Ananda in the Himalayas

Ananda-In The Himalayas is located in the foothills of Himalayas, overlooking the sacred Ganges and surrounded by acres of sal trees. The added attraction is the quaint palace of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal, with its very individualistic style. The palace draws heavily from Moorish architecture, with accents of Italian Renaissance columns coupled with Gujarati / Rajasthani jarrokhas, which extend into the Viceregal Palace. The Viceregal Palace, is again a composite structure, but much less stylized, with Indian Bijapuri arches on the outside, coupled with Art Deco interior.

The whole topography of the hotel, of 100 acres is enchanting and exciting. The track meandering through the wood with heavy and lush greenery unfolds to a dramatic view – the valley of Rishikesh with the Ganges flowing royally into its heart. Most of the wooded areas of the property have been kept intact and care has been taken not to uproot even a single tree. Additional plants, shrubs and trees have been planted and some niches and courtyards are built around trees to retain them.

Care has been taken to maintain the dignity and majesty of the palace and its environs are not tampered with. The palace has been restored to its former glory and made comfortable for the guests with modern technology.

The master plan for the property was developed, starting with the entry from the Palace grounds, with a palatial gate, and a driveway focusing on the Palace façade. There are no petrol / diesel vehicles allowed on the premises. All internal transportation within the 30 acres of the resort is by electric carts or walking tracks.

The hotel’s design is divided into the following sections:
• The entrance and reception at the Palace
• Luxury Villas
• The sports and spa complex coupled with an Amphitheatre for entertainment and concerts of classical music and chanting of mantras
• Spa
• Lounge and Restaurant
• Guest Residence

Almost all guest areas from the reception to the guest residence overlook the valley of Rishikesh and the Ganges. The architectural design of the entire project is in consonance with the mountain terrain. The guest room block is built on a slope, with stepped architecture. Terracotta roof tiles have been used, similar to the ones used in cottages and buildings in the nearby hamlet of Narendra Nagar. Modern facilities have been built with indigenous materials wherever possible.

Ananda Spa
The 24,000 square foot spa offers an extensive menu of over 79 body and beauty treatments, integrating the traditional Indian systems of Ayurveda with the more contemporary Western spa approach. The spa experience strives to achieve the ultimate harmony between the physical and the mental realms of the individual.

With unique focus on the traditional Indian sciences of Yoga and Ayurveda; Ananda Spa creates the skillful synthesis between age-old therapies and modern spa technology. The personalized therapy and activities programme are designed to meet individual needs and health goals – de-stress, detoxification and cleansing, deep relaxation, anti-ageing, weight & inch loss, while also offering guidance in the areas of nutrition and exercise.

24 treatment rooms with specialized areas for Ayurveda, Oriental and European systems of holistic health, a team of qualified nutritionists, Western & Ayurvedic physicians, spa therapists with knowledge of ancient Indian sciences and modern western treatments – all gently guide you towards a better lifestyle.

Ananda Spa also offers a temperature controlled outdoor lap pool and a state of the art 16-station life-cycle gymnasium.

Guest Residence
The guestroom residence consists of seventy Deluxe rooms, three Deluxe Suites and one Ananda Suite. The rooms have been designed with a minimalist yet holistic approach.

Each room has warm and elegant wooden floors, which have been offset with just the essential furniture, a walk-in closet, dressing area and well lit bathrooms. The bathrooms are restful retreats, where the guest can commune with the beautiful vistas while relaxing in the sunken bathtubs.

Spa Philosophy – Ananda Spa

Rediscover happiness and self-contentment at Ananda. Ananda Spa is dedicated to restoring balance and harmonising energies through a holistic approach blending the healing principles of the East and West with a specific focus on Ayurveda along with contemporary spa technology. The Ananda Spa is dedicated to providing guests with a total immersion in discovering a well-being oriented lifestyle and a holistic therapy approach. At the heart of the wellness focus is the integration of yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic philosophies along with purifying whole body therapies incorporating the five elements of nature thus creating harmony between the mind, body and spirit.

On arrival guests will begin their spa experience at Ananda by receiving a consultation with one of the spa experts. This will allow Ananda to assist in creating a personalised therapy and activity programme designed to meet guests individual needs and expectations to achieve their health goals along with guidance in the areas of: nutrition, exercise, stress management, detoxification, deep relaxation and anti-ageing.

Spa Facilities – Ananda Spa
The journey from the palace to the spa snakes through woods and manicured lawns. The reception of the spa is an airy atrium hall, were natural breeze flow through ancient pines and wild flowers. The spa consists of three levels including a state-of-the-art gymnasium overlooking the gardens of the Palace and the valley of Rishikesh. The gymnasium has its own training master and a hall for aerobics.

Separate wet spas for men and women offer the following facilities:

• A Finnish sauna overlooking the valley and the forest
• Turkish steam bath
• Chilled plunge pool
• Jacuzzi with spectacular view
• A footbath area, with natural rounded Ganga pebbles of different grades, in which, the water temperatures change from one segment to the other segment of the footbath
• A built in hydro-massage system

A walkway leads to the therapy rooms offering treatments like ayurvedic massages, detoxification, hydro body exfoliating / scrub rub, water jet, cellular massage, Swedish and Thai massage. The massage rooms are equipped with private aromatic baths, and rest rooms. Each of these rooms has individual showers.

A unique feature of the spa is the large Couples’ Suite, with its double Jacuzzi, steam, resting areas and treatments where guests can have a private facial or body wrap.

One of the highlights of Ananda is the Beauty Institute, offering a variety of beauty treatments including facials, skin care, body wraps and aromatherapy.

The spa complex also houses a boutique where arts, crafts and accessories specially designed and developed for the resort are available. Adjoining the spa complex is an outdoor heated swimming pool and another Jacuzzi.

Beauty Experience

Skin Care

Ananda Royal Facial (85 minutes)
Delight the senses and let your skin be renewed with this unique facial treatment. which begins with a relaxing back massage and concludes with a foot massage. Your skin will feel soft, refreshed and detoxified.

Himalayan Honey And Rose Facial (55 minutes)
This stimulating and refreshing facial uses a blend of Sandalwood and Rose essential oils. Pure honey is massaged into the skin and a mask of cooling cucumber is applied. While the mask hydrates your skin enjoy a soothing hand and foot massage.

Mountain Dew Skin Freshener (70 minutes)
Designed to awaken “within” the body’s innate healing ability which is suppressed due to stress and environmental factors Dry/Dehydrated/sun damaged and sensitive skins-an intensive treatment focuses on replenishing lost moisture using the power of pure essential oils of Sandalwood and Rose combined with Aloe gel, Rose distillate and sandalwood dust. Oily/Combination and problematic skins- A deep cleansing facial using pure essential oils of Juniper and Indian Holy Basil eliminate impurities and congestion.

Rose Quartz Glow (75 minutes)
Rose quartz crystals energized in the Holy Ganges River, surrender their soothing, nurturing vibrations, calming the most sensitive of skins. Feel the warm pink energy of the crystals as the face is gently cleansed, exfoliated and hydrated using pure blended essential oils of Rose, Aloe Vera and Sandalwood dust. Feel embraced and at peace as Rose crystal wands glide across your skin. For extra nurturing you are embraced by a web of Rose Quartz crystals to protect your aura.

Amethyst Rejuvenation (75 minutes)
Feel nurtured, cocooned and protected whilst lying within an Amethyst crystal web. Experience the ultimate healing facial as Amethyst crystals release their cleansing vibrations, assisting to purify and give life back to congested skin. Feel an aura of healing energy whilst the combination of the Amethyst crystal wands, Rose and Vetiver pure essential oils hydrate, cool, balance and decongest.

Tibetan Ku Nye Facial ( 75 minutes )
Ancient Tibetan oil and organic sea buckthorn bestow cellular rejuvenation, improving microcirculation to the skin aiding in the anti-ageing process. The Tibetan Ku Nye facial balances our core energy. Beginning with a rose hip scrub to exfoliate and prepare the skin for the sea buckthorn elixir. Deep lymphatic drainage and acupressure with hot stones restores a glowing radiance to the skin. A lavender and honey mask completes the experience.

Vishuddha Harmonising Facial ( 55 minutes )
Vishuddhameans ‘extremely pure’ .The 16 petals of the throat chakra are reflected on the face. Rose oil is the medium for healing and combined with ancient marma massage and light nurturing stokes this facial purifies and opens up the energy field of the face and neck. It works to remove blockages and stimulate the flow of energy along the pathways of the face and so prepare them to receive the prana and light. This facial awakens the blissful higher energy in the body as well as restoring beautiful and glowing skin.

The Himalayan Express ( 25 minutes )
The Himalayan express is a quick confidence booster and skin brightener. A gentle yet firm massage tones tired face muscles while special uplifting blended creams/oils and distillates cleanse, tone and moisturise, leaving you looking your absolute best.

Aroma Hot Oil (45 minutes)
The pure essential oils of lavender, geranium and rosemary are massaged into the scalp for hydrating, regenerative and calming effects. The hair is towel steamed to help better absorb the essential oils to improve hydration and elasticity of the hair. This treatment is excellent for dry, dehydrated and sensitive scalp and hair.