India is the birthplace of Yoga and Ayurveda, so there is no wonder why it is home to the top luxury wellness spas in the world. Whether you are looking to relax and rejuvenate, or to release and reset, you’ll find the perfect place to immerse yourself in the beauty and magic of this exotic destination.
Here are the top seven luxury wellness resorts you should keep handy when planning your next trip to India.
1. Ananda in the Himalayas (Haridwar, Uttarakhand)
Ananda is an award-winning luxury destination spa resort situated at the Himalayan foothills in Northern India. Located on the 100-acre Maharaja’s Palace Estate, Ananda is surrounded by graceful Sal forests and overlooks the spiritual town of Rishikesh and the Ganges river valley.
Treatments & Therapies:
One of the best luxury wellness retreats in India, Ananda integrates traditional Ayurveda, Yoga, and Vedanta with international wellness experiences, fitness, and healthy organic cuisine to restore balance and harmonize energy.
In addition to Ayurveda therapies, the spa menu includes destress, detox, and anti-ageing treatments, as well as treatments for healing particular ailments and chakra balancing. In addition, there are 24 treatment rooms and a panel of therapists, nutritionists, physicians, and fitness experts to pamper guests in every way possible.
Highlights: Amenities include a fitness center, swimming pool, luxury multi-cuisine restaurant, Ayurvedic cuisine, and yoga & meditation center. You also have the opportunity to explore the nearby villages, adventure out on nature walks, partake in Ganga aarti — a devotional offering to the River Goddess, and enjoy a wildlife safari.
2. Carnoustie Ayurveda and Wellness Resort (Mararikulam, Kerala)
Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort is nestled on the shores of Arabian Sea, 12 miles away from the pristine backwaters of Alappuzha. The resort is situated on Marari Beach and has 40 luxury villas for a comfortable stay. Ayurvedic and spa treatments are customized per the needs and requirements of each guest in order to enhance their inner selves. It also includes Ayurvedic diet for quick recovery and maximum benefits.
Treatments & Therapies:
Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort is often visited by tourists from all over the world to experience the holistic healing process for renewal of mind, body, and soul. It also has programs for rejuvenation, enhancing beauty, body purification, anti-stress, and slimming. Snehana Therapies, Abhyangam, Uzhichil, Panchakarma, and many other Ayurvedic treatments are offered to relieve stress and generate positivity from within. All these therapies work well in combination with yoga and meditation.
Highlights:
Extensive gardens growing Ayurvedic herbs, yoga, meditation, and chanting hall, well-stocked library, music and cultural performances, and a house boat available for relaxing cruises on the Punnamada and Vembanad Lakes.
3. Hilton Shillim (Shilim, Maharashtra)
Awarded as the “Best Luxury Wellness Spa” in Asia and “Best Luxury Emerging Spa,” Hilton Shillim Retreat Spa is one of the best spas and Ayurveda resorts in India. The beautiful retreat snuggled in the lap of lush Western Ghats offers a wide range of pampering treatments. Spread over 70 acres of lush grounds that harmonize your senses, Hilton Shillim is the perfect getaway for indulging in the benefits of pampering.
Treatments & Therapies:
Hilton Shillim Spa offers treatments and therapies from healing traditions of Ayurveda, along with yoga, acupressure, Reiki, pranic healing, chakra cleansing, meditation, naturopathy, hydrotherapy, watsu, and pilates. In addition, feel the benefits of detox, rejuvenation, Ayurvedic rejuvenation, anti-aging, beauty enhancement, and holistic wellness.
Highlights: 17 treatment rooms, meditation caves, relaxation center, salon, hydrotherapy tubs, restaurant overlooking the misty mountains, Shillim Institute with cooking school, and dance, music and pottery studios, as well as star gazing to jungle trekking for the more adventurous.
4. Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort, Kerala (Kovalam, Kerala)
Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort is the world’s first Ayurveda hospital set in a resort ambiance and is ranked among the best Ayurveda destinations in India. Set on a tropical garden with a prime beachfront location in South India, Somatheeram offers a getaway from the city for those who desire the benefits of natural health and wellness.
Treatments & Therapies:
Treatments at Somatheeram are administered from ancient Ayurveda, the Vedic science of health and wellness, by a team of Ayurveda doctors, yoga experts, and therapists. Treatments, massages, healing exercises, and diet regimes are devised after a detailed prognosis, with additional services for rejuvenation, detoxification, slimming, stress-management, anti-aging, and beauty care.
Highlights:
Traditional Kerala cottages, on-site restaurant with special Ayurveda menu, yoga centre, Ayurveda Spa, and courses at the Ayurveda Academy. In addition, guests can enjoy beach visits, sightseeing tours, sprawling lush gardens, boat tours in the backwaters, and daily yoga classes.
5. Shreyas Retreat, RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX (Bangalore, Karnataka)
Rated as one of the finest yoga retreats in the world, Shreyas is dedicated to self- discovery and rejuvenation. Shreyas is a seamless blend of the modern and the timeless, sumptuousness and simplicity, indulgence and enlightenment where guests can practice yoga in luxurious and elegant surroundings. The small number of rooms preserves the intimacy and serenity of this large refuge. Guests can delve into ancient Indian texts, meditation techniques, and Ayurveda. Revitalising massages, organic farming, cultural tours, and community service are also available during your stay.
Treatments & Therapies:
Shreyas gives you a unique insight into yoga, irrespective of whether you are a beginner or have years of practice. From age-old Ayurvedic treatments to modern therapies, from naturopathy to a wide range of massages, the spa at Shreyas is designed to offer the best wellness experience. With knowledge of techniques from across the world, experienced consultants help guests by creating a personalized, wellness regime to help them chart their journey towards harmony.
Highlights:
Outdoor pool, disabled access, fitness center, Jacuzzi and sauna, hiking personalized yoga session, wellness consultations, spa with Western therapies and Ayurveda.
6. Amanbagh Resort (Ajabgarh, Rajasthan)
Escape to a secret garden estate in India’s rugged Aravalli Hills and reconnect within the rose-pink, Mughal-inspired sanctuary that is Amanbagh. Amanbagh’s three Wellness Immersions are tailored to individual needs to inspire and promote meaningful change. Whether detoxing for a new lease on life, expanding your yoga and mindfulness practice or embracing the benefits of an Ayurvedic lifestyle, each immersion is personalized based on in-depth consultations and wellness screening, but is flexible enough to accommodate non-immersion travel partners without compromising results.
Treatments & Therapies:
Amanbagh’s minimum four-night Yoga & Mindfulness Immersion presents the full picture of yoga, introducing its many facets to those new to the practice, and advancing the practice and understanding of experienced yogis. It is tailored to the individual in every respect – including nutrition. After an in-depth consultation with Amanbagh’s resident Ayurvedic physician, nutrition plans will be based on a Sattvic diet as referenced in Ayurvedic and Yogic literature, focusing on fresh, organic foods rich in prana (life force).
Highlights:
Programs include private movement and specialist therapy sessions, spa treatments and complete nutritional support with personally curated wellness menus. Guests can also enjoy a sunrise guided walk, morning group yoga sessions, swimming pool surrounded by lush gardens, village tours, and a jungle excursion to view tigers in Sariska National Park.
7. SwaSwara Resort (Gokarna, Karnataka)
SwaSwara means your inner voice and true to its name, this is a place of natural harmony to release, refocus, and recalibrate the self. Situated on Om Beach, there is little to disturb your inner explorations apart from the rhythm of the rolling waves and the meditative hum of birdsong. Crafted in colours of the Earth, and in harmony with the land that nurtures her, SwaSwara is designed for holistic and transformational experiences; a space where the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda and Yoga embrace you to rejuvenate body and spirit.
Treatments and Therapies:
Under the SwaSwara’s signature programme, Swa Well-being is the beginning of an exploration of the self. This comprehensive programme begins with an introduction to Yogic Kriyas, Asanas, Yoga Nidra, meditation, and Pranayama. It also includes relaxing Abhyanga Ayurveda massages, special focus yoga sessions, guided art and pottery sessions, and lifestyle guidance by their experienced Ayurveda and yoga team.
Highlights:
Nature trails and bird watching, boat rides, village visits, interactive cooking classes, art studio, large oxidized swimming pool, meditation deck on the cliff, and yoga and meditation hut.
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India offers something for everyone, no matter if you are adding a spa package onto your trip or making wellness the focus of your visit. Combined with its charming character and warm welcome, India is the perfect destination for a relaxing, memorable, and meaningful trip.
