Overrated. Definitely don’t cater for the bigger girl

Original email was sent 11 March. Received acknowledgment and that was the LAST. See copy of email below. Good evening Africology team

I have included Africology JHB Head office. I have been contemplating this email for the past 13 days. I was debating with myself to send this email OR do a public review.

I recently had my appointment in Constantia, on 25 February at 10:00. Booking for: manicure, pedicure and the valentine special. 3 treatments.

I feel the need to mention before I continue, I have been wanting to visit an Africology Spa for the past 2 yrs. Because my family knew this, they pitched in to give me a substantial gift card to the value of R1500. They drove all the way from Durbanville to Constantia for over an hr (one direction) to get this gift card for me. I was elated at Christmas time. I became a fan of Africology in 2022 when a dear friend of mine came to visit me while I was bed ridden after breaking my ankle on both sides and gifted me with balm. She happens to work for a very influential person who only uses Africology in her hotel in Graaff-Reinet. And that is where I fell in love with the product.

Back to the actual reason of my email. Initially my enquiry started at the wrong branch. Although I chose Constantia online for my enquiry, I ended up with the Maslow Team. But they were quite accommodating and redirected me to Constantia. However, before we discovered that my enquiry was at the wrong branch, they had responded to one of my main concerns. (I will attach a screenshot of that correspondence). I expressed concern about gowns. I made it clear that I am on the larger side and would not want to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable when I get to the Spa. As per attached screenshot, you will see that the Africology team reassured me that “we do have suitable gowns to accommodate you and ensure you feel comfortable throughout your experience “. Now… this response was from the Maslow branch BUT I would most definitely expect that this is a standard across ALL branches and surely NOT only their branch has gowns to accommodate large people. Thankfully, my inner voice told me to pack my own gown in. Unfortunately I only have a black winter gown. At reception I received a warm welcome. Beautiful space. The calming sense. Smells! Heaven. All was deflated when I got to the dressing room. Locker 14. The gown was Small! Very very small actually. Probably for a size 8 maybe a size 10. I walked to reception and mentioned this. The lady scrambled for another locker key. Very Disappointed, that gown wasn’t much bigger. Reception saw me when I walked in initially! She saw my size. How did she not then and there realize she had a problem on hand. I took my car key, walked past reception and fetched my own gown from the car. Staff really did NOT seem fazed about this. I got changed and was directed to the waiting area. More clients arrived. There I was sitting in my own black winter gown sticking out like a sore thumb. The massage / valentines package was 1st. The massage lady, tried to solve the gown issue and asked for another gown. Which was a tad small. I decided to stick to my own. She did mention and offered the winter gowns. Said they were definitely bigger. At that point I was already peed off and said no thank you. After the massage she left me to change back into gown. When I left the room, there were other staff standing in the passage. One of them being the “kitchen” staff. Most friendly and directed me to the mani / pedi station. However, I was not given a break of sorts. To enjoy my fruit salad and non-alcoholic drink. My manicure was started straight away. I tried to drink and eat while my hands were being attended to. Mani was done BUT no drying time was allowed. With wet / damp nails I was moved to the pedicure station. Clearly noticing I had imprinted the material from my gown on the nails. At this point I didn’t even say anything. I had given up and wanted to be done. I started developing a massive headache. They brought me coffee. Greatful. Pedicure continued. Once again NO drying time. I was asked if I brought open shoes. Spa flip flops were put on. I was directed back to the changing room. They did mention in a “by the way” I can relax in the lovely garden for a while. However, by this time I had managed to drink most of my drink and eat most of the fruit salad. I thought it best to leave. I kept my hands out the garden and yet my cutex lasted 5 days. Before I removed it all myself.

Now this email is a mouthful. Couple if chapters long. If and what will come from it, I don’t know.

What I do know is, I came home and made sure I was smiling ear to ear to show my absolute appreciation to my boys for the beautiful gift. I was asked when am I going again because my daughter-in-law would love to go with and take her mom as well. I chose to point out the massive traffic to get there. Which initially took me 1hr and 40min from Durbanville to Constantia. Because of heavy traffic. But In all honesty, if it wasn’t for the unpleasant experience, I would ensure to make my appointment a bit later so that the traffic was less. Sadly, very sadly I find myself deflated and disappointed. Regards