A visit to the spa can make your business travel more productive. Akanksha Maker shortlists ten Indian spas and their treatments that might do the trick
Being a frequent corporate traveller means minimal time for indulgence at your destination. However, an increasing number of business people are choosing to spend time at hotel spas during their work travels. The Four Seasons, Mumbai spa director Martin Hilton comments, “Business travellers are indeed a very important market for us and represent around 40 per cent of our spa revenues. We are certainly witnessing business travellers using and enjoying spa services more and more.” Hotel spas nowadays offer treatments which are well-suited to fit your busy schedules. Below is a list of 10 spas and their treatments for some express rejuvenation while you globe-trot for business.
KAYA KALP SPA AT
ITC GRAND CHOLA, CHENNAI
Overview
Chennai is the business hub of south India and ITC Grand Chola is a befitting property in the heart
of the city for corporate travellers because of its
wide range of business and leisure facilities. This includes its Kaya Kalp spa that is spread across 2,155 sqm of therapy rooms, lounge, sauna and steam rooms. Inspired by the Chola dynasty (one of the longest running dynasties of ancient south India), the spa treatments emulate the philosophy of the hotel. Long-stay business travellers at the ITC have dedicated masseuses and get a discount on their preferred treatments, each time they visit.
Timings 7am to 10pm
Treatment to consider Spiritual Tatvasamyam
Duration 1.5 hours
Cost ₹1,162
A heavy day of meetings or a late night of entertaining clients can disorient any business traveller. This treatment is designed to align the body’s five elements into a balanced state (Tatvasamyam means balancing five elements of nature — air, fire, water, earth and space) to help improve focus, and eliminate lethargy. The treatment is divided into six steps, which begins with yoga. Hindus believe in the third eye, which is located on the forehead. The next part of this treatment targets the Ajna chakra (third eye) by placing a gauze soaked in Indian herbs on this part. Abhyanga follows, which is a synchronised massage that is performed by two therapists. This massage helps release stress and relieves fatigue. A skin exfoliation, herbal steam and an application of herbal powder on the crown of the head ends the treatment.
SPA AT LEELA PALACE BANGALORE
Overview
Spread across 1,858 sqm, the spa at Leela Palace Bangalore is a good option for business travellers looking to de-stress at India’s IT city. The spa offers a mix of European, Eastern and Ayurvedic therapies and uses anti-stressing, aroma-therapy oils combined with the ESPA range of skin-products.
Timings 6am to 10:30pm
Treatment to consider Executive Stress Tonic
Duration 1.5 hours
Cost ₹5,000
This treatment is especially designed to target tension in the lower back, shoulders, neck, hands and eyes that is a direct result of time spent in a seated position (either on a plane or on a desk). A dry massage, that can even be taken with your clothes on, helps relieve stress and targets various points simultaneously. An eye treatment to alleviate eye strain follows a hand and arm massage. A scalp massage that helps soothe headaches, ends this therapy.
SPA AT FOUR SEASONS, MUMBAI
Overview
‘A well kept secret’ is what the spa at Four Seasons, Mumbai is known to be. The management noticed the recurrent requests from business travellers to use the spa in the after hours and decided to pay heed to it by launching a night spa. It offers treatments between 10pm and 4am. The night spa offers three Asian massages called Ojas, Tulaa and Mukta. A membership with the hotel’s wellness facilities can offer a 10 per cent discount on treatments.
Timings 9am to 10pm
Night Spa 10pm to 4am
Treatment to consider Shiro Mardhana
Duration 30 minutes
Cost ₹3,000
The famous Indian head-massage is known to relieve many ails such as headaches, eye-strain and stress. The Shiro Mardhana, literally translating to head massage, is Four Seasons’s luxe version of this household treatment. Circular movements using medicated oils target the head and shoulders that help relieve tension in the forehead, eyes and temples. The medicated oil also helps nourish the scalp and encourage hair-growth.
JIVA SPA AT TAJ RAMBAGH PALACE, JAIPUR
Overview
The Jiva spa at the Taj Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital takes you back to days of flourishing Indian royalty with its decor, feel and spa menu. A reflection of the city, the traditional rugs and chandeliers add to its old-world charm. Most of the treatments are common across all Jiva spas in India, however the Taj Rambagh Palace in Jaipur has additional ones that emulate Rajasthani culture. Timings 9am to 9pm
Treatment to consider Vishrama
Duration 2 hours
Cost ₹11,000 (plus taxes)
Vishrama literally translates to rest in Sanskrit; and that’s exactly the objective of this massage. Muscle soreness and knotted nerves are targeted with this muscular therapy that aids relaxation. Hot compresses of Indian herbs and oil blends are used with thumb strokes alternating with hand-movements to realign the body’s energy flow. The result is stretched muscles and relieved nerves that help you sleep better.
SPA AT THE PARK, KOLKATA
Overview
In the vicinity of the pool bar and deck lies the Aura spa at the Park, Kolkata. Perhaps the most ideally located hotel in the city, The Park is popular amongst corporate travellers, families and tourists alike. Designed in shades of red, yellow, green and blue, the spa is aesthetically harmonious with the rest of the hotel.
Timings 7am to 9:30pm
Treatment to consider Stress Buster
Duration 1 hour
Cost ₹3,200 (plus taxes)
I had a chance to experience this treatment during my time at The Park, Kolkata, after a long day of meetings. As the name suggests, it helped bust out my work stress and the massage felt equivalent to eight hours of sleep. This treatment can be customised to address your aches with synchronised movements that work on nerves, joints and muscles. The rosemary, peppermint and geranium oils add to the rejuvenating effect of this treatment.
SPA AT JW MARRIOTT SAHAR, MUMBAI
Overview
The spa menu of JW Marriott’s newly opened Sahar property (next to Mumbai’s international airport) has been keenly designed keeping in mind corporate travellers that make up the majority of their guests. They offer express treatments that start at 12 minutes (scalp and shoulders massage) and have collaborated with Aromatherapy Associates London for their products.
Timings 24 hours
Treatment to consider Sleep Deeply
Duration 1 hour/1.5 hours
Cost ₹4,350/₹5,350
As the name suggests, the massage is designed to induce peaceful sleep for business travellers who are fighting jet-lag after flights. This therapeutic treatment that uses oils from Aromatherapy Associates London is designed to help the body achieve a sense of balance and regain stability leading to relaxation and better sleep.
ZEHEN SPA AT THE MANOR, DELHI
Overview
Known as the ‘centre for well-being’, Zehen at The Manor hotel in Delhi offers a host of programmes that help you manage your fitness and nutrition regime. The ground-level of Zehen is their spa, which stands out because of its interesting menu. For instance, Zehen offers hydrotherapy massages (Watsu Water Massage), which can be taken in its in- house pool, to enhance blood circulation and relieve muscle tension.
Timings 7am to 10pm
Treatment to consider Jetlag Cure
Duration 1.5 hours
Cost ₹5,200
One of the most common grievances of a frequent business traveller is jet-lag. Zehen has designed a special therapy that minimises the effects of long- distance travel. The Jet-lag Cure regulates spinal pressures and pushes the nervous system to reset the body clock. The ingredients used for the massage are known to target specific troubles; juniper berry and rosemary bring mental clarity and cleanse the kidneys and hile sandalwood and camomile aid in calming the mind triggering some deep sleep post your travel.
Weekend getaway spa resorts
ANANDA SPA IN THE HIMALAYAS
Overview
If you have a few days to spare and are looking for a getaway from the city bustle, then Ananda Spa in the Himalayas might be a good option for you. A 40 minute drive from ?ehrad?n ??ehrad?n has direct ?ights from Delhi/Mumbai), Ananda Spa is located in Narendranagar of Uttarakhand state. The spa also has its private helipad for those loo?ing to avoid road?travel. ?nanda offers a wide range of treatment packages which are for longer d?rations and can be combined with its fitness and healing experiences. The spa sprawls across 2,200 sqm and the treatment rooms face the picturesque Himalayas.
Timings 7am to 8pm
Treatment to consider Ananda Stress Management Programme
Duration 5 nights/7 nights
Cost ₹22,000/₹20,000 onwards five day programme, ?nanda Stress ?anagement Programme has been designed to include philosophies of yoga, mediation and Ayurveda to create positive changes
for stress management. The programme includes sessions of aromatherapy massages, reflexology treatments, reiki (Japanese healing technique), Tibetan massages, personalised yoga sessions and a few more therapies that can be personalised as per your schedule and needs.
SIX SENSES SPA AT JAYPEE GOLF & SPA RESORT, GREATER NOIDA
Overview
Not too far away from New Delhi spread across 9,000 sqm is the Six Senses Spa at Jaypee Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida. Around the world, Six Senses Spa is well-known for their treatments, and its Greater Noida property lives up to this reputation. The space has 23 treatment rooms, equipped with Bose speakers that allow personalised music to be played. This is ideal for business travellers in the city who are looking for a quick but practical getaway (Greater Noida is just an hour away from central Delhi).
Timings 9am to 9pm
Treatment to consider Sensory Hot Stone Experience
Duration 1.2 hours
Cost ₹6,900
Basalt stones retain heat for longer durations and its smooth surface doesn’t trouble the skin — the reason why they are used for massaging purposes worldwide. This Tibetan face and body massage uses stones over muscles to relax and tighten them. It helps remove blockages, improve blood circulation and alleviate stress. This is a dry massage and can also be taken with clothes on.
MAYA SPA AT THE ZURI KUMARAKOM, KERALA
Overview
Set in “God’s own country”, the Maya spa at The Zuri Kumarakom, Kerala is ideal for business travellers who have a few days off on a work ??trip down sou?th. Not only is it one of the largest spas of southern India, it’s also set on the Vembanad lake, making it a visual treat. It is a good option if you wish to experience authentic Ayurvedic treatments, that Kerala is known for. Cochin is the closest international airport that’s located about 85 km away. It can also be accessed by train via Kottayam railway station, that is about 16 km away.
Timings 8am – 8pm
Treatment to consider Choorna swedanam
Duration 1 hour
Cost ₹3,000 (plus taxes)
A traditional Ayurveda treatment of Kerala, the Choorna swedanam begins with the application of warm linen pouches which are soaked in medicinal oils and herbs, across the body. This is a fomentation therapy focused on joints and muscles, that is conducted to induce sweat, which helps relieve bac?ache, stiff ?oints, nec? and sho?lder pains. This therapy is also recommended for patients of arthritis and requires three to seven sessions for relief from symptoms.
