Work. The daily commute. Social engagements. Stress. They’re unavoidable aspects of modern life, but sometimes you need to plot an escape. A deserved break from your hectic lifestyle that revitalises you and gets you raring to go again. A total system reboot. Interesting, then, that one of the world’s best destinations for peaceful rejuvenation is a country often associated with crowds, noise and general pandemonium: India.
It might not seem the obvious choice for anyone looking to relax and recharge, but India is a place that delights in confounding preconceived notions by ripping up the stereotype. Few things are quite as you expect them. For every manic railway station or crazy traffic-clogged city, there’s an unspoiled beach or a serene retreat to find refuge from the clamour of the outside world. Such stark contrasts are part of the beguiling appeal of India. And in an environment this diverse, no two places are ever quite the same.
Within a few hours of the major travel hubs of the Middle East, it’s possible to reach luxurious resorts and hotels that specialise in the art of reinvigoration. That might include whiling away the days reading and dozing in a little cottage by the sea, or relaxing in a restored colonial residence surrounded by beautiful period furniture and fittings. Whether it’s five-star splendour at the edge of a thriving metropolis, or exploring the restorative benefits of yoga and ayurvedic healing far from the madding crowds, India has it all.
THE FIVE-STAR BREAK
The Oberoi, Mumbai
It’s perhaps testament to The Oberoi’s stress-busting credentials that its 24-hour spa is busiest at around 2am. It is so relaxing it’s worth waking up in the middle of the night for.
One of India’s most famous hotels, The Oberoi is a proud landmark at the southern tip of Mumbai’s glittering Marine Drive. Recently reopened after the attacks on the city in 2008, the hotel has become a symbol for Mumbai’s resilience, but its legendary reputation for immaculate service still shines on.
From the moment you’re met at the airport, right through to the in-room check-in, you’re oblivious to the hassles of the bustling city. It’s entirely feasible to spend the duration of your stay cocooned within The Oberoi’s cool marble walls, lounging by the pool or luxuriating in an expansive and elegant executive suite. Those overlooking the Arabian Sea have a captivating view of the crescent coastline known as the ‘Queen’s necklace’, and the glass bathrooms allow you to bathe in the amber glow of the setting sun.
With a ‘butler buzzer’ in your room, it’s tempting to have the poor chap at your beck and call 24/7, but at the very least you’ll want to explore the hotel’s bars and restaurants. The award-winning Ziya showcases Michelin-star chef Vineet Bhatia’s unique take on contemporary Indian cuisine. After a long evening indulging in fine food and wine, what’s left to do but check into The Oberoi’s spa all over again? www.oberoihotels.com
THE AYURVEDIC DETOX
The Beach House, Goa
Peeking over the dunes across a lazy stretch of south Goan sand, the Beach House is a boutique wellness retreat aimed at fixing minds, bodies and souls frazzled by the stresses of everyday life. Far away from the hedonistic resorts in the north, the Sernabatim beach location provides a placid backdrop for measured recuperation.
The retreat applies a contemporary approach to the ancient Indian science of ayurveda to provide a range of natural and holistic therapies. There are programmes for weight management and detox, as well as retreat packages aimed at total body rebalancing or treating more specific conditions.
Each programme comes with an assessment and screening process to determine the right course for each individual, and there are ayurvedic doctors, therapists and nutritionists on hand to monitor progress. It all helps to make you feel like you’re in good hands, which is nice because some treatments can be challenging.
Self-administered enemas for colon-cleansing are made all the more bearable by a beautiful and welcoming environment. The grounds, all swaying palm trees and pretty flowers, are meticulously kept; the communal beach house is sleek and stylish, and the accommodation – 11 two-storey villas – is exclusive and comfortable. Daily spa treatments and massages are treats to be looked forward to, and there’s no better place to practice your sun salutation poses than the yoga terrace overlooking the beach and the rolling Goan waves. www.thebeachhousegoa.com
THE YOGA HIDEAWAY
Shreyas Retreat, Bangalore
As travel writing cliches go, ‘oasis of calm’ is perhaps one of the most hackneyed. But after the commotion of Bangalore, arriving at this Relais & Chateaux yoga retreat on the outskirts of the city is akin to discovering a juice bar in a desert. Shreyas is where five-star luxury meets the asceticism of an ashram, a place where beleaguered city folk can rebalance their chakras with a daily programme of yoga, chanting classes, spa treatments and meditation.
It sounds austere, but it isn’t. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and lush with greenery. The tented and bungalow accommodation provides a haven to relax in after a limb-stretching yoga session. It almost seems a shame to break the tranquillity of the turquoise infinity pool by swimming in it. Yet people come here to renounce the excesses of everyday life, to refresh their souls in the luxury of simplicity.
The service is faultless and personal. Programmes are tailored to individual needs, as are menus. And although the kitchen only prepares organic vegetarian food, the variety and quality is such that you’ll never feel peckish. The new seven-night culinary package delves into the richness of Indian cuisine, with cooking demonstrations and trips to local markets.
Picking traditional Kerala drumsticks and bitter gourds from the retreat’s organic vegetable garden, you’ll learn about the ayurvedic benefits of simple ingredients, not to mention a simple lifestyle. www.shreyasretreat.com
THE HERITAGE HOTEL
Raheem Residency, Kerala
For those who prefer a historical setting in which to unwind, this restored colonial residency overlooking the sleepy beach at Aleppey is as elegant as it is culturally enriching. Dating back to the end of the 19th century, the house is typical of the British architecture of the day, with high-ceilinged rooms, coloured-glass windows, modest pillars and cool porticos. The main reception hall is tastefully bedecked with carved wooden antiques, and its bookcase is packed with carefully selected tomes for you to peruse in a planter’s chair near the pool.
The house was bought by textile merchants from Gujarat called the Raheems around 100 years ago, and has been visited by both Ghandi and Nehru. It was sold to Irish woman Bibi Baskin, a former TV journalist, who lovingly restored the property and will be only too glad to show you photographs of the renovation.
She’s also on hand to suggest soothing boat trips in the famous Kerala backwaters, or arrange a visit to the Revi Karuna Karan Memorial Museum, which houses a vast collection of curios amassed by the family of a local coir (natural coconut fibre) magnate.
Like any self-respecting Keralan refuge, Raheem offers ayurvedic massage and yoga. But the surrounds are so tranquil that merely lounging around the place will lull you into a meditative state. No wonder writers come here for the peace and quiet. www.raheemresidency.com
THE BEACH ESCAPE
A Beach Symphony, Kerala
Breathe in, breath out... let all that pent up tension and frustration slip away. Feel the calm pouring over you in waves. Relax. One should never underestimate the healing power of doing nothing. And this idyllic beach sanctuary in southern Kerala is the perfect place to do it.
A Beach Symphony is an intimate collection of four eco-friendly cottages set back from the virginal Marari beach. The brainchild of a Belgian couple, it’s a boutique retreat aimed at perfecting the art of relaxation.
The cottages have an ethnic luxury aesthetic that reflects the traditional homes of Kerala, but each one is different. Violin Cottage has its own plunge pool, and Sitar Cottage has a double bed on its expansive veranda, plus a hammock in its garden, just in case you’ve forgotten to lie down and do absolutely nothing.
The emphasis here is on privacy and seclusion. The service is non-intrusive, so if you want to be left alone you will be. Meals will be served on your veranda with no more fuss than a gentle knock on your cottage door, leaving you to potter around at your leisure. If you should feel guilt pangs at all this brazen inactivity, you can swim in the communal pool or wander down to the sea, ride a mountain bike in the hills, or visit a local school supported by the resort. Giving a little back is always good for a restful soul. www.abeachsymphony.com
