Soothe Yourself
CHI, The Spa at Shangri-la’s–eros Hotel, New Delhi offers an eclectic mix of therapies that’ll leave you invigorated.
Chi means ‘flow of energy’, and this sensation exudes out of every corner of Shangri-la’s–eros Hotel’s spa. As I walk towards my therapy room, the play of dark wooden hues coupled with soft beiges transports my mind to a tranquil space. It feels like everything around me is in a state of zen.
I decide to go for a 60-minute Signature Asian Blend massage. Anar, my masseuse, tells me, the massage employs a mix of Asian techniques like Thai, Malaysian, Balinese, Chinese and Indian, and the pressure ranges from medium to firm in order to balance and re-energise one’s body.
I sit on the chair while Anar brings me a tray of essential oils to sniff out the massage oil of my choice. I smell mandarin, oolong, ore and sun, and I pick oolong. This particular oil has a unique aroma that instantly puts me in a state of trance; it’s a serene blend of lavender, lime and oolong tea, which is great for harmonising and revitalising.
I lie down on my stomach; Anar sprinkles the oil on a towel and
19, Ashoka Rd, Janpath, Connaught Place, New Delhi, Delhi-110001 hangs it in front of my head so that I can keep inhaling its soft notes throughout the session. After cleaning my feet with a warm towel, she dives right into the therapy. She starts with my legs, working her way up to my back, shoulders, and neck. I turn over, and the kneading continues. She uses a mix of long and short strokes coupled with circular movements with her knuckles. I can feel my muscle tension slipping away, and my body begins to feel lighter.
Now, she gently starts massaging my head, and in no time, I fall asleep. I can sense the smell of her oil-laden fingers, but I am too drowsy to open my eyes or move for that matter. I stay cosy and warm under the white sheets for a few minutes after the therapy ends. I soak in this gorgeous feeling of revival that the massage seems to have brought over me.
I head for a 10-minute sauna, followed by quick steam, and a dip in the Jacuzzi. The warm stream of water continues to re-energise me. After all, this spa is all about the flow of energy!
Tel: +91 11 4119 1919
Email: healthclub.slnd@shangri-la.com
The newly launched unisex salon, niu&nau at Taj Lands End, Mumbai, made me feel energised with their tasteful, vibrant and elegant décor, from the word go. I was looking for something more than the usual, something ‘new’ to start ‘now’. At once, the pedicure and manicure stations overlooking the Arabian Sea caught my attention. The thought of getting pampered while watching the sunset against the vast sea instantly put me in a relaxed state of mind. A private nail treatment area and an art section adjoining the pedicure station added to the tranquillity of the space.
While I was soaking in my thoughts, Shraddha, my therapist, ushered me to the skincare treatment room. She examined my skin, and suggested the Janssen Advance Care Ritual, using German skincare products. The treatment, she explained, would help rehydrate my skin and restore its vibrancy. Currently, the salon is equipped with products from brands like Remy Laure, while Forest Essentials is going to follow suit soon.
Once I settled into the private treatment room, my therapist started the ritual with cleansing my skin. A steaming session followed next, culminating in the application of a Cellular Regeneration Complex. In its essence, it is a concoction of red clover extract and fermented tea or Kombucha. Once the cleansing, toning, and scrubbing were taken care of, it was time for my favourite part—a massage! Gentle strokes along my neck, shoulders and face sent me to seventh heaven. I could feel the inner me loosen up and dive straight into infinite bliss. Around 90 minutes of pampering later, my skin felt rejuvenated, and my face was glowing anew.
Meanwhile, my next therapist, Rohit had prepped for my hair spa session. On identifying my hair as dry and frizzy, he recommended a Moroccan Hydrating hair spa. As I sipped on a glass of fresh juice, he explained the finer nuances of this treatment. Instant hydration and nourishment would be the result, he said. First, he washed my hair with a hydrating shampoo. Next, he divided my hair into sections and applied argan oil infused with a Moroccan hydrating cream in each section. A relaxing head and shoulder massage later, he rinsed my now soft and frizz-free hair. Turns out a 45-minute treatment was all I needed to bring back the bounce that I always wanted in my hair.
Byramji Jeejeebhoy Road, Bandstand Promenade, Bandra West, Mumbai-400050
Tel: +91 22 6668 1234