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Lap Of Luxury
Published: Volume 16, Issue 4, April, 2008
From pools of wellness to delight the aching limbs and musical ragas piped with aromatic herbs, to luxe bowers that breathe sheer splendour, spas have spun their magic through exotic menus

Ode To Royalty
Experience the flavours of royalty and the exquisiteness of princely India as you soak yourself in a sandalwood bath in the Spa section, the erstwhile Royal Zenana or the personal quarters of the queens and princesses, at the Taj Spa, Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior. The heritage hotel has been sculpted within the erstwhile residence of the late Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia. The unusual couple suite offers the signature mangal snan treatment where you and your significant other can experience a luxurious bathing ceremony amidst swaying chanderi drapes as musicians serenade both of you from behind the delicate filigreed screen. Traditionally, this treatment preceded the royal coronation ceremony or a wedding ceremony and entailed as many as 10 anointments followed by elaborate bathing rituals. The Taj Spa offers you live Indian music ragas specially chosen to complement this auspicious bath while you are pampered with a fragrant melee of age-old spices, herbs and oils.
Jayendraganj Lashkar, Gwalior 474 009, Madhya Pradesh.
Tel: 91 751 2444 000
Email: ushakiran.gwalior@tajhotels.com

Holistic Haven
At Chiva-Som Spa, the therapies bring in the natural resources found in the Kingdom of Thailand. Indigenous ingredients like hibiscus, lemongrass, lime, jasmine rice, aloe, turmeric, sesame, organic honey from the rainforest breathe a special glow into your being. Native flower essences soothe frazzled nerves and the soothing strains of Oriental notes create a magical lull to let your stress evaporate. The Chiva-Som revitalising body cocoon begins with a zesty lemongrass, citrus and spice scrub followed by a massage and body wrap. What is particularly exotic is the Siam Ritual cocoon that comes complete with herbal scrub, sea salts and exotic massage oils, laced with tangerine and geranium. It’s perfect to simply relieve, revive and refresh.
73/4 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuab Khirikhan, 77110, Thailand.
Tel: 3253 6536
Email: reservation@chivasom.com

Forest Essentials
The Oberoi, Mauritius woos you with a perfect blend of exotic natural extracts through its spa menu. Located on the north-west coast of the island, the resort stands fringed by 20-acre lush tropical gardens. In a setting enhanced by exemplary instances of African and Asian craftsmanship, the signature 90-minute ylang ylang massage brings with it aphrodisiac-like qualities in a self-healing treatment. Ylang ylang oil is mixed with mineral salts harvested from neighbouring Madagascar and mixed into a body scrub. Large salt crystals and oils ease the dead cells off your skin. A body wrap of crushed volcanic rock serves to flush out the toxins from your body. If there is heaven on earth, it is right here.
Turtle Bay, Pointe aux Piments, Mauritius.
Tel: 204 3600
Email: reservations@oberoi.internet.mu

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