Serenity for the senses

As you enter, just the mere vastness of the location can give the cliché “lose yourself to find yourself” a fresh perspective. Nestled in the serene landscape of the Sahyadri mountain range in the Western Ghats, the spa at the Hilton Shillim Estate Resort & Spa is spread across 70 acres and is counted among the largest and most comprehensive in Asia. Offering a host of treatments, the spa is not just a visual treat but also a sanctuary for the mind, body and spirit, soothing the senses with the natural environs.
To give one an idea of the sheer expanse, the Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa is spread over 350 acres within the 3,500-acre private Shillim Estate.
Integrating the ancient philosophic, spiritual and artistic wisdom of South Asia with contemporary international practices and therapies, this unique spa reinforces the Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa’s mission “to conserve, to sustain and to heal”.“It’s like living National Geographic every day,” says Andreas Kraemer, general manager of the Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa. With a foray into retreats of this kind, Kraemer says, innovation is the driver, “We’ve used the landscape to bring the guests closer to nature and to themselves. There’s a large Meditation Cave, which breaks away from convention in terms of space and scale. Meanwhile, we have a Yoga Pavilion – set in the distance, at the end of the property, to ensure that serious practitioners enjoy an entirely peaceful retreat. To enhance the experience, we are considering a farm garden – to conceptualise a dinner in the farm garden, pick your own vegetables, perhaps, even conduct a cooking class.”
At the heart of the expansive area, a vision of the Meditation Cave builds up, surrounded by spa therapy rooms, a centrally heated swimming pool with sauna and Jacuzzi, and spa villas. Guests are welcome to meditate and practice yoga here, or go to the upper deck, where the semi-open Tea House features low-seating arrangements and a specialty menu with organic and healthy food and beverage offerings Dr Rajneesh Kumar, spa director of the Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa, explains, “Featuring 17 treatment rooms, a meditation cave, three consultation rooms and a relaxation centre, with expert therapists and visiting masters, our retreat is segregated into two zones – the spa zone and the upper spa zone.
Those staying in the spa zone have free access while those on the upper spa will require spa appointments or private reservation. The upper spa zone is closer to the cave, the children’s area and the singing gongs. What’s best is that the environment here provides guests with the stimulus to bring their mind to that alpha state. Striving to nurture and heal the inner spirit and elicit lasting change at an energetic level, the spa integrates the three pillars of transformative wellness (physical, emotional and mental) to support guests on their personal journey.”
The spa offers more than a range of therapies, including meditation, bodywork, massage, Ayurveda experiences and yoga. With 17 treatment rooms, three consulting rooms and a yoga centre located amidst breathtaking nature and a unique meditation cave, there is also an outdoor heated pool at the spa. What else could you ask for? Touted as India’s largest spa destination, it has a wide range of treatments and massages including Pranic Healing, Chakra Cleansing, Hydro Therapy, Tai Chi and Watsu. The spa concept is inspired by the oldest healing system of Ayurveda and Yoga and incorporates Reiki, Acupressure, Aromatherapy and Naturopathy.
To its credit, this maiden retreat and spa from Hilton Hotels & Resorts has won an award for Best Luxury Wellness Spa in Asia and Best Luxury Emerging Spa in India at the 2014 World Luxury Spa Awards. And it’s less than a year-and-half old.
Kumar says, “We keep adding new experiences like Reiki, Pilates, etc. to keep evolving the spa. But what we do differently is personalising. Our aim is to understand the guests’ needs, goals and then choose the treatment best suited to alleviate any distresses. Additionally, we also provide a wellness regime and a diet specific for the guests’ body type, to offer a holistic experience par excellence.”
Talking about his views on the wellness industry, he says, the way Indians are gratifying, their curative and enhancement needs will continue to evolve. “There is a transition from remedial care to holistic view on preventive care,” he explains. “This is because consumers’ interest is growing in theme-based travel. And wellness is now the name of the game, for it has always been a silent constituent in the art of holidaying.”
For Kraemer, the key differentiator at the Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa is a combination of the environment, experience and engagement. He says, “Relaxation and being taken care of is the emphasis here. We also welcome families – now, children are allowed on the upper spa zone, not in the lower. This means that spa lovers are guaranteed a quiet, therapeutic time. We engage the children in horse-riding, cooking, treasure hunting or even trekking while the rest of the family unwinds. We offer something for everybody.”