Known as the spiritual heartland of India, Rishikesh is a quaint little city in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand that’s big on everything else. Be it sights, sounds and incense stick aromas wafting by, all seem larger-than-life.
Here, you encounter saints intermingling with sinners. The latter believing that washing away their sins in the holy Ganges River is the only path to moksha or eternal freedom. And why not? The lure of peace and tranquillity has been bringing in droves of seekers over the decades. Case in point, The Beatles who first came here in 1968 for more than just a bit of spiritual awakening.
As one of the newest luxury properties to open in the area, The Westin Resort and Spa, Himalayas lies perched on 12 acres of lush, green mountainside overlooking the magnificent Shivalik ranges of the Himalayas. It also is the perfect vantage point to surround oneself with the allure and reposefulness of the main city of Rishikesh below. With sights of the glorious Ganges flowing through on a meandering course, like a silvery ribbon wowing you silent with its brilliance.
Hotel
Built into the craggy rock face of the mountain, the main building of The Westin Resort and Spa, Himalayas is a lesson in subtle beauty. With plenty of local rock and stone used in its construction, there is a certain affinity it shares with its natural surroundings. No great surprise then, when I’m told, that, the architecture and location of the hotel is inspired from the concept of biophilia. One that aims to provoke thoughtful moments of community, spirituality and celebration.
I am made aware of the subtle concentric circle leitmotif of the hotel’s décor elements at almost every step of my welcome onto the property. Inspired by the circles formed by a drop of water, I see the concentric circles on the plush taupe coloured carpet I walk over in the resort’s gargantuan, yet minimalist lobby. It is hanging overhead in the chandelier (made up of several cane baskets) that I sit under as my check-in formalities are underway. My welcome drink of spiced buransh (rhododendron) tea sits on a table that’s a cross-section of a tree trunk. Concentric age circles of the wood, pat in place.
I keep seeing circles. And I’ve not even had my first sip of wine, yet!
Room
Carrying forward this minimalist look and vibe are the resort’s 141 guestrooms and suites spread along the main building’s two wings. Each room opens onto a balcony overlooking serene mountain views and each is furnished with natural, earth toned fabrics and wooden accents. With ambient settings like lighting, temperature and piped muzak perfectly balancing homely comforts and reined-in taste.
Amongst the accommodation options, my pick would have to be one of the many garden suites. Replete with their own little patio gardens and temperature-controlled plunge pools, these suites are luxuriously spaced and thoughtfully curated around the resort’s Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath programmes. The latter using the exclusive White Tea range of amenities and unguents, made just for the Westin, in the spacious bathrooms, which also feature double vanities and free-standing bathtubs, along with large, walk-in closets.
Food
In perfect sync with the latest trend of keeping things ‘Glocal’ – with local flavours, set in a contemporary, global style and presentation – is the food philosophy at the resort’s four distinctive restaurants and bars. Helmed by executive chef Vivek Saha, who has had stints working and cooking all over the world, the food offered here echoes this ethos.
So, expect to find hyper local ingredients like kandli ka saag or curried stinging nettle leaves for mains along with a red ragi (millets) flatbread, local stuffed fried bread called swala for tea and warming rice pudding bowls topped mountain berries like jhangore for dessert. All these, at the earthy, farm-to-fork concept, Akasa, the resort’s all-day dining restaurant, a tranquil hybrid, indoor/outdoor space offering international and local favourites like the traditional Garhwali thali platter. It is also a place where guests can enjoy an interactive culinary experience with its open kitchen concept dishing out the most divine wood-fired oven pizzas.
Toya is the resort’s progressive Asian restaurant where guests can experience a live teppanyaki showcase indoors. Here, expect some world class sushi and imaginative sake cocktails, all liberally doused with some ribald ‘dad jokes’ that the enthusiastic young teppan chef entertains you with.
Or perhaps, savour a fresh alfresco dining experience whilst enjoying views of the mist-shrouded hillside. Pebbles, the poolside grill and barbeque restaurant, offers guests a wide array of signature cocktails and delectable bites like the tangy shakarkandi (sweet potato) chaat. Haven Lounge is the resort’s lobby lounge, perfect for unwinding while soaking in magnificent valley views over light bites and fine malts. It also serves the best hot chocolate (made from a melting chocolate-marshmallow bomb!) and strawberry custard éclairs I’ve ever been indulged with. Period.
Spa and Wellness
Moored on one of the Westin brand’s ‘Six Pillars of Wellbeing’ as a foundation, The Heavenly Spa by Westin is the ideal space to indulge in, letting your mind and body relax and rejuvenate. A vast, 1,115 square-metre cavernous space with 10 therapy rooms, the spa offers holistic massages (including the rigorous Ayurvedic abhyanga massage), sage rollers, body wraps, and signature exfoliating treatments. All this, in addition to an infinity pool, steam room and resident Yogini (Yoga teacher) to guide your Yogic quest further.
Besides this sybaritic haven, The Westin Resort and Spa, Himalayas offers various programmes and activities meant to spark energy and fun while delivering an overall sense of wellness in the most holistic manner possible.
As an avid runner and trekker, I took full advantage of the The RunWestin programme that is said to help one slow down and find alignment for the soul, through the wonders and vibrancy of the outdoors. It provides jogging maps that offer a choice of either one, three or five-kilometre picturesque routes around the Narendra Nagar PTC area. Guests also have the option to join a run concierge for a guided group run along the same trail.
To do
Undoubtedly, the number one calling card that makes this resort ultra special, is its close proximity to the main city of Rishikesh, with its exquisite setting on the invigorating and fast-flowing Ganges River, surrounded by deep forested hills. It’s Known multifariously as a spiritual haven, the yoga capital of the world and, of course, as the place where The Beatles had their most poignant tryst with Indian spirituality in the late 1960s.
Speaking of the mop-topped quartet, The Beatles Ashram, known originally as Chaurasi Kutia is a great place to visit while in Rishikesh. Here, one can not only learn the art of Yogic meditation, but also seek the same inspiration that lead to the creation of the band’s finest work since their visit.
Just before sunset, riverside areas of Rishikesh take on a surreal charm with temple bells ringing and rhythmic chants by priests and tourists as they participate in the nightly Ganga Aarti prayer ritual. But hang on, as I soon discovered, Rishikesh is not all spirituality! It is also a popular white-water rafting centre, backpacker hang-out and Himalayan-trekking gateway.
Speaking of which, closer to the resort, one can opt for an easy trek up to the Kunjapuri temple that offers another sort of spiritual adventure and stunning vistas of the plains below. Or, one could always explore the natural wonders of the Rajaji National Park, home to wild elephants and leopards.
In a nutshell
While a destination like Rishikesh itself is the perfect address for holistic well-being, The Westin Resort and Spa, Himalayas enhances the experience with all its might. A veritable haven of wellness and renewal, placed in a luxurious setting. This is truly where all the modern conveniences, food and beverage services and creature comfort offerings intermingle seamlessly with ancient Indian traditions and that all-pervasive yogic philosophy of the Himalayas.
Getting there
The nearest airport to the property is the Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun. From where, it is an easy 45 minutes’, 28 km uphill drive to reach The Westin Resort and Spa, Himalayas. Dehradun is connected to most major Indian cities via airlines like Air India, GoFirst and IndiGo. Alternately, one can also take a helicopter to reach the helipad in Narendra Nagar which is a mere 10 minutes’ drive away from the resort.
Factbox
Garden villas with plunge pools start from £1,543 (breakfast included) per night.
Address: Khasra No – 605, PTC Road, Narendra Nagar, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand – 249 175, India
Phone: +91-137-8354 343
Website: marriott.com
Photography courtesy of The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas unless otherwise stated
