Getting there is a journey in itself. The property is a four-hour train ride from New Delhi to Haridwar, followed by a pleasant one-hour car journey up into the mountains. Along the way you pass through the pilgrimage town of Rishikesh, where millions travel each year to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. On arrival at the Ananda, you are led into the palace annexe that houses the reception area, suites, library, yoga and meditation rooms, and conference halls. Separate and more modern wings nearby house the accommodation, restaurant and spa.
At the Ananda, the focus is on innovative organic ayurvedic-macrobiotic food, yoga sessions supervised by highly qualified instructors, and plenty of spa treatments. There is a resident nurse, ayurvedic physician and physiotherapist, and both ayurvedic and Western therapies are offered. Treatment rooms are decked out in rich red and saffron colors which represent spirituality in India's far north.
Capture the essence of the Himalayas with treatments beginning with a foot bath in a copper bowl containing rocks collected from the Ganges that give a reflexology-like effect. The ayurvedic wing is extremely thorough and an ayurvedic session always begins with the customary consultation by the physician. It offers a comprehensive range of treatments such as abyanga (synchronized massage therapy), chakradhara (oils poured over the chakras), takradhara (like shirodhara but with buttermilk) and mukh lepa (an ancient Indian facial beauty ritual). In addition, there is an abundance of other treatments, including a full range of massage styles, reiki, hydrotherapies and body therapies.
However, it's not all health-focused, holy and ashram-like. Ananda is fun too! Wine and coffee are served, there is a small golf course, an outdoor squash court, tennis courts and swimming pool—and treks in the surrounding area are offered. But most people find that, after a couple of days at the Ananda, they slow down and begin to find their inner stillness. The Vedic texts say that "what surrounds us is simply a reflection of what resides within"—and surrounded by the peaceful beauty of the Himalayan foothills and the expansive grounds, many guests take time out to contemplate, reflect and give thanks.
The restored Viceregal Paiace provides a dramatic entrance to this destination resort.
SERENO SPA
AT PARK HYATT GOA RESORT
SOUTH GOA, INDIA
A marine facial is one of many treatments on the menu at Sereno Spa at the Park Hyatt. Shimmering with memorable ayurvedic and European traditions, it is regarded as a complete wellness destination.
A sunset stroll along Arossim Beach. Goa has long been known as a soulful place with graceful palms and white beaches, festive celebrations, and a vibrant fusion culture.
If you want to explore the true essence of ayurveda, yoga, meditation and sacred body treatments in their original forms, a visit to India is definitely your karma! India is the birthplace of yoga, meditation, ritual bathing and tantra not to mention dozens of massage styles (the Thai massage style originates from here), so it's little wonder that the country sparkles like a thousand candles on the fast-expanding international spa scene.
Sereno Spa at Park Hyatt Goa combines a five-star luxury hotel experience with a holistic spa. There's something nurturing about knowing you can laze on a lounger by the biggest swimming pool in India, then wander up to the spa and receive a quality treatment where the benefits will linger for days. Communing with nature is the philosophy here: Goa itself wraps around the Arabian Sea and the Park Hyatt is situated on a very long, crisp white sand beach fringed with coconut palms. It offers plenty of solitude, even though there are many facilities. The spa takes its design inspiration from Goa's Portuguese heritage: cool mosaic-tiled Iberian courtyards with fountains and tranquil treatment rooms and an outdoor meditation enclave set in a casuarina grove.
The list of treatments is extensive and authentic. Ayurvedic options include the abhyanga synchronized massage, pizhichil, shirodhara and thakradhara, as well as some less well-known treatments that are not normally found in the West. The choorna swedam is a full body massage: practised with a bolus of herbs and grains, it helps relieve neurological disorders, rheumatism and arthritis. The udwarthanamis is a therapeutic form of dry herbal powder massage that is given with firm pressure and promises to help slim the body, impart mobility to the joints, strengthen muscles and refresh the body. Another unusual therapy is nasyam—based on the theory that stimulation of the limbic system via the olfactory nerves can have a profound effect on mood, emotions, desires, appetite and memories, it involves the application of medicated oils to the nose. During the process the area around the nose, neck, and shoulders is massaged to clear impurities from the head and sinus, reducing tension and promoting relaxation.
An evening ritual where a therapist lights diyas or "little lamps" around the spa lobby. The shirodhara treatment is like "heaven in a cup" for anyone in search of inner calm.
For those serious about detoxification and rebalancing of the body, the five-pronged pancha karma is offered in comforting surrounds. This therapy helps body tissues to release their wastes and toxins and restores the natural function of both tissue and dosha. It is only recommended after consultation with a physician and takes a minimum of seven days. On a more lighthearted note, there is yoga massage, Indian head massage, Shiatsu, a crystal energy healing treatment (see page 133) and a comprehensive range of holistic facial treatments—all given within view of the magnificent beach.
THE ISLAND SPA
AT FOUR SEASONS RESORT MALDIVES
KUDA HURRA, NORTH MALE ATOLL, MALDIVES
What better way to arrive at the Island Spa than by traditional wooden dhoni native boat?
Streams of water flowing from Vichy shower jets represent a gentle monsoon rain during the signature Maldivian Monsoon Ritual.
There is only one way to reach this tropical island spa, and that's by dhoni (a traditional Maldivian wooden boat). Situated on a small sandbar just across the lagoon from Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the water element flows generously throughout this stunning facility. Each of the seven spacious free-standing spa pavilions has massage beds positioned above translucent floors allowing you to observe colorful marine life during treatments. The gentle dhoni trip across tranquil waters helps to relax you before you reach the spa.
The Island Spa menu features a comprehensive range of ayurvedic, Thai and Indonesian treatments as well as skin scrubs inspired by various Asian traditions. The Oceanic Ritual reflects beautifully the essence of this spa resort: blending aroma-therapy with a blue ocean sea salt scrub as well as a mineralizing body mask and ocean bath enriched with salt and citrus blends, it finishes with a coconut milk and vanilla bean elixir.
Another alluring treatment is the Maldivian Monsoon Ritual. Here you are invited to lie on a wooden bed as jets of warm water caress your skin. A ground mix of kela gana, a sandalwood exfoliant, starts your journey and is followed by a soothing rain shower and rosewater rinse. Next, you are treated to a full-body herbal oil massage and a steam bath featuring frankincense. A sandalwood body lotion completes the ritual.
For many, the atolls of the Maldives represent the ultimate tropical seaside holiday. Sun-drenched sensual days, pristine tranquil waters, empty white sand beaches—these are the images we all have in mind. And for once, the dreamy picture-postcard