With years of experience managing top spas in South Africa and abroad, qualified aesthetician and somatologist Jared Hines was perfectly positioned to start his own spa after noticing a gap in the market. He envisioned a space where men could access a full range of services in a high-quality setting prioritising male grooming needs and providing dedicated treatments.
Says Hines about pursuing the idea: "Men were starting to come to the spa of their own accord. It was clear they wanted a space focused on their needs – somewhere they could feel comfortable and receive high-quality, tailored services."
In 2023 Hines opened Bolton House in Rosebank; a carefully curated space for men’s grooming and wellness, offering a refreshing departure from the typical, fast-paced barber shop model we're accustomed to.
Not your average barbershop – Bolton House near Rosebank
This 1920s house has been thoughtfully transformed into a unique Karoo-chic salon with wooden floors and stylish, contemporary touches that bring the space firmly into the present day.
When Hines reached out to invite us to Bolton House, our curiosity was piqued – given that tailored spaces for men such as this one are relatively rare in the city. Chatting to Hines, he tells us, "There is nothing like what we offer with the same level of experience, service, and quality when it comes to men's barbering and spa treatments."
Since it was launched, Bolton House is growing into a space that's about more than just grooming. "We want to grow this into a lifestyle space for men," says Hines. "We've already started hosting monthly poker nights, and we have plans to expand into more offerings and new locations." It's a vision rooted in community and quality – values that have shaped the space from day one.
What has Hines learned since opening? "That people want quality. They can tell if your staff and products are top-tier. If you respect their time and money and offer real value, they’ll keep coming back," he says.
What's on offer – treatments at Bolton House
In terms of barbering services, Bolton House offers haircuts, shaves, and beard grooming. If you're looking for a little more than your usual number two cut, you can opt for a facial, massage, peel, manicure and/or pedicure, as well as waxing. While Bolton House was designed with men in mind, and as such, men make up the primary clientele base, Hines tells us that there are women clients who visit too. The professional spa services are open to anyone seeking expert treatments, regardless of gender. If you enjoy the atmosphere, there's nothing to stop you from popping in. Each experience lasts approximately 45 minutes. See the full list of treatments on offer here.Our experience – haircut, facial, and manicure
During our visit, we got to try out a haircut, manicure, and facial. The haircut by Hines, who does a bit of everything and keeps the atmosphere easy and relaxed, was good – but as with any new barber, it takes time to find your rhythm. Although Hines was attentive and followed directions closely, it didn’t quite hit the mark this writer is used to. (Normally, he'd never cheat on his regular barber, but this was an exception.) At Bolton House, Chad Pietersen is your go-to guy for extreme fades and more technical barbering. While the haircuts here are on the pricier side, the personable, friendly energy of the team adds to the overall experience.
Hair done, it was time for deeper relaxation and pampering. The facial was well over 45 minutes and involved a face wash, scrub, hot towels, and the application of high-quality serums. While Hines did our facials, Malusi Luthuli worked on our nails at the same time. The treatments were so relaxing that we were tempted to doze off at this point. The manicure was all about giving one's hands a bit of extra TLC. We received a hand massage and hand scrub and got our nails filed. Both the facial and manicure were top-tier – refreshing, unrushed, and done with care. These are treatments we wouldn't hesitate to return for.
An inviting space – team and atmosphere
If a visit to a place like Bolton House is a little out of your comfort zone, rest assured: the staff will make you feel right at home. Working alongside Jared Hines are therapist and barber Malusi Luthuli and master barber Chad Pietersen. Hines wears many hats – from co-owner to lead therapist and barber. All the staff are super friendly and help ease you into the experience. While the atmosphere at barbershops can be frenetic at times, our manicure by Luthuli and the facial by Hines, plus the light chatter in-between, made for an altogether relaxing experience.
Co-owner (and publisher of Hello Joburg magazine) Justyn Spinner handles the operational and administrative side of things.
Planning your visit
The only two important things to do before your experience kicks off: confirm your appointment at the front desk and choose a beverage of your choice (there are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options). We opted for a whisky, but if coffee's your poison they have that too. You'll then be escorted to the main salon area for your treatment.
For those with sensitivities or particular requirements when it comes to brands and products, Bolton House has its own brand of beard care products used on-site. London Grooming is used for hair care, Naked Cherry for waxing, and SKNlogic for skin care services.
Book for Bolton House – location and contact details
Bolton House is located at 36 Bolton Road, Parkwood.Contact them via email jared@boltonhouse.co.za, phone +27 79 417 1424, or book your appointment online here.
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