As Johannesburg settles into its quieter, cooler months, the Spa at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff invites guests to embrace winter as a season of restoration rather than retreat. This winter, the hotel introduces its newest signature offering, the Ubusika Ritual, a thoughtfully curated wellness journey inspired by the isiZulu word for winter, ubusika.
Designed to restore warmth, stillness and balance, the ritual combines deeply grounding massage techniques, nourishing skincare and calming scalp therapy, while allowing guests to personalise their experience by choosing from three organic West African shea butter blends. More than a seasonal treatment, it reflects a growing appreciation for intentional self-care, African wellness traditions and the luxury of slowing down.
"There is something about winter that invites us to soften," says Brenda Magome, Spa Manager at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg. "The days draw in, the rhythm gentles, and the attention we give ourselves becomes more intentional. The Ubusika Ritual was created in that spirit: a generous, layered experience crafted to nurture both body and mind, leaving guests feeling radiant and entirely themselves."
Beyond the treatment room, guests are encouraged to linger in the spa's relaxation spaces, enjoy the heated outdoor lap pool, sauna and steam room, or extend their wellness escape with an overnight stay overlooking Johannesburg's leafy Westcliff hillside. Alongside Ubusika, the Spa's winter offering also includes the immersive four-hour Ubuhle Nokuphumula ritual and the invigorating African Traveller treatment, creating a collection of experiences designed to meet different wellness needs throughout the season.
We spoke to Brenda Magome about the inspiration behind the Ubusika Ritual, the importance of embracing African wellness traditions, and why winter is the perfect time to slow down, reconnect and prioritise self-care.
GLAMOUR: The Ubusika Ritual is inspired by the Zulu word for winter. How did the concept come about, and what does winter wellness mean to you in the context of Johannesburg's colder months?
Brenda Magome: The inspiration behind Ubusika came from viewing winter not just as a change of season, but as an invitation to reconnect with ourselves. In isiZulu, ubusika means winter, a time when nature slows down, rests and restores. At Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, we want to invite guests to embrace winter differently. This ritual is about creating a moment of genuine care. It is warmth through touch, comfort through scent, and restoration through time intentionally set aside. It allows guests to step away from the demands of the day and return to themselves feeling renewed.
GLAMOUR: You describe winter as a season that invites us to "soften." How do you see guests' wellness needs changing during winter compared to other times of the year?
Brenda: Winter naturally invites us inward. At the Spa, we often see guests seeking treatments that feel more nurturing, grounding, and restorative during this season.
As temperatures cool, the skin often asks for deeper nourishment - skin can become drier, muscles more tense, and many seek an emotional need for rest. This is where winter wellness becomes so powerful. It is not simply about a massage or skincare; it is about creating a full sensory pause, one that allows the body to soften, the mind to settle, and our guests to feel more balanced than when they arrived.
GLAMOUR: The Ubusika Ritual combines massage, skincare and scalp therapy in one journey. What was the thinking behind this layered approach to relaxation and restoration?
Brenda: The Ubusika Ritual was designed as a complete journey, reflecting the idea that true restoration is rarely one-dimensional. Each element cares for a different part of the guest’s wellbeing, while coming together as one thoughtful, sensory ritual.
The skincare element nourishes and replenishes through the guest’s chosen shea butter blend from Terenaka's natural formulations, each one created for a different mood and effect.
Whether you are drawn to the calming notes of jasmine, geranium, and chamomile, the uplifting freshness of sweet orange and lime, or the deeper nourishment of baobab and mongongo nut oil, the chosen blend helps set the tone for the ritual. It is this thoughtful harmony of touch, scent and mood that makes the experience feel both deeply personal and genuinely restorative.
GLAMOUR: Personalisation is at the heart of the experience. Could you tell us more about the three shea butter blends and how guests typically choose between African Sunset, African Daybreak and African Storm?
Brenda: Personalisation is one of the most meaningful elements of the Ubusika Ritual, as it invites each guest to begin the experience by tuning into what they need in that moment. These blends come directly from Teranaka’s natural formulations, and each offers a distinct mood and sensory direction.
African Sunset, with jasmine, geranium and chamomile, feels soft and calming, ideal for guests seeking to unwind. African Daybreak, with sweet orange and lime, brings a sense of brightness and renewal, while African Storm, enriched with baobab and mongongo nut oil, offers deeper nourishment and comfort, especially during the colder winter months.
GLAMOUR: The ritual places a strong emphasis on intentional touch and slowing down. Why do you think these elements are increasingly important in today's fast-paced world?
Brenda: In a world shaped by constant movement, connection and digital noise, moments of true stillness have become increasingly rare. This is why intentional touch sits at the heart of the Ubusika Ritual.
We created this treatment to offer more than physical relaxation. Set within the calm of our hillside Spa, it becomes a moment of presence, where every movement, product and pause is considered with care. Through expert touch, intuitive service and a nurturing environment, guests are invited to step away from the pace of everyday life and return to a deeper sense of balance.
GLAMOUR: The Spa incorporates African ingredients such as mafura butter, baobab, mongongo nut oil, and marula. How important is it for Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff to celebrate local and regional wellness traditions?
Brenda: It is incredibly important. Africa has a rich heritage of natural ingredients and wellness traditions that have been used for generations. For us, luxury wellness should feel rooted in its surroundings. By incorporating these elements, we celebrate Africa’s beauty, wisdom, and resources, allowing guests to connect through scent, touch, and the story behind each ingredient.
GLAMOUR: Beyond the treatment itself, guests are encouraged to linger and enjoy the relaxation spaces, pool, sauna, and steam room. How does this extended spa experience contribute to overall well-being?
Brenda: Wellness doesn’t end in the treatment room. The moments before and after are just as important. After the Ubusika Ritual, guests can ease into the Spa’s serene relaxation spaces, spend time beside the heated lap pool, or enjoy the restorative warmth of the sauna and steam room. These moments allow the body to remain relaxed, the mind to settle, and the benefits of the treatment to unfold more deeply.
For those who wish to savour the experience a little longer, we have just introduced a new Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Lounge & Bar, the perfect place to head to after a morning of relaxation, or extend your overall well-being by checking in and enjoying a well-deserved staycation.
GLAMOUR: Couples can enjoy the Ubusika Ritual side by side in the couples' suite. Are you seeing growing interest in shared wellness experiences, and what makes them so meaningful?
Brenda: Yes, we are definitely seeing a growing desire for shared wellness experiences, not only between couples, but also between friends, family members, and guests who want to spend time together in a more considered, restorative way. I think a shared ritual creates space for two people to pause, reconnect, and enjoy the quiet luxury of being cared for side by side. It feels calm, intimate, and restorative.
GLAMOUR: Alongside Ubusika, the Spa is offering Ubuhle Nokuphumula and The African Traveller. How do these rituals cater to different wellness goals and guest preferences?
Brenda: Each ritual has its own purpose. Ubusika focuses on winter restoration: warmth and renewal. Ubuhle Nokuphumula is a four-hour indulgence that celebrates beauty and relaxation. The African Traveller is a sensory journey, rooted in Africa’s richness.
Together, these treatments offer different pathways into wellbeing. Whether a guest is looking for calm, indulgence, reconnection or sensory escape, there is a ritual that meets them where they are.
GLAMOUR: What are some of the most common signs that someone may be overdue for a wellness reset, and how can spa rituals help restore balance?
Brenda: The signs are often quiet at first: a sense of fatigue that rest does not fully ease, tension held in the body, or the feeling of moving through the day without being fully present. A spa ritual offers a considered pause. Through intentional touch, calming scents, nourishing products and a peaceful environment, the body is encouraged to release while the mind is given space to settle.
At the Spa at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, wellness is approached with intuition and care. The intention is not only to create relaxation in the moment, but to restore a sense of balance that guests can carry with them long after they leave the Spa.
GLAMOUR: Luxury wellness continues to evolve globally. What trends are you seeing among South African spa guests, and how is the Spa at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff responding to those expectations?
Brenda: Guests are seeking authentic, meaningful wellness, personalisation, natural ingredients and connection. The Spa responds by offering immersive rituals, tailored to each guest, rooted in Africa’s cultural and botanical richness.
GLAMOUR: For someone considering their first visit to the Spa this winter, what would you say makes the experience at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff uniquely memorable?
Brenda: A first visit to the Spa at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg is memorable for the way each detail comes together: the beauty of the setting, the warmth of the welcome, the expertise of our therapists, and the quiet sense of care woven throughout the experience.
Set above the city, the Spa feels removed from the pace of Johannesburg, while still deeply connected to its setting. Guests leave not only feeling relaxed, but with a renewed sense of ease that stays with them long after they depart.
Review: A much-needed winter reset
After navigating Johannesburg's bustling traffic, arriving at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff feels like stepping into another world. The city's relentless pace fades almost instantly, replaced by birdsong, lush gardens and a sense of quiet that sets the tone for the afternoon ahead.
From the moment I arrive, the hospitality is effortless. A friendly member of staff arranges for a golf cart to whisk me up the winding pathways to the Spa, a thoughtful touch that immediately signals you're about to leave the outside world behind.
Inside, I'm greeted with a warm welcome drink before completing a short consultation form. Soon after, I'm shown to the beautifully appointed changing room, where every detail has been considered. Plush robes and slippers await, while thoughtful amenities—from a hairdryer to luxury toiletries and even dental hygiene essentials—make it easy to freshen up before or after a treatment.
Before my appointment, I settle into the relaxation lounge overlooking the heated pool. Framed by blue Highveld skies and winter sunshine, the view is as restorative as the spa itself. With a steaming cup of herbal tea in hand, I sink into one of the daybeds, feeling my shoulders begin to drop. It feels as though the weather has conspired to create the perfect backdrop for slowing down.
The experience begins with a soothing foot ritual that gently signals the transition from the outside world into a space of complete relaxation. Then it's time for the Ubusika Ritual, the Spa's signature winter treatment inspired by the isiZulu word for winter.
The massage unfolds slowly and intentionally, each movement easing away layers of tension I hadn't realised I was carrying. Warm, nourishing shea butter glides over my skin, while the therapist's intuitive touch feels both deeply therapeutic and incredibly calming. The ritual seamlessly combines massage, skincare and scalp therapy, creating a treatment that is as restorative for the mind as it is for the body.
Somewhere between the grounding back massage and the soothing scalp massage, I drift off completel, a sure sign that my body has surrendered to the experience. For a blissful moment, there are no emails to answer, no deadlines to meet and no traffic to battle, only the comforting rhythm of expert hands and the quiet luxury of uninterrupted stillness.
When the treatment comes to an end, I linger in the relaxation area rather than rushing back to reality. It feels fitting that the Spa encourages guests to take their time, whether that means enjoying the heated pool, sauna and steam room, or simply sitting with another cup of tea while the benefits of the treatment continue to unfold.
The Ubusika Ritual is more than a massage; it's an invitation to embrace winter differently. Rather than resisting the slower pace of the season, it encourages you to lean into it—to pause, reset and reconnect with yourself. By the time I leave, I feel lighter, warmer and noticeably calmer. And as I make my way back into the city, the traffic somehow seems a little easier to face.
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