The Spa Listing
Take your pick from our selection of the best spas in your region.
India is fast becoming a much sought-after spa destination, a mere decade after the first tentative steps in that direction. There is now a plethora of choices available, and these are the spas that, we believe, are the pick of the lot. One thing is for certain— you will exit any one of these feelings thoroughly revitalised. Read on.
THE NORTH
Ananda in the Himalayas
Grounded in Ayurveda, yoga and vedanta, and combining the purest of indigenous essential oils, clay and vegetable oils, Ananda, for years, has been the ultimate escape from the mundane to the spiritual.
Ananda in the Himalayas, The Palace Estate Narendra Nagar, Tehri Garhwal; 1378-227500 The Aman Spa, New Delhi
In keeping with the renowned Aman touch, their treatments— a mix of Swedish and Thai massages, reiki, acupressure and deep tissue techniques—keep you firmly ensconced in luxury.
The Spa at The Aman, New Delhi; 011-43633335
therapy improves circulation, stimulates, relaxes and cleanses the body.
Courtyard by Marriott, 564, Anna Salai, Chennai; 044-66764000 Punnamada Serena Spa Resort, Alleppey, Kerala
The Ayurveda special treatments here can treat ailments such as arthritis, while providing stress management and general rejuvenation therapies.
Punnamada Serena Spa Resorts, Alleppey, Kerala; 0477-2233690/91/92/93
THE WEST
Shanti Spa at the Trident, Mumbai
The spa’s fabulous couples package of two 2.5-hour-long treatments—“The Spirit of Ayurveda” and “Mumbai Masala”—and an antioxidant & cleansing massage, are a must-do.
Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai; 022-66325757 Spa at The Four Seasons, Mumbai
Spread over eight treatment rooms, this spa takes the edge off manic Mumbai with various treatments.
The Four Seasons Hotel, 114 Dr E. Moses Road, Worli, Mumbai; 022-24818005 Jean Claude Biguine Spa, Mumbai
Biguine is a rage in Mumbai, so much so that the company has now opened a second salon and spa at High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel. The French brand has brought down its signature spa treatment, the French Relaxing Massage, which should not be missed.
Jean Claude Biguine, 8, Chapel Road, next to Lilavati Barista, Bandra (West), Mumbai; 022-65222211 The Spa at Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Set in a regal suite overlooking the stunning Lake Pichola, the Oberoi spa lets you indulge in some of the best Ayurvedic spa treatments available in the country.
Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, Rajasthan; 0294-243 3300 Park Hyatt Resort and Spa, Goa
Known as one of the best beach spa resorts in the country, Park Hyatt Goa is the largest spa in India at 36,000 sq. ft. The best thing: the hotel introduces a new spa menu every two months.
Park Hyatt Goa Resort and Spa, Arossim Beach, Cansaulim, South Goa; 0832-2721234
Kaya Kalp, The Royal Spa at The ITC Mughal, Agra The Royal Mughal Hamam, with its kese body scrub, the argan oil mung bean soap massage and the rejuvenating scalp massage, is like no other.
Kaya Kalp at The ITC Mughal, Agra, UP; 0562-2331701 Harnn, New Delhi
The Thai brand, a hit with the swish set, is famous for its Jasmine therapy, a mix of aromatherapy massage, Jasmine body exfoliation, and a water lily purifying facial.
Harnn, Metropolitan Mall, Saket, New Delhi; 011-45682001 Espace at Radisson MBD, Noida
The spa boasts treatments ranging from Dead Sea mineral scrubs and wraps to apricot body scrubs that cleanse, exfoliate and refresh. Also on offer are holistic treatments drawn from Ayurveda.
The Radisson MBD, Sector 18, Noida, UP; 0120-4300000
THE SOUTH
Arogya Spa at The Lalit Ashok, Bangalore
Arogya day package at The Lalit Ashok, Bangalore, should be experienced. A lifestyle consultation with experts, traditional Indian massages—the spa has it all.
The Lalit Ashok, Kumara Krupa High Grounds, Bangalore; 080-30527777
Amanvana Spa, Coorg
A retreat in Coorg, Amanvana Spa’s treatments are known for their Indian touch—from spices to warm herbal oils, they offer the best treatments in this part of the country.
Amanvana Spa—Luxury Boutique
Spa Resort, (Unit of Coorg Holiday Resort), Post Box No. 21, Coorg; 08276-279353/54/55
The Spa at the Leela
Kempinski, Trivandrum When in Kerala, go the natural way. And so, at Leela Kempinski, Ayurvedic massages like the Karkidaka Chikitsa, that increases vitality, are much in demand.
The Leela Kempinski, Kovalam Beach, Trivandrum, Kerala; 0471-2480101
Courtyard by Marriott, Chennai The Swedish massage at Courtyard is well known. This special European 0 0 MORE O C T O B E R 2 0 0 9 Royalty: Kaya Kalp at The ITC Mughal, Agra Chic comfort: Aura spa at The Park, Kolkata
THE EAST
Club Prana, Hyatt Regency, Kolkata
Club Prana is the ultimate urban spa. Relieve your stress from a wide variety of treatments—from Swedish massage to the signature Prana massage. Hyatt Regency, JA-1 Sector III, Salt Lake City, Kolkata; 033-23351234
Spa at The Oberoi Grand, Kolkata
A grand old hotel deserves a spa like this. Take your pick from a wide array of massages, scrubs and signature treatments. The Oberoi Grand, 15, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, Kolkata; 033-22492323
Aura Spa at The Park, Kolkata The Park’s Aura Spas are justly wellknown. Sticking to a no-nonsense list of tried and tested treatments, they are among the country’s best. The Park, 17 Park Street, Kolkata; 033-2249 9000
Ri Kynjai Spa, Shillong
A jewel of the North East, Ri Kynjai draws on Khasi traditions for a wide variety of great treatments. Definitely out of the ordinary, and unlike any other spa in the country.
Ri Kynjai Resort, Umniuh Khwan, Shillong, Meghalaya; 9862420300
