.

The hydro section is also dated but has everything, I used sauna, steam room and jacuzzi all perfect. There is a freezing cold outside pool by the steam and sauna and is worth a quick dip after the heat! Leaves you tingling and feeling great. There is also 2 pools in the hydro area one warm the other not cold but cooler. The warm complete with jets for a massage effect. I took part in the aqua aerobics and was pleasantly surprised at level of intensity thereof. Again I must say the level of cleanliness is brilliant.

On the exercise front I visited the gym, somewhat limited but ok it is possibly the only part of Hoogland which needs some updating. I also walked the grounds. The setting is worth mentioning. It is 1hour from Johannesburg but could be a million miles. It looks and feels like Africa. "I had a farm in Africa" was what sprung to mind. I met a kudu, a wildebeest and the resident troop of baboons on my walks. Awesome!

Food is healthy, tasty and plentiful. It is not gourmet and do not go if that is an issue. What it is, is wholesome and nutritious. It is also 24 hour! I arrived one night at 1AM and found plenty fresh fruit and even had a bowl of soup.

The resort has various therapies, even hypno, psychologists a doctor a nursing sister etc etc. I never tried any but I would imagine all professional and helpful. I did however visit the physio. He was absolutely world class and one of the best I have seen. Unfortunately he is leaving and I hope will be replaced with a similar expert.

Staff are wonderful and friendly so sweet and kind. The benefits of training and clearly keeping staff happy is obvious to any who have experience of hotels and resorts.

Perhaps a little expensive for locals but compared to similar European setups an absolute bargain! Cost me $500 that included all accommodation in an upgraded north facing room, all food, 3 massages and 2 visits to the physio. Unlimited use of the hydro and any activities or talks that are arranged daily. I would go every weekend if I could afford it.

Ah the joys of visiting a family owned place are so many! They love the joint and frankly so do I!! Great stuff thanks Hoogland see you soon.

Room tip: My tip would be thus. You will not spend much time in the room! There is no elevator so downstairs is not a bad plan. North facing costs a bit more and maybe worth having.
Date of stay: August 2014
  • Trip type: Travelled solo
    • Location
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
4  Thank polydav
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 16 August 2014

Nothing has changed in the past 18 months, staff and management remain consistently around, watchfully and friendly, the food is great and the newish musli is beyond great.
It is worth the trip from Cape Town as we do not have anything near this in the Western Cape in a world where noting works and standards drop, Hoogland has kept improving with that eye for detail that a family business has agains that of a corporate.
I will be back many more times

Room tip: To my own detriment I will recommend room 90
Date of stay: August 2014
  • Trip type: Travelled solo
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Service
5  Thank MDDDDDDDDDD
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 8 July 2014

An excellent place to unwind and detox. I have been going to Hoogland on a regular basis every 3 to 4 months for the past 4 years. Food is marvellous, staff are warm and sincere, treatments are professionally done by excellent masseuses, and I always return to Johannesburg with batteries fully re-charged! I often include physio treatments with Jurgen, and I cant speak highly enough of the man! Facilities are excellent.. I would not consider going to any other spa - Hoogland suits me perfectly! Rooms are comfortable, with comfortable beds and fresh clean linen

Date of stay: June 2014
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Rooms
    • Service
3  Thank MauriceFr2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 7 July 2014

Just 1 hour drive from Jo'burg is Hoogland Hydro - a wonderful oasis of tranquility, relaxation and healing, where you can simply relax totally, or detox using the 'hydro therapy cycle' and chill-out in the fresh air, or indulge yourself in pampering massages and treatments, or take a health-restoring fast under the expert guidance of Dr Andre and Sister Elsa.
The Hydro is sublimely comfortable - down-to-earth, yet magical at the same time, offering simple, comfortable, immaculate rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows with sunlight streaming in - electric blankets in winter, overhead fans in summer.
In winter, log fires in the main lounge, and koppies alive with flowering aloes. Sky lanters at New Year. And always the beautiful surroundings of Hoogland's gardens!
Meals are delicious, nutritious, and generous - served on a buffet-basis throughout the day from 8am to 8pm, with fruits and salads freely available at all times.
The Hydro offers a broad-spectrum of water therapies: heated jet pools, cold pools, jacuzzis, saunas, steam rooms, steam cabinets, and aqua aerobic classes.
Staff are welcoming and genuinely friendly, and always on hand to offer assistance when requested.
Professionals and therapists offer world-class treatments and massages.
Nature walks in the rocky hills at sunrise and sunset are invigorating and health-restoring, with an added bonus of the resident eland, wildebeest, red hartebeest, and zebra!
Yoga and Bio Danza classes enliven body, mind and spirit!
Talks and workshops are stimulating, enlightening, and fun! (Tip : do not miss Abraham's 'Food Preparation' workshop!)

Guests are free to take part in all the activities, or to choose to do absolutely nothing except soak up the peaceful surroundings....both experiences are infinitely enjoyable!

Hoogland is a family-run Hydro, and the warmth and sincerity of the Kruger Family's service and care, added to their passion for holistic health, adds immensely to the experience at Hoogland.

Hoogland is my favourite getaway - my family and I have been visiting the Hydro several times a year over the past 10 years - whenever we have an occasion to celebrate, and as often as time and funds allow!
Thank you to all at Hoogland, for yet another awesome stay! We will be back.....soon!
To Tripadvisor readers : I recommend Hoogland Hydro wholeheartedly and unreservedly!

Room tip: Double rooms are north facing and sunny. If travelling solo, worth upgrading to double if aavailable - definitely worth the additional cost!
Date of stay: June 2014
  • Trip type: Travelled as a couple
    • Location
    • Rooms
    • Service
5  Thank Heather S
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 June 2014

I cannot fault the health treatments & hydro facilities at the Hoogland Health Hydro, however I was disappointed with the accommodation. The rooms were incredibly tired & the building in general had the feel that it was in desperate need of attention. I had to move rooms 3 times, as the 2 of the rooms I was shown were leaking, with water dripping onto the bed. The female member of staff at the front desk tried to lie & tell me that there were no alternative rooms, despite one of the therapists telling me that they were less than 50% full that weekend. I assume that this was because she couldn't be bothered to find me another room for the night. I found this disappointing, as the hotel advises that one's environment is essential for relaxation & de-stressing. Not sure how I was meant to sleep properly in a room where the bed had been soaked from a leak. The 2nd room I was shown had wires hanging out of the ceiling where the lights had been removed, & the 3rd room was also leaking. Also rather disappointing was the fact that you had to bring your own spa dressing-gown. This is obviously so the hotel can save money on laundering, but it meant that you were stuck with a soaking wet dressing gown for most of the weekend which wasn't very pleasant.

However, the massages etc were good. Despite this, I wouldn't return, as a spa weekend is just as much about the accommodation as the therepies if you really want to relax & this spa doesn't look like it's had any attention since the 1970s.

Date of stay: March 2014
  • Trip type: Travelled solo
    • Value
    • Location
    • Sleep Quality
    • Rooms
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
7  Thank missechsinclair
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monia V, Manager at Hoogland Health Hydro, responded to this reviewResponded 7 July 2014

Good Day

Thank you for taking the time to write. Hoogland is much more than a spa, and we pride ourselves in this. My grandfather built the building, and it is not very modern or upmarket. It is homely and comfortable, and the sprawling space allows it to never feel crowded, even when we are full, one of the many beautiful aspects of the building and huge grounds surrounding it.

It has been bothering me since reading your comments that your experience was tainted not only by the room, but also because of your perception.

We were fully booked other than 2 of our single rooms which were under renovation at the time. I think there might have been a misunderstanding with the therapists as our average occupancy over the past year was just over 50% (steadily increasing), but during your stay, we were practically full.

It was as disappointing to us that the roof of your room was leaking, as we had waterproofing touched up just before the rainy season, but I remember going to Sandton City and the floors even there pooled with water as the rain was heavier and more persistent than what we couple possibly be prepared for.

We only had one of the single rooms available which was being renovated, and this was the one where some of the light fittings had been removed. There were no live wires though, and plenty of other lights. I believe that we explained this to you as best we could, and there was certainly no attempt from our side to lie to you, only to make the best out of a not-so-perfect situation in as little time as possible with as little disruption to your stay as possible. The bedroom, although very important, is after-all is a very small part of the whole experience at Hoogland.

If you think back on your time with us, knowing now that we were genuinely fully booked and could not accommodate you in any other way, I hope you will see the experience in a new light.

We are also continually busy with updating and upgrading the accommodation, a never-ending process of creating a homely, caring and healing environment in our beautiful Schurveburg hills.

Regards,

A. Kruger
MD, Hoogland Health Hydro

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
View more reviews