This is the travel break you always you knew you needed - but didn't realise was this close to where you live

Oxford Healthcare Retreat, Melrose, Joburg

I was desperate for some timeout. The year coming to an end promised no relief from deadlines and a situation I had found myself back in was repeating unwelcome patterns. I knew I couldn’t stop the world and get off but surely the universe would stop hiding the pause button so I could get a moment to think? And it did. An email alert beeped to announce that there was a sanctuary waiting for me in the city, with an offer to spend the night.

My GPS tracked that it was a 20 minute drive from work so I could leave after my last meeting and be there before the sun set and traffic locked me into its grid.

Almost around the corner from Melrose Arch stands a double story guesthouse at the top of rolling lawns and smaller buildings that tuck away a sauna, flotation pool, heated swimming pool, music room, en-suite bedrooms, treatment rooms and a yoga studio. The kitchen opens out into a small dining area leading onto a patio that overlooks all the green. Upstairs the bedrooms are simply decorated and the bath begs you to run something as indulgent as resource consciousness will allow.

But first an hour-long deep tissue massage melted away most of the knots and then it was time for dinner. Light, flavourful with bright colours on the plate, a pecan-nut encrusted salmon with perfectly steamed and plump vegetables was the tastiest way to nourish my body. I need to find a similar recipe. Dessert was an apple crumble with coconut cream. They really pay attention to the food served here.

This isn’t the dish I had but same principles apply. I can imagine the contrast of samphire and citrus was perfection.

After digesting the meal in the sauna and heading back to my room for that soak, I was going to check my mails and catch up on some work. Thankfully no wifi meant the good work that had been done to my muscles and psyche wasn’t undone. I did answer a few mails on my phone and set my alarm to shower to get ready for a 7am yoga and mindfulness session.

Sitting down for breakfast wrapped in a gown over stretchy pants and top after writing ten things I’m grateful for, I felt cocooned, safe and reset. Why wasn’t I starting my mornings like this more often? Dressed and ready for the first meeting, the drive to work was a joy and I found myself smiling at all the challenges that I might meet that day.

How much does it cost?

The nourishing overnight experience is R4 250 per night and includes everything I mentioned plus a psychotherapy consult where you talk to the therapist about stress habits and how you can break yours as well as a lunch, walk and floatation pool session which you can pick over a sauna or session in the music sensorium. Check in is at 6pm and check out at 5pm the following day.

You can also go for the day for R1 950 or check out their other packages here.