Day spas come to Delhi

The concept is aimed at de-stressing up-market clients, who have
more money than time

MANIKA GUPTA & RAJKUMAR LEISHEMBA

A spa is the ultimate experience in sybaritic pleasure seeking. And if you don’t have the time to seek out a mountain resort, which is where you would think to find most spa facilities, the concept itself revolving around mineral springs, take heart. Modern day spas simulate the basic concept with technological innovations and you can now indulge yourself in Delhi itself, at the two new spas that have opened here recently, the one at the Grand Hyatt and the other offered by beauty expert Blossom Kochhar.

Spa Oasis at the Grand Hyatt is aimed at up-market clients, who need not stay at the hotel to avail of the facility. Manager Dr Narendra Shetty claims that the Rs 10 crore spa “will provide classical Swedish, aroma and Thai therapies. Along with Shiatsu, you can also opt for body scrubs, body wraps and Ayurvedic treatments, with either oil or steam baths.”

“We will also provide fitness training programmes, including Yoga and other traditional healing techniques such as Pranic healing and Taichi,” adds Dr Shetty. He says that spa is a much misunderstood concept and explains: “When we say spa, the things that come to the mind of most people are hot baths, saunas and jacuzzis.” But there is more to a spa than just that, and those are the features that Spa Oasis plans to offer its clients.

So why a spa? Hyatt International’s director of spa operations Gordon Tareta says, “There has been a 25-30 per cent increase in the growth volume of spas worldwide, and the demand is still exceeding supply.” In fact, he explains, hotels across the world are increasing their spa facilities.

Mr Tareta informs us that a resort spa will come up at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Goa by next September. “We are optimistic about our Delhi venture. We know how to work,” he quips with a grin. “What makes a spa work is that it meet the criterion of providing the five basic elements of relaxation, rejuvenation, reflection, education and perspective. We are prepared to fulfil all these.”

Spa Oasis will charge Rs 2,000-3,000 for half a day’s treatment, says Dr Shetty, and Rs 3,000-4,000 for a full day. “The treatment will be based entirely on the requirements of the clients,” he says, adding that there are also three, five and seven-day programme packages available. Spa Oasis will be fully functional by the first week of December.

On a more modest scale is the Blossom Kochhar Beauty Clinic. Ms Kochhar explains it simply: “Give us your body and we’ll give you back your mind.”

“The spa has a holistic approach,” she further explains. “The therapies that we adopt here are hydrotherapy, aromatherapy, colour therapy, music therapy and touch therapy.” One can spend a whole day here, undergoing mineral baths, body wraps and de-stressing treatments, all involving skin and hair care.

On entering the Blossom Kochhar day spa, the client is greeted by the spa personnel and offered a beverage, and asked to fill out his personal details on a form. He then changes into a robe and is taken into a dark room for an hour of therapeutic massage—a Swedish massage or one based on aromatherapy, according to his individual needs. Specially designed oils from Ms Kochhar’s Aroma magic line are used for the aromatherapy massage.

Then, the client’s skin is fully analysed and other recommended procedures discussed. He is then offered a personalised programme of skin care and professional services, which include facial treatment, waxing, body wraps, peeling and pigmentation treatment. Special packages of body exfoliation, remodelling, detoxification, remineralising and age management are also offered.

The client is then given manicure and pedicure, while he relaxes, listening to music. He is also visited by a hair stylist and given a hair cut, according to his face and body type.

The Blossom Kochhar spa charges Rs 1,500 for a day’s spa treatment. Wanna try, anybody?