Back in the ’90s, going to a “spa” meant a visit to an exotic location, to the Maldives or Bali perhaps. Lounging by the sea, you’d finish your iced tea and attend a long and luxurious aromatherapy session, and emerge rejuvenated, your skin glowing. But your choices were limited to standard treatments at holiday destinations. For variety, you would inevitably have to go overseas.
Now, the variety in India is mind-boggling. From luxury spa treatments, to couple treatments in a suite with a Jacuzzi for both, day-long packages, hair spa as well as wellness spas—the array of treatments available now often leaves the guest spoiled for choice. The treatments relax, rejuvenate and even cure! Spas mushroomed with the coming of international hospitality chains. Initially, the hotels and resorts opened a spa albeit only as a “guests only” facility. This changed all too quickly as hotels opened their spas to non-guests, which became a landmark for the industry in India. Cities that earlier announced the openings of a new mall, hair salon, an automobile showroom, etc., were soon abuzz with talks of a spa “culture”.
But the trend of the spas is no more their hour-long aromatherapy sessions, gold facials or the basic pedicure and manicure. Now, spa menus have treatments like Skin Brightener Treatment (which deals with pigmentation) and Eye Zone Treatment (focusses on dark circles, puffy eyes, etc.). Several boutique spas also help manage hypertension, bronchial asthma and diabetes.
Reaching out as a medi-spa is Kiran Bawa and actor Shilpa Shetty’s joint venture, Iosis Medi-Spa. While the Shilpa Shetty special package includes the Caviar Facial, a signature treatment exclusive to Iosis, better still is their bouquet of over ten different treatments segregated on the basis of the client’s age. The specialists at the Medi-Spa say that certain treatments like the Skin Regenerating Treatment can be availed of only by those over the age of 40. Not so long ago such treatments used to be available in India only at a dermatologist’s clinic. No more. “Iosis isn’t just a place for luxury but also a place for recovery,” says Kiran Bawa, the entrepreneur behind the spa.
Mirroring this trend, Sohum Spa and Wellness Sanctuary offers wellness programmes under the supervision of doctors. They address a variety of lifestyle ailments that can be effectively managed for better-quality living. “The ideal recommendation at Sohum would be to go for Ayurvedic treatments daily as is mentioned in the scriptures,” says Rajesh Srinivas, President of Sohum Spa and Wellness Sanctuary.
The signature treatment at Sohum is the Absolute Wellness Ritual. It’s a complete mind-andbody experience that blends yogic practices and guided relaxation. Other skin treatments like Ozone therapy and Far Red Infra Red therapy are equally popular.
The race has begun and spas are getting competitive, though still lagging in one other trend in the country: Gymnasiums with spas. Not too many of these have sprouted but there’s potential for this market. Internationallyacclaimed chain in the fitness industry, Gold’s Gym, like every new gym now, boasts of a spa. If not of multiple capacity, gyms have on board at least one dedicated therapist to ensure that those sweating it out doing cardio and weights don’t suffer major injuries.
Corporate executives have emerged as the preferred target group of many new-style spas. Take Gurgaon’s Spa Soul at The Galaxy Hotel. Recently, they have introduced a special treatment called the “Jet Lag Massage”. So, you can choose to soothe your jet-lagged nerves and get your body used to a different time zone by dipping your feet in a sea-salt soak with Eucalyptus and Rosemary oil, followed by a head massage and aromatherapy and then some hot-stone therapy.
Sohum Spa and Wellness Santuary Juhu Vile Parle Sports Club, Plot No. B 10, Vaikunthlal Mehta Road, Kapole Co-operative Hsg. Soc. Ltd., JVPD Scheme, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai; Tel: 022-26139603/ 05
Iosis Medi-spa is located pan-India. http://iosismedispa.com/Gold’s Gym India is located pan-India.www.goldsgymindia.com Spa Soul at the Galaxy Hotel, Gurgaon. http://www.galaxyhotel.in/spa.html
