Resort to Wellness with Luxury

Three top spas to visit in India and Maldives

SWARNENDU BISWAS

People have become more conscious about health and wellness, more so during the pandemic. With tourism getting back on its feet, spa resorts are expected to gain new popularity among the well-heeled. Here we have a brief overview of three of the many luxury spa resorts in India and Maldives.

Take Ananda in the Himalayas, an award-winning luxury destination spa resort situated at the Himalayan foothills, near Rishikesh in Uttrakhand state. Located on a palace estate that spreads across 100 acres, Ananda is nestled in sal forests and overlooks the spiritual town of Rishikesh, by which meanders the tranquil green Ganga river. It is regarded by many as one of the best spa resorts on the planet.

Find Your Bliss In 2020, Ananda in the Himalayas had been ranked as the No. 1 Destination Spa in the World by Condé Nast — Readers’ Choice Awards (USA & UK) and the Favorite Destination Spa by the Condé Nast Traveller, India — Readers’ Travel Awards. The spa resort has won other prestigious awards over the years, too. It integrates traditional wellness regimes of Ayurveda, yoga and Vedanta, with international wellness experiences, fitness and healthy organic cuisine, resulting in holistic well-being. At the spa, which covers 24,000 square feet, you

can explore an extensive menu of more than 80 body and beauty treatments.

The Ayurvedic healing experience is not to be missed. Qualified Ayurveda doctors and therapists administer treatments, ranging from therapeutic massages to more rigorous toxic elimination. The Ayurvedic therapies at Ananda are rooted in traditions, while keeping in mind contemporary preferences and comforts.

The spa experience aims to bring about a wonderful harmony between the physical and the mental realms of the individual, thereby giving a soul-uplifting experience.

One of the Ayurvedic therapies offered at Ananda In The Himalayas is Shirodhara. In it, lukewarm herbal oil poured in an even stream on the forehead pacifies and revitalizes the mind and body. Besides being intensely rejuvenating, it is believed to have anti-aging effects and improve memory. The resort asserts that the remedy can address neurological disorders, and normalize sleep patterns and blood pressure. Of course, it takes many sessions to achieve the desired results.

Spa by the Backwaters Situated on the shores of Vembanad Lake, the longest backwater lake in Kerala, The Zuri Kumarakom, Kerala Resort & Spa offers fascinating views of the serene backwaters of Kerala. At this resort you can not only enjoy the colorful local culture and mouth-watering cuisine, and the rich flora and fauna, but can also pamper yourself at the hospitality property’s Maya Spa. Here you can choose from a range of Ayurvedic, Western and Eastern therapies to rejuvenate your jaded nerves.

One Ayurvedic massage is the Marma massage. It is a traditional Kerala Ayurvedic full-body massage believed to stimulate the vital energy points of the body, refreshing them by releasing the blockages in energy flow.

One Ayurvedic therapy, Udwarthanam, claims to fight obesity. In it, warmed dry herbal powders are scrubbed vigorously into the skin to melt away subcutaneous fat. The scrub could invigorate the skin through exfoliation.

Unwind at the Reef High-end spa lovers who are planning a visit to the sun-washed, sea-caressed Maldives can try the Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa, Maldives. Located on the heart-shaped Hembadhu island,

the hospitality property is on a thousand-year old coral atoll. A 45-minute ride on a speed boat can get you from Velana International Airport to this opulent, environmentally conscious resort comprising 62 luxurious thatched-roof villas.

After indulging in water activities such as diving and swimming, and enjoying dolphin cruises and snorkeling parties, visitors can unwind and rejuvenate in the luxurious Jiva Spa.

One signature experience, Jivanya-Invigorate, which lasts two hours, 120 minutes, aims to relieve muscular tension and improve blood circulation. This treatment includes an exfoliating herbal scrub of exotic spices and herbs from the hills of India, a heat-stimulating wrap, and a revitalizing massage.

Another experience, Soundarya, lasts five hours! This therapeutic experience begins with a deep nourishing scrub followed by a wrap of the guest’s choice. A soothing aromatherapy massage and a nourishing facial that follows can leave her/his skin feeling supple and radiant. The experience is heightened with a spa manicure and pedicure, all this while one sips on a warm cup of green tea and enjoys the goodness of a fresh fruit.

So, if you are planning for a trip to India or Maldives to get over the boredom of being cooped up in home for large parts of 2020 and 2021, get a luxurious dosage of wellness at one of these spa resorts.