Whether chronic or acute, if you are looking at ways to cure the illness or rejuvenate your body and soul, go about some rejuvenation routine at the below listed places for inner well-being.

Mercure Devaaya Retreat, India

It is one of the exquisite properties in Goa that is dedicated to traditional healing. Situated on the serene Divar island on Goa’s beautiful Mandovi river, the property offers visitors authentic Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Yoga treatments with international hospitality standards. Situated on a peaceful island, with distinctive Goan architecture, the picturesque property offers 28 well-furnished therapy rooms (modern/rustic), a large yoga pavilion, hydrotherapy rooms, mud bath areas, physiotherapy rooms, etc. The resort offers elegant and insightful tools to balance your mind, body, and senses. Ayurvedic physicians prescribe personalised treatment programs for each guest, after a detailed consultation. These holistic healing programs performed by expert therapists, constitute specific daily routines, regulated nutritious diet, and wellness activities. Treatments include Abhyanga, Panchkarma, Svedan, AntarSnehan, Virechan, Basti, Shirodhara, Pizhichil, Navrakizhi and Nasya.

Kairali Ayurvedic Healing Village

Kairali Ayurvedic Group offers a residential treatment centre in Kerala, offering an immersive Ayurvedic experience. This resort was established in 1999 and is located among the sweet-scented forests of Palakkad. It has 30 guest villas with Vaastu Shastra architecture. It is known for its highly qualified Ayurvedic doctors and renowned health practices, and offers complete stillness that focuses entirely on the wellbeing retreat experience with a range of traditional treatments to address chronic health problems. The resort is popular for providing numerous forms of ancient guidance – including yoga tuition, meditation, astrology, palmistry, lectures in Indian philosophy and traditional Indian rituals (pujas).

Jindal Nature Cure Institute

Jindal Naturecure Institute (JNI) is a leading naturopathy hospital for providing prevention and cure for chronic diseases through body detoxification and life-style modification with a holistic approach. It pioneered modern drug-less healthcare in India. Presently JNI claims to be treating about 15,000 patients annually suffering especially from various chronic and acute diseases which are otherwise not curable in any other branch of medicine. JNI offers drugless therapy in India and abroad. It directs people toward imbibing a natural lifestyle.

Niramaaya Retreats, Surya Samudra, Kovalam

This beach resort in Kovalam is perched on a dramatic cliff-edge flanked by secluded beaches celebrates its natural surroundings. It is an Ayurveda resort dotted with traditional Keralite heritage cottages that nestle in the shade of breezy coconut palms. Whether by the pool or at the restaurants, guests can savor spectacular views of the Arabian Sea while enjoying the award-winning Niraamaya spa recognized as one of the Best Ayurveda Resorts in India, rejuvenating your mind, body and soul through a personalized path to rejuvenation.

Get into a wellness space to unwind body, mind and soul with 5 luxury retreats that promise to rejuvenate you in their unique ways.

Mekosha Ayurveda SpaSuites Retreat, Kerala, India

It is India’s first all-suites boutique Ayurveda retreat with in-suite spa. Its wellness programs provide bespoke experience with personalized therapies to help guests attain holistic physical and mental well-being. This luxurious wellness retreat offers purest tenets of Ayurveda in a modern setting. Specialized programs are organized that are aimed at weight loss, detox and rehabilitation, rejuvenation, post cancer rehabilitation, treatment of skin and respiratory disorders and other specific ailments. This all-suites boutique retreat, with each spa suite with an integral private treatment room and a balcony, overlooks the pool with delightful river view beyond. With eleven suites exclusivity, Mekosha—on the banks of the river Attingal Aaru—is definitely meantfor the discerning few.

https://mekosha.com

Anantara Kihavah Maldives

Villas at Anantara Kihavah Maldives are surrounded by turquoise lagoon which seamlessly permeates into the sapphire blue waters around the island of Kihavah. Words fail to describe the magic and beauty of white sands. The spa looks directly into the bluest ocean while the floor of the treatment rooms gives you visuals of beautiful fishes swimming by through its strategically placed inbuilt sea through glass on the floor. Even the relaxing lounge opens up to the sea giving you an relaxed feel as you sip on the herbal drink served after an amazing treatment. Blooming corals and a wealth of lagoon fish give company to resident guests spread across 80 beach and over water pool villas and residences. Located on the Baa Atoll in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas is a place to experience Hawksbill sea turtles, and experience the luxury of wine tasting under water.

https://www.anantara.com/en/kihavah-maldives

Soneva Fushi, Maldives

Villas at Soneva Fushi—desert island hideaway in the Maldives—are ideal to unwind, enjoying sunset and sunrise sides of the island. You begin the wellness vibes as soon so you step into the island when you are asked to hand over your shoes, they are packed in a bag and sent to your villa. The barefoot walk, the island grown vegetables, the sea water turned into fresh water and the beautiful spa with choice of therapies is an experience you will never forget in the super luxurious resort.  Surrounded by crystal clear blue waters, the resort gives every reason to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a me/us time. Maldives' signature white-sand beachesare definite reasons that invite one for snorkelling or simply laze next to calming waters, offering access to reef and dolphin spotting points. Neighbouring islands of Eydhafushi and Maalhos give company in the sea, while you surf, snorkel, go on a dolphin cruise or simply take free dive into the sea or get a wellness sensory treatment at the Six Senses Spa.

https://www.soneva.com/soneva-fushi/

Shangri-La's Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka

Having 274 rooms, including 20 suites, and four restaurants and bars, this luxury resort in Sri Lanka offers pristine view of the southern coast of the country with the well known CHI Spa located in the middle of stunning water bodies. The spa menu boasts of a varieties of treatment including local and international therapies. While one can indulge into teeing off at the 18-hole championship golf course, others can resort to experiencing an expansive spa featuring Ayurveda treatments. The resort boasts a unique artisan village that showcases local arts and crafts, and is known for its tropical gardens. The village, in fact, gives an opportunity to interact with local craftsmen who are into pottery, wood carvings, mask making, etc. The resort is equally popular for corporate gatherings, meetings and conferences.

https://www.shangri-la.com/en/hambantota/shangrila/

The Farm at San Benito, Manila, The Philippines

It offers life transformative retreats and holistic medical wellness experiences that are evidence-based, science-based and results-driven.Wellness programs have been carefully planned and are conducted by internationally-trained licensed medical professionals, spa therapists, nutritionists, living food experts, fitness coaches, and yoga teachers. This eco-luxury medical wellness resort is 90 minutes away from Manila, the Philippines. It promotes a healing journey focused around five pillars: Diagnose, Cleanse, Nourish, Repair and Sustain. Five key healing components followed are: holistic integrative medical services; nurturing spa and hydrotherapy water wellness; plant-based, wholefood, vegan cuisine; mindful movement and functional fitness; and, healing environment and heartfelt service.

https://www.thefarmatsanbenito.com/

Celebrating winter at the well-known and one of Delhi's iconic fine dining restaurant Spice Route, Imperial Hotel, is such a joy. It is doubled when Chef Veena Arora, who has been with the restaurant since its inception more than a decade ago, selects the best on the winter menu and serves it lovingly to a handful of city's known media. Her love especially for Thai food, is apparent as she is brought up in the beautiful Thailand globally known for its cuisine. Conversations are peppered up with the vaieties of vegetables or herbs used in her household and it’s a pleasure as she fills us up with food stories while growing up in Thailand.

The menu is filled with South East Asian Coastal food. The round table is filled with nibbles and savouries with the aroma wafting through the stunning murals, hand-painted on the pillars. The Restaurant, that took seven years in the making, is completely hand painted with vegetable and flower dyes by mural painters brought in especially from a temple in Guruvayur in Kerala with a tradition dating back to 3000 years.

There is a rustle of phones coming out of pockets and purses for pictures as the steaming meen rasam (fish rasam) is placed in front of us followed with prawns flavoured with lemon grass in por pia wraps-Kung Hom Pha, and the coastal sumptuousness with Yera Ellu Pirati - battered fried jumbo prawns Kerala style. The dancing prawns or Kung Tein- charcoal grilled jumbo prawns served with garlic makes you more hungry with its delicious aroma and it vanishes as soon as it touches the table.

From the sea food map, the menu features the delish Meen Kodan Biryani –mixed sea food Kerala style Biryani while melt in the mouth lobsters in oyster sauce, Kung Nang Khee Mao- Wok fried drunkened lobster with Thai ginger finger, fresh green pepper in Thai oyster sauce, will stir your senses with bursting flavours. Not to miss, Phad Khing Pla – sole fillet with black fungus and celery stems will add to the hearty meal.

There's always a dish that Chef Veena manages to rustle up that ultimately becomes the star dish of the afternoon this time it was the Phad Phak Kheow or the fresh mustard leaves wok fried with some garlic, soybean paste, oil and white pepper which was super fresh and super tasty.

On the spur of the moment she also decides to make it fun for the special invitees as she offers to do a cook out in the beautiful winter sun, right after the delicious tofu ice cream served in different flavours like coconut, chocolate, cinnamon green tea etc. And so we got to see the prawn salad with fresh veggies being tossed right in front of us in the beautiful courtyard under the glorious winter sun. The visuals were manna for the instagram and twitter hungry media and we couldn't have ended on a better note with the best picture opportunity.

10^th November 2017 - 31^st  January 2018

Lunch & Dinner: 12:30pm - 2:45pm | 7:00pm - 11:45pm

Meal for Two  without alcohol: INR 10000 plus taxes; Call at 41116605 for reservation

There was a bit of darkness around us, but the pillars with beautiful murals were highlighted by discreet lights. We were sitting at the Spice Route restaurant at the Imperial Hotel that takes you to a different world of ancient charm filled with hand painted murals, beautiful gods and goddesses painted on thick pillars around the restaurant. The restaurant is almost two decades old and was designed by Rajeev Sethi, a celebrated Indian designer, noted for his love for preserving the rich cultural heritage. By sheer luck and on this very day the designer of the restaurant Rajeev Sethi is sitting just a table away with a guest enjoying lunch.

There are some things in life that must stay the way it is, the Spice Route restaurant at the Imperial is one of them. It is an architectural stunner that offers a unique dining experience in a distinctively beautiful setting. The Restaurant, that took seven years in the making, is completely hand painted with vegetable and flower dyes by mural painters brought in especially from a temple in Guruvayur in Kerala with a tradition dating back to 3000 years.

We are seated at the sanctum sanctorum of the restaurant which is fairly well lit up, it gives us the best views of the four corners of the restaurant that is a must visit if you are a fine dining connoisseur. I am seated next to Chef Veena Arora who has been with Spice Route since its inception. Soft spoken and humble she declared the winter menu open while taking us through the winter menu that she innovates every season making her own set of additions and deletions.

I opted for the vegetarian rasam that had just the right amount of tanginess and warmed you up with its variety of whole Indian spices. The table by then of course had been filled up with Meen (sea food) rasam, Rendang Udang - a Malay styled prawn curry with roasted coconut, lemongrass and coconut milk. This was served with Khao Phad Thalay - stir fired rice with seafood and flavoured with Sri-racha sauce. Although it's not on the menu, if you are a vegetarian the tofu and bean curd here is a must try which is what I did exactly. 

Among the winter menu Chef Veena this time has included the Kung Hom Pha-prawns flavoured with lemongrass and white pepper wrapped with por-pia skin and crisp friend which is just one of the appetizers. The main course includes Kadugu Meen Masala or the fish stir fried in mustard paste, bishhop's weed and garnised with cilantro leaves. You can also opt for Kung Nang Phad Saparos or the wok friend lobster with cubes of pineapple flavoured with oyster sauce.

Chef Veena Arora

The much talked about Chicken 65 gets a twist here Year Arvat Anjj with prawns and Kerala spice. There are really a good mix of dishes from Thaliand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Kerala according to your taste in the menu to spice up your taste for the winter. Finish off your delicious meal with green tea, coconut or the cinnamon flavoured ice cream.

Arati Thapa

The well known luxury hotel chain, one of Europe’s oldest – the Kempinski Hotels plans to go aggressive in the Indian hospitality sector. The brand currently has one hotel in operation in India and 73 globally, with plans to open 112 hotels by 2017.

The growing upper middle class is travelling a lot these days. This includes not just international travel but Indian destinations too are sought after. Duncan O’Rourke, CEO Kempinski Hotels says, “India is a rapidly growing economy with a burgeoning middle class that appreciates and has the resources to enjoy high-end luxury. The country also plays an important role in terms of outbound travel to our numerous properties across the globe.”

“We plan to operate three new hotels in India by 2020. We already have an operational hotel, the Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi, and these additions will take our total strength to four hotels in the country in the next 5-6 years”, he adds.

Ulrich T. Eckhardt - President Middle East and Africa, Duncan O' Rourke- COO, Kempinski Hotels and Vella Ramasawmy- GM, Kempinski Ambience Hotel Delhi

Mr. Ulrich Eckhardt, Managing Director & President India, Middle East & Africa, Kempinski Hotels added, “While we are bullish on our expansion in the country we have put a cap on growth as we want to be known for our luxury and exclusivity. India is an extremely important market for us and we are looking to follow a tactical planned approach to grow our footprint in the country.”

The three properties are planned in the cities of Mumbai, Kolkata and Kerala and the company will follow a management contract model for these new hotels. Each of the upcoming hotels will feature 150-250 keys and the property in Kerala is planned to be a resort, the first for Kempinski Hotels in India. 

www.kempinski.com • www.globalhotelalliance.com