Uttarakhand, India
Body and soul detox with panoramic views, served alongside palatial grandeur
With a book deadline fast approaching, I was told by my physiotherapist to focus on relaxing my shoulder muscles. So imagine my joy when I discover that Ananda now has a celebrated reflexology master and therapeutic physiotherapy – on arrival, I’m prescribed two targeted sessions, which help immensely. Ananda draws together elements of TCM, physiotherapy and yoga, but its mainstay remains the suite of Ayurvedic therapies, from the four-hands abhyanga massage to shirodhara (in which warm oil is streamed onto the forehead).
Guests come from the world over – primarily the UK, the US and France – to undergo panchakarma, or the intensive Ayurvedic detox, under the guidance of an exemplary medical team. But Ananda’s focus on emotional healing is evident with one-on-one sessions, transpersonal psychology and a sophisticated sound-healing set-up, which is among the highlights of my stay. I also love the kundalini back massage, which starts with a Himalayan crystal scrub to stimulate the lymphatic system, and is followed by a back massage to balance the nervous system. Founded in 2000 by third-generation hotelier Ashok Khanna in response to epidemic global stress levels, Ananda has always homed in on rebalancing holistically, making it well placed for stress or sleep management, and hormonal balance (PCOD, fertility, post-partum care, menopause).
The location is part of the therapy. Spread over 100 acres of an undulating palace estate dotted with silver oak and magnolia, most of the 72 rooms and suites come with panoramic views of the Himalayas and the Ganges. Ananda can arrange a visit for the evening lamp-lighting ceremony by the river – hundreds of tiny earthen lamps released in the water to the soundtrack of a live, devotional chorus – which is unmissable. Other new features since my last visit include a mobile app for easy communication with various teams or to book group activities such as birdwatching and golf. And there’s now a wellness kit in the rooms to aid restful sleep, with sesame oil for oil pulling and a foot-relief oil. The spa boutique stocks the signature fragrance (a blend of tropical lily and spicy notes); it’ll help the Ananda experience linger longer. AG
Healing Holidays (healingholidays.com/condenast) can arrange a seven-night Yoga programme from $7,458 per person sharing, including transfers, full board and treatments