herbal heritage

If you’ve wondered what it is to be pampered like a queen, your chance to find out is an hour’s drive from the city at Fort Jadhavgadh. Walk up the stately stone stairway of this 300- yearold fort, to a traditional welcome with an arti, before you check into the pool- facing spa room. The offerings, as they say, are fit for royalty but if you have to choose the best, then try the hour- long signature body massage. They combine Balinese and Swedish techniques and use aroma oils blended inhouse. For the next hour, your body undergoes a series of sensations as the therapist kneads away knotted muscles, focusing on the body’s pressure points while the lemongrass oil calms the mind almost instantly. Soak in the history of the fort as you look out at the century- old neem, bel and champa trees by the poolside, and feel your muscles respond to the firm, yet gentle, massage strokes. The spa is open to all so you can go there only for the day or check in for a weekend of indulgence. DON’T MISS Explore the fort’s secret tunnels and dungeons- turned- wine cellars, feast on traditional Maharashtrian fare at the restaurant or walk around the gardens to soak in the history INSIDER’S TIP Make the most of the monsoon months as the hotel offers a special monsoon package that includes accommodation, meals and a massage- for- two. COST Rs 1999 onwards AT Fort Jadhavgadh, Hadapsar Saswad Road, Jadhavwadi TEL 02115 - 305 200