South Africa

Two South African spas ranked among the most beautiful in the world

Kirsten Minnaar • 14 April 2026

A new ranking revealed that Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa in Stellenbosch and Oyster Box in Durban were among the top 20 most beautiful spas in the world.

Spa booking agency SpaSeekers.com recently revealed the list of the most beautiful spas in the world, based on a new study that used eye-tracking to rank each spa’s appeal.

Because good looks play a key role in the overall spa experience, the study took images of 50 spas that are often revered online for their eye-catching aesthetics.

They analysed which locations grab people’s attention the quickest and hold it the longest. The results provide one of the most scientific rankings of stunning spas available.

With a total beauty score of 96 out of 100, The Lost Spring day spa in Whitianga, New Zealand, took the crown for being the most beautiful spa in the world.

Featuring geothermal pools formed over 16,000 years ago, lush tropical gardens and treetop spa treatments, the spa boasts a one-of-a-kind experience that visitors have called a “wonderful oasis” and a “must visit”.

The appeal of spas incorporating natural hot springs stands out in the results, as Australia’s award-winning Peninsula Hot Springs and Chena Hot Springs in Alaska also feature in the top five.

Chena Hot Springs boasts a naturally heated outdoor pool, surrounded by snow-capped Alaskan mountains, and visitors may have the chance to see the Northern Lights while relaxing.

Elsewhere, Italy’s five-star Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda offers infinity pool views of Lake Garda, alongside a 4,300 m² spa that includes an extensive range of wellness treatments.

Another top ranker was Hoar Cross Hall in England, which offers a countryside escape set within a 19th-century mansion, with grounds that now feature state-of-the-art jacuzzis, heated beds, saunas, and more.

The table below shows the 20 most beautiful spas in the world, according to SpaSeekers.com.

Rank	Location	Spa	Total score
1	New Zealand	The Lost Spring	96.2
2	Australia	Peninsula Hot Springs	88.7
3	Indonesia	COMO Shambhala Estate	88.4
4	USA	Chena Hot Springs Spa	87.7
5	Italy	Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda	83.8
6	Sri Lanka	Santani Wellness Kandy	82.3
7	New Zealand	Polynesian Spa	82.1
8	Thailand	Mandarin Oriental	82
9	Mauritius	Shanti Maurice	81.7
10	UK	Hoar Cross Hall Spa Hotel	80.2
11	Spain	Cap Rocat Spa	79.4
12	Australia	Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley	77.8
13	New Zealand	Wairakei Terraces & Thermal Health Spa	76.4
14	South Africa	Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa	75.6
15	UK	Carden Park Hotel Spa	73.6
16	South Africa	Oyster Box, Durban Spa	72.6
17	USA	Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa	71.7
18	Thailand	Six Senses Yao Noi	70.5
19	Australia	Gaia Retreat & Spa	69.8
20	USA	Quinn’s Hot Springs Spa	69.1

South Africa’s most beautiful spas

With a score of 75.6, Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa, located in Stellenbosch, ranked 14th among the world’s most beautiful spas.

Located at the highest point of Helshoogte Mountain Pass, Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa offers luxurious accommodations with a private pool. It also has a fitness centre and spa facilities.

Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa boasts elegantly decorated rooms and suites with modern furnishings and Egyptian cotton linens. Each air-conditioned unit features a Butler’s Kitchen, a separate seating area, and a balcony.

Guests can relax in the spa and enjoy a variety of treatments, like hydro-massage baths and aromatherapy. A stunning heated infinity pool is located on the spa’s terrace, with a hot tub and large garden area.

The Hōseki Restaurant, named in honour of the owner of Delaire Graff Estate and legendary diamantaire Laurence Graff.

Its extensive à la carte menu, with additional Omakase dining options – which translates to “I leave it up to you” – offers diners a myriad of contemporary Japanese dishes from which to choose.

Another South African spa, the Oyster Box in Durban, also ranked among the world’s most beautiful spas. With a score of 72.6, it placed 16th.

Overlooking the Umhlanga Lighthouse and Indian Ocean, The Oyster Box is a five-star hotel which forms part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection.

Guests can enjoy elegantly appointed rooms, suites, and villas, some with private patios or plunge pools. The hotel also offers two swimming pools, a private cinema, and a well-equipped gym.

Dining includes The Ocean Terrace, known for its famous curry and seafood buffets, and The Grill Room, offering fine dining in a classic setting.

There are also three distinctive bars – The Oyster Bar, the vintage-style Chukka Bar, and the rooftop Lighthouse Bar with panoramic ocean views.

The spa at The Oyster Box offers an award-winning array of facilities, from serene treatment rooms and a well-equipped fitness centre to a plunge pool overlooking lush gardens and a traditional Middle Eastern hammam.