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Destination body-mind-soul

Hyderabad is waking up to exotic massages and seaweed wraps, thanks to the mushrooming of leisure spas. Syeda Farida reports

SOUL THING Model Karan is one for pampering the body Photo: K.Ramesh Babu

A few years ago, folks in Hyderabad had to travel to an Ananda in Himalayas to smell the chamomile and soak in rose petal baths. While entrepreneurs who wanted to offer a body-mind-soul package thought other metros were just right to open shop. Massages, read panchakarma, were more for therapeutic reasons. Not any more as more people today are opting for a few quick moments of pure indulgence--scented candles, soothing instrumental notes and hush ambience, what with leisure spas mushrooming in town. And on offer are some of the popular spa treatments available around the world.

For the spiritually inclined, there is the zenesque Thai massage as also a healing deep tissue massage to unwind after a hectic gym routine. Shaitsu, Balinese and Swedesh massage by masseurs trained in Singapore and Thailand, complete the list. A culture shock for those used to a one-hour maalish with olive oil. And it doesn't end with massages. Enter tangerine and honey wraps that do wonders to your skin. Welcome to the soul experience.

"Facial for the body," explains Dheeraj Koneru, managing director, Latitudes Spa. "The focus is on experience," he explains. The plush leisure spa with its range of massages and wraps, and each treatment, is complete with steam and sauna. On the cards are hydrotherapy as also seaweeds and minerals to pamper your body.

Aromatic rose baths and ancient Indian herbal body wraps is what Pacific Spa has to offer. "We have a lot of businesswomen coming down ," says a therapist at the spa. "It's a treat. After a busy week all you need is a quality time to unwind. I live in Habsiguda and make it a point to go for a weekend of spa indulgence," says Paromita, a copywriter. Agrees model Karan, "the schedule is hectic and you want to pamper your body."

With the have-money-will-indulge tribe on the rise, the situation only gets better.

"With the kind of growth in Hyderabad and with the city becoming more or less IT capital of India, I am sure spas have a great future here. Work style has changed a lot along with high stress levels. Hyderabadis are opening up to rejuvenation mantra," says Krishna Suri, resort manager, Golconda Resorts and Spa. Latitude also plans to open up more branches in town soon. There is room sure for more spas in town, as Hyderabadis are coming to terms with spa as a place not for a mere pedicure, but one for a body-mind- soul experience.

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