Vida Nova offers intimate gardens, comfortable rooms, and genuinely warm staff, but the retreat is caught in a difficult transition. Recent guests report ongoing construction, dated interiors, and patchy hospitality. More seriously, management has repeatedly broken promises to event clients and mishandled pet policy questions that led to full cancellations and refusals. Frontline service remains friendly, but leadership appears overwhelmed.
The business lists wedding hosting and massage services, though availability is inconsistent and poorly advertised. Breakfast is 8am only; restaurant facilities are closed or under renovation. Jacuzzis and fireplaces are highlights when they work, but guests have encountered broken heating, faulty lighting, and wasps. Repeated booking contradictions and last-minute reversals (chef withdrawals, glassware availability, pet permissions) suggest systemic communication gaps rather than isolated errors.
Sanet and the Soul team create a tranquil Hout Bay sanctuary for meditation, energy work, and crystal shopping. Visitors consistently praise the serene space, Sanet's healing skill, and the welcoming atmosphere.
Every review across three years praises Kerry's intuitive hands and ability to create a deeply restorative environment. Clients consistently leave feeling profoundly relaxed, with glowing skin and a grounded nervous system. Treatments blend facials, massage, reflexology, and breath work with plant-based products; many mention the space itself as calming and intentional.
Review data is limited. The business operates in Hout Bay and their website lists a 7-day transformational retreat, outdoor activities including yoga, ocean swims, and horseback safari, plus sports training and workplace wellness programmes. Retreat experiences start from £3,500 per person.
Last updated 2026-08-12