Spread over 37 acres of lush green surroundings, The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa is like a peaceful oasis in a bustling city such as Delhi. I had heard a lot of great things about this resort but the beauty and peace it offers can only be felt once you reach there. As you turn off the National Highway-8 from Gurgaon, the farms on the way prepare you for a surreal experience that awaits you at The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa. The resort is located at Sohna which is famous for lakes and hot springs. Golf carts are used to move around while in the resort and the reception area is warm and welcoming. I was greeted by attentive staff to guide and help me design an itinerary as soon as I entered the property. With glass on all sides, overlooking scenic water bodies, the reception is chic, contemporary and state-of -the- art.
Owned by the Vatika group, the resort features 97 rooms comprising 52 Premier Rooms, 29 Premier Villas, 14 Luxury Villas, and a Presidential Suite. Designed by an Australia- based architect cum interior designer, Chandha Siemjeda, the entire resort has been built in red brick. I was taken on a tour of the beautiful property on a golf cart. The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa is contemporary and yet has unmistakable Indian elements to it especially the warmth and hospitality India is known for. I noticed an exquisite pond for ducks, a lake, a palatial coffee shop, an authentic Chinese restaurant – Xiao Chi, Westin Signature innovations – Heavenly Spa, Westin Kids Club, Westin Workout with a lap pool, an adult and kid’s pool. In fact there’s so much to do and see that a couple of days aren’t enough.
I was led by my butler to a cottage shaped suite; each standalone suite is set wide apart in a manner to give a feel of rural setting. Every cottage has a sitting area, a four-poster bed and open plan bathroom that take your breath away. The most striking feature of the bathroom is the tub that has a glass ceiling above- enabling you to soak in the morning rays while taking your bath. The cottage has glass walls that overlook well-manicured lawns and a patio that has a seating area as well as a hammock. The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa is known for providing guests what it calls ‘a truly out-of-this-world sleep–experience’. The Heavenly® Bed as the name suggests is a blissful experience and includes a pillow sham, duvet covers, a boudoir pillow, a down blanket, a comforel pillow, down and feather pillow, a mattress with a spring box.
Winner of many a prestigious award – The Heavenly® Spa at The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa is one of the highlights of the resort. Every spa ritual begins with a massage of aromatic oils on the neck and the shoulders. Built in a semi – circle with massage rooms coming along with attached bathrooms, the distinct feature of the spa is a meditation pyramid. The signature treatment called Rollersage is a massage that combines the deep relaxing feature of a Swedish massage with crystal therapy. Round semi-precious stones that fit into a massage tool are rolled smoothly over your body in a deeply relaxing experience. The massage is very popular due to the metaphysical properties of the semi precious stones that help relieve stress. Other special massage treatments at the resort include the Lomi Lomi, The Westin Workout and the Heavenly® Massage. Inspired by the grace and warmth of the Hawaiian culture, The Lomi Lomi Massage uses palms and elbows to soothe tensed muscles, allowing healing energy, leaving one refreshed and renewed. The Westin Workout Massage, on the other hand is a personalized massage that focuses on specific areas of need to help reduce muscle tension, increase the range of motion and provide a warm up activity. The Heavenly Massage is a heated compress that invites back muscles to relax and ease before choice of distinct essential oil blends are massaged into the body. Relaxation comes from the harmonious balance of scent and touch.
Sanjay Sharma, Complex General Manager, The Westin Gurgaon, New Delhi and The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa said “As a hotel we believe in delivering guest satisfaction which can be achieved only through high operational excellence; we leverage operational excellence as a means of driving robust business growth and innovation. Our benchmarks are set very high which help us implement value systems and supporting processes that enable us assertively develop business.” He further elaborated “I am a firm believer that operational excellence can be achieved only through employee satisfaction because happy employees mean happy guests.” This philosophy seems to have worked as both the properties enjoy immense popularity amongst both locals and tourists.
Another remarkable feature of the resort is its 6500 sq feet meeting and function space that can accommodate 20 to 200 guests for business meetings and special occasions. All the meeting rooms and function rooms have natural lighting, with advanced technological equipments to help execute business better. Apart from swimming and the lap pool one can enjoy recreational activities such as Horse Riding, Para Motoring, Star Gazing at The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa. One can even go fishing in the Sohna Lake which is what I did on both the days I spent there. There are recreation experts to guide you and assist in the process. I enjoyed my time at the resort owing to the hospitality of Hotel Manager Animesh Barat and his team.
While in the resort it is a good idea to visit the Xaio Chi Restaurant, Xiao Chi Bar, Mix – Lounge and Bar, Splash –poolside restaurant and The Living Room. Xaio Chi serves authentic Chinese cuisine whereas The Living Room is an all-day dining restaurant with both indoor and outdoor dining facility. It extends into a small bar that further leads into a lounge cum library. For those who enjoy a drink before or after dinner or lunch, the Xiao Chi Bar and Mix – Lounge and Bar are an ideal spot to enjoy some of the best wines, whiskeys and vodkas. Xiao Chi is the resort’s signature restaurant; it features Chinese cuisine with a hint of Beijing, Shandong, Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Mongol influence. A glass encased venue with Asian modern décor, live cooking stations and food display ensure that the venue is a visual feast. Xiao Chi which means ‘small bites’ serves small portions to provide a kaleidoscope of dishes and flavours and stimulate a sense of congeniality amongst guests at the table.
A stay at The Westin Sohna Resort and Spa is a great idea for those looking for a break and rejuvenation amidst nature and peaceful surroundings, the efficiency of the staff only adds to the wonderful experience!
Address: The Westin Sohna Resort And Spa, Vatika Complex, PO Daula, Karanki Road, Sohna, Gurgaon-122103 Haryana, India / +91 124 711 2233
