Mollies is a boutique hotel with 13 suites, and they are all absolutely divine. Each one is different, full of personal touches (a personal favourite of mine was an old-fashioned birdcage in one of the rooms) and unique art. The hotel is definitely characterised by an air of romance and luxury, filled with candles, chandeliers, vases and flowers, and a baby grand in the foyer. In fact, Mollies was voted by MSN Lifestyle as one of the top 10 places in the world to propose, and that doesnt surprise me at all it is truly a romantic setting. When we left, it was getting dark and the entire foyer and restaurant were lit by candlelight. Thursday to Saturday, there is even live opera in the foyer area to entertain guests. (Remind me to start dropping hints to the boy about taking me here…)
The setting at Mollie's hotel
After our tour, Gracie and I were escorted to the Sanctuary Day Spa, hidden away in the hotel, where we were treated to a luxury Dermalogica facial. Sanctuary Day Spas philosophy is simple it is to pamper you, and they certainly succeed at this. The lovely Fern, who looked after me, is a massage expert so I was also given a neck and shoulder massage while my mask was setting amazing! The spa has a full treatment menu, with everything from massage to waxing to manicures available, and is a peaceful haven located right in the heart of the city. What more could you want? After our facial, we then sat down to a glass of champagne and some nibbles we even enjoyed homemade biscuits courtesy of Joannas mum (and they were delicious!) Sanctuary Spa also offers a selection of packages, such as the Spa Lunch package, offering a 30 minute massage, mini facial, mini manicure and pedicure followed by a 2 course lunch with a glass of wine at the Mollies restaurant.
FashioNZ editor Natalie and Beauty Bible editor Gracie relaxing before their facials
At the Sanctuary Day Spa and Mollies there is a real emphasis on making clients feel special I left feeling truly relaxed, but also like I had been treated to a real piece of luxury. Mollies have a range of accommodation and function packages available, offering everything from a romantic getaway for two, to weddings, to private events such as birthdays or hens parties. I would definitely recommend that if you are looking for a really special way to celebrate perhaps youre organising your best friends hens party, or have a special birthday coming up, then do it at Mollies. Why not organise a spa session for the girls, followed by a fabulous gourmet dinner at the restaurant? The opulence and decadence of Mollies and the Sanctuary Day Spa truly makes you feel special, and if you want to treat yourself or a friend or loved one, I recommend you try it out. Im already planning an afternoon at the spa with my mum in the next few weeks, because to be honest, I just cant wait to go back there!
Guests enjoying treatments at the Sanctuary Day Spa
For more information on Mollies and the Sanctuary Day Spa, visit www.mollies.co.nz
By Natalie Cosgrove