vWith today’s frenetic pace of life, getaways that offer more than just a plush suite and great room service are increasingly in demand

Ananda in the Himalayas, Rishikesh

Possibly India’s most critically acclaimed wellness resort, with a loyal and dedicated following from around the world, what makes Ananda a must experience destination is the world class quality of service it has maintained for many years. Nestled far away from the madding crowd in the Garhwali mountains in Narendra Nagar, near Rishikesh, the resort is housed in a former palace, surrounded by lush lawns, golf courses, gardens, walkways and mountainous greenery. With 70 rooms, 4 exquisite suites, 3 decadent villas (with personal butler service, kitchens and pools), a state-of-the-art gym, yoga studio, ballroom, open air amphitheatre, a spacious dining room and seemingly unending grounds, Ananda is truly a slice of heaven. The star attraction is the Ananda Spa. After consultations with the doctor, who discusses physical and mental health, every guest’s constituency or dosha is decided, and treatments and diet are planned accordingly. Every dosha has a specific menu for daily meals. The spa offers an expansive range of massage and wellness treatments, which form the integral part of the wellness packages. While Ananda’s longer packages are a hit worldwide, the newly introduced 5-night Detox Starter is an excellent combination of de-stress and rejuvenation, with therapies, massages, yoga, pranayam and spiritual discourse. Every session is an interaction, and the specialists endeavour to make it a personal experience based on the guest’s daily routine, so that the Ananda experience can extend even after your stay, making Ananda truly bucket list material.

Alila Diwa, Goa

Blending effortlessly into its natural setting, the Alila Diwa Goa resort’s aesthetic is all about minimising environmental impact and preserving indigenous ecosystems. All the materials used to build the hotel were locally sourced, and the resort’s architecture is reminiscent of the rich cultural traditions of Goa and helps to cut you off from the madness of city life. The property focusses on rejuvenation and destressing. The Spa Alila has programmes which are designed to help you rediscover your optimum level of wellness, by infusing elements of ayurveda, yoga, massage, fitness, hypnotherapy, Pranic healing and nutrition into your life. Rooms at the Alila start from Rs 11,800 and all treatments and experiential charges are extra.

Atmantan Wellness Centre, Mulshi

Cradled on a hillside overlooking the Mulshi Lake in Maharashtra, surrounded by waterfalls and gorgeous mountains, Atmantan is the perfect place to cleanse and de-stress. The spa hotel offers guests nine scientifically researched and customised all-inclusive wellness programmes, which vary from 3 to 14-night packages. The resort houses 106 plush guest rooms and one villa. The Atmantan Spa offers traditional ayurveda, oriental acupressure and Pranic chakra cleansing therapies, among others. The fitness facility includes a gym, a separate physiotherapy wing, functional studio, indoor spinning studio, an expansive yoga studio and an indoor, temperature controlled, chemicalfree, salt water pool. The wellness packages at Atmantan start at Rs 1.15 lakh for 3 nights (room accommodation), and the Mango Tree villa starts at Rs 2.54 lakh for one person for 3 nights. 

Shreyas Yoga Retreat, Bengaluru

This boutique resort and luxury ashram aims to take its guests on a journey of self-discovery by offering yoga sessions, treatments at the wellness spa, a community service exercise, guided city excursions and village tours. Shreyas offers multiple packages like weight management, Panchakarma, a detox package and a chance to rejuvenate one’s soul with spirituality and philosophy sessions and discussions. The experience offered at this retreat is heavily steeped in the art of storytelling – guests aren’t just subjected to ayurvedic therapy, they are also informed about the legends associated with it. Accommodation starts at Rs 19,000, and all treatments are extra. 

Kalari Rasayana, Kollam

Kalari Rasayana means ‘the song of the lake’, a fitting name considering that the resort is located in the lap of the Paravur backwaters, and surrounded by thick coconut groves and floating mini-islands. Administered by CGH Earth, Ayurveda is of course central to the Kalari Rasayana experience. These treatments range from detox processes such as ghee intake and massages, besides internal and external medicines. The kitchen is managed by a chef dedicated to the preparation of health-inducing food for the guests, using natural and organically grown ingredients. Treatment packages start at Rs 8,000.