Billing itself as India’s only lifestyle destination spa, Ananda is located in the bosom of the lush green Himalayas and is a testament to a true destination spa.
Voted as the Best Pampering Spa in the Retreats for Body and Soul category by Harper’s Abroad (supplement to Harper’s & Queen) in 2003, the 21,000 sq ft spa is a sensory experience right from its beautifully laid out rooms, fine dining venues to the extensive spa facilities offering Ayurvedic, European and Oriental therapies.
A closely guarded secret of the Himalayan foothills, Ananda attracts the fancy of the up-market traveler and stressed out souls from around the globe.
Opened in September 2000, the destination spa is built in the Maharaja’s palace estate and is located 260km north of India’s capital - New Delhi.
Ananda features a restored Viceroy’s Palace, world-class spa, 75 deluxe rooms and suites with breathtaking view of the Ganges River and the Himalayas.
The spa rests on the multiple pillars of physical, mental and emotional well-being focusing on the traditional Indian sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda. The personalised therapy and activities programs is designed to meet individual needs and health goals - de-stressing, detoxification and cleansing, deep relaxation, anti-aging, weight and inch loss, while also offering guidance in the areas of nutrition and exercise. Ananda Spa also houses the only ‘Aveda’ Beauty Institute in India, an international beauty line now part of Estee Lauder.
The bedrock of Ananda’s philosophy, however, is Ayurveda, a traditional Indian science of holistic medicine, developed over centuries by sages and holy men who were gifted with universal insight and experience. Qualified Ayurvedic practitioners perform the therapies, which rejuvenate the system, tone the body and relax the mind, supporting a commitment to health and wellness.
According to Ayurveda, the universe is made of five primordial elements, namely earth, air, fire, water and ether. These elements express themselves in three operating principles within the physiology, referred to as the three doshas: ‘Vata’, ‘Pitta’ and ‘Kapha’.
These doshas are key to our psycho physiological nature. As every human being has a different balance of elements, one dosha is typically predominant in our constitution and ascertains our personality. After the consultation, the patient is given a detailed description of what he might have to undergo over the next few days/weeks.
Spa cuisine served in the restaurant has an emphasis on light healthy dishes with options of an Ayurvedic Indian Diet to suit individual ‘dosha’ types.
The Pavilion is for more casual dining, the Palace Lounge serves light refreshments and the Poolside is ideal for light snacks and drinks looking out at the Himalayas.
Furthermore the Spa offers an extensive selection of therapies and other facilities like an outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, golf, fully equipped gymnasium, squash court, sauna, steam rooms and luxurious hydrotherapy facilities.