Picture this: A weekend (or rather a long weekend) is around the corner. You don’t have any concrete plan of action yet - will it be some casual socializing, attending a soiree, or just plain planning for that next anniversary vacation? Hmm. Yet another weekend spent doing the familiar activities. Consider paying heed to our friendly advice if you don’t want your next weekend to look like a spitting image of the weekend gone by. How? May we suggest venturing into the unfamiliar (or slightly familiar) terrain and doing something as spectacular as your taste in wine, watches, condos, and other finer things in life.
“If your body’s not right your day will go all wrong. Take care of yourself.”—V.L Allineare
A new way to spend the weekend will not only zhuzh up your downtime, but it will also enable you to break free from the loop of predictability. So, how about spending the weekend doing something that will energize you for weeks and maybe empower you (and your loved one) to pick up various atomic healthy habits along the way. Doesn’t seem like a bad plan, doesn't it? Enter the weekend retreats. Taking a weekend retreat isn’t only a determined way to celebrate the weekend, it’s a great way to celebrate your being too.
“The goal is to grow so strong on the inside that nothing on the outside can affect your inner wellness without your conscious permission.” — OUI, WE
Retreats are way more beneficial than regular vacations, as they are intentional in their overall approach. For instance, a few of the proven benefits of taking a weekend retreat include improvement of mental health, a significant improvement in physical health, and an opportunity to regroup. Doesn’t this sound like an i-d-e-a-l way to spend the weekend? The weekend retreats enlisted below are located in different cities in India and are known for their unique USPs. So, whether you want to prefer a weekend retreat that specializes in, say, a wellness program, or would like to go to a retreat that scores eleven out of ten in terms of ambiance and amenities, this list is all you will need.
Per day USD 347.5 | INR 27,000
Located close to exotic Alappuzha backwaters, near Marari Beach, Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, Kerala, has forty luxury villas, two backwater suites, and a sailing club. This expansive property also has 25 acres of landscape garden for a leisurely/daily walk. The villas at Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort Kerala, fuse traditional and modern décor, combining the best characteristics of both styles. Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort Kerala is an eco-conscious resort made of materials such as jute, bamboo, and recycled cardboard to cause minimum stress to the environment.
Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort offers Ayurveda treatment, naturopathy, marma (treating vital body parts damages), pranic healing, and yoga classes. Featured in Forbes magazine in 2017, this award-winning wellness resort is located on the shores of the Arabian sea. In terms of cuisines, Ida and Chimera, the restaurants at Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, offer a delectable range of continental, south Indian, and pan-Indian dishes for one to relish.
Composed of a strong mix of yoga teachers (Dr. V. P. Rajasekharan (PhD. in Yoga, M.D in alternative medicine), Gopalakrishnan Pillai (MSc. Yoga), and a few more) and Ayurveda doctors (Dr. Mobi Ommen (BAMS), Dr. Shona Antony (BAMS), Dr, Midhu Bhaskar (BAMS), and a few more), Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort qualified wellness team recommends certain long and/or short-term treatments upon satisfactorily diagnosing a guest’s condition.
The 8 Days Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Package at Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort Kerala, India includes
COST: USD 2,433 | INR 1,89,000
Per day USD 251 | INR 19,500
The Zuri Kumarakom Resort And Spa, Kerala is a backwater spa, located on the shores of the Vembanad Lake. The lake has the distinction of being the longest backwater lake in Kerala. The Zuri Kumarakom is surrounded by the elements of nature and has an air of luxury to it.
The five-star deluxe resort has 72 rooms which include 18 Zuri Rooms, 16 Zuri Deluxe Rooms, 28 Zuri Cottages, and 10 Zuri Presidential Pool Villas. The resort caters to leisure and business travelers as well by customizing experiences for them. Its Presidential Pool Villa is spread out over 70 sq m and comprises a living and dining room, master bedroom, semi-outdoor bathroom, and a private garden overlooking a private pool.
The resort has all the state-of-art amenities to provide you a world-class comfort. The Zuri Kumarakom Resort And Spa, Kerala has been awarded Best Resort Spa Hotel in 2007 &2008, World Travel Award 2010, and TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards in 2011. It offers a bevy of wellness packages such as rejuvenation, detoxification, massages of various kinds, and western and oriental therapies to help you let go of all your worries.
The 14 days Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Package at Kumarakom Ayurvedic Resort Kerala, India includes
COST: USD 3,262 | INR 2,53,500
Per day USD 195 | INR 15,163
Located in the temple town of Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra, Viveda Wellness Village’s stoic structure is crafted with natural elements such as stones and greenery, as if to match the serenity of the holy town it is located in. Viveda Wellness Village has 16 handcrafted cottages with floor-to-ceiling windows and doors, extending itself to a garden area. Some cottages come with a jacuzzi too. The integrated wellness village follows Indian values of hospitality, treating every guest it sees, like a God.
Its Nakshatra Garden has a total of 108 trees, with four trees dedicated to each of the 21 nakshatras. Our ancient texts suggest meditating under trees linked to zodiac signs, to achieve optimum health. But, that’s not all. The wellness village has 27 flower beds that constantly fill the atmosphere with their aromatic medley. Its reflexology pathways are arranged for a hot and cold water experience, to release stress and sharpen concentration. Naivedhya, Viveda’s in-house restaurant, is famed for serving calorie-determined satvik and vegan dishes to encourage an individual to develop a healthy eating regimen
The wellness village believes in taking a customized approach – be it Naturopathy, Ayurveda, yoga, or any other international therapy – to aid an individual regain their wellness momentum. The property frequently conducts various open-air sessions and consultations to curate a one-of-a-kind experience for its guests. Viveda Wellness Village is also involved in a range of community welfare activities that can be broadly classified into education, environment, and community health. The wellness village is routinely involved in tree plantation drives, organizing health check-up camps for the villagers, and more.
The 4 Days Complete Rejuvenation Retreat Nasik, Maharashtra by Viveda Wellness Village, Nashik includes
COST: USD 585 | INR 45,489
Per day USD 193 | INR 15,000
Modi Yoga Retreat in Rishikesh, is a holistic ultra-luxury wellness treat that intends to bridge the distance between your physical, emotional, and spiritual self. Modi Yoga Retreat takes a detailed approach to wellness comprising Advaita, Yoga, and Living Beyond 100 to help you reach the peak of your wellness potential.
All its programs are customized as per the guest’s needs and ailments to extract their efficacy down to the last drop. Urli – its multi-cuisine restaurant serves well-nourished meals to keep your doshas at bay whereas its poolside bar serves more than twenty five different types of tea to choose from apart from serving an extensive range of healthy freshly squeezed juices, and shakes.
The centre also offers somnipathy – a sleep-based wellness program designed to address various sleep-related issues and concerns such as insomnia, sleep apnea, stress and anxiety, and restless leg syndrome. Modi Yoga Retreat (MYR) Rishikesh was awarded Best Holistic Wellness Retreat in India in 2021 at International Spa & Beauty Awards.
The 8 Days Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy Retreat in Rishikesh by Modi Yoga Retreat Rishikesh includes
COST: USD 1,351| INR 1,05,000
Per day USD 182 | INR 14,178
Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort is an Ayurvedic beachfront resort in Kerala. Located at Chowara beach with over 15 acres of greenery, Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort is the only Indian Ayurveda hospital with a hall of fame. The village is regularly covered and reviewed in prominent international publications such as La Repubblica, El Mundo, Petit Fute, and more. That’s not all. The retreat is widely recognized as an important wellness center and has been awarded National Award five times for its impeccable work in the field of wellness.
Started thirty years ago, with the objective of becoming the world’s first Ayurveda hospital with a resort-like setting, Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort, today, has grown by leaps and bounds. The Ayurveda village is the brainchild of Baby Matthew, an Ayurveda evangelist who has done remarkable work in making Ayurveda popular across the European continent.
Somatheeram Ayurveda Resort offers wellness packages such as Rejuvenation therapy, Panchakarma / Detoxification / Body purification, Slimming, Stress management, Anti-aging, Beauty care, and various Clinical treatments for cure. It also has an Ayurveda hospital and research institute attached to it. The entire Ayurveda village is NABH certified. The resort was started with a mission to offer the essence and soul of the ancient medical science of Ayurveda and the art of yoga and meditation to the masses and manufactures its own medicines using medicinal herbs from its garden.
The 8 days Ayurvedic Panchakarma & Rejuvenation Kovalam, Kerala by Somatheeram Ayurveda Village Kerala includes
COST: USD 1,277 | INR 99,251
Per day USD 141.2 | INR 10,977
Surrounded at the foot of Nilgiri and Annamalai ranges, Kairali Ayurvedic Hotel & Spa in Palakkad, Kerala has thirty premium villas, perfumed naturally with the scent of Pala trees. The center has red oxide flooring, rare to find Valambari conch shell, and a gentle stream flowing around its villa. As the Ayurvedic healing village is located in the lap of nature, the guests can expect to see a lot of green throughout their stay. Founded in 1989, Kairali Ayurvedic healing village is run by an experienced family of doctors who are committed to finding the traditional solutions to modern problems.
The healing village has won certain prestigious awards on the global and local level such as the World Travel Awards (considered Oscar of travel awards) in 2015, AYUSH Brand of the Year 2015, the Hospitality Excellence Award in 2014, and more. The village was founded by K.V. Ramesh with his life partner Gita Ramesh. Kairali Ayurvedic Hotel & Spa is designed, in accordance with the ancient science of Vaastu Shastra, to attract positive energies.
Over the years, Kairali Ayurvedic Hotel & Spa in Palakkad, Kerala has become synonymous with the ultra-luxury wellness getaway. Its Ayurvedic healing village is a unique space offering a range of traditional Ayurvedic therapies, meditation, yoga, and more. Those seeking an elite wellness experience will definitely won’t be disappointed here.
The 4 Days Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Wellness Retreat Palakkad Kerala by Kairali Healing Village Retreat Kerala includes
COST: USD 424 | INR 32,931
Per day USD | INR
Set on twenty acres, the walls at Vana Wellness Retreat Dehradun are kept neutral to shine the spotlight on the natural ambiance. The retreat, in 2015, achieved LEED Platinum status, making Vana, the first retreat in India to have achieved this status. The rooms at Vana are equipped with LED lighting, In com control system to ensure efficient monitoring of energy (light + heat) usage. Further, the property keeps its night outdoor lighting to a bare minimum, so as not to obstruct the natural nocturnal habitat. At Vana, everybody enters as equals – and no distinction is made between the two guests (or Vanvasis.) The retreat tries to tweak its offerings (in terms of food and other features) as per the prevalent season – Vasanta, Grishma, Varsha, Sharad, Hemanta, and Shishira.
The guests of Vana are lovingly referred to as Vanvasis (the dwellers of the forest). These Vanvasis try to tap into the restorative benefits of the forest to find equilibrium between the physical, the emotional, and the spiritual self. Vana (meaning forest) Wellness Retreat, Dehradun, lives up to its name and character in many ways. Let us explain! First, it is a forest-based wellness retreat that offers the choicest range of wellness programs rooted in Ayurveda, Sowa Rigpa (Traditional Tibetan Medicine), and Yoga to revive your mind, body, and spirit. Second, it is enveloped in virtually all shades of green (you name a green shade, and you’ll spot it here!)
Vana also encourages its staff and guests to practice an energy-efficient means of habitation while on retreat. As it envisions putting Indian farmers at the heart of Indian society, Vana makes its own versions of classic cheeses, ghee, miso, and Kombuchas, instead of sourcing canned produces.The wellness retreat also uses karess paper (100% post-consumer recycled paper) with a ‘use-one-tissue-at-a-time’ approach, green seal-certified solvents, biodegradable garbage bags, soy wax T-light candles, bed and beddings made of organic linen to create negligible stress on the environment.
The 4 days An Ayurvedic Retreat Program in Dehradun by Vana Wellness Retreat Dehradun includes
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Located in a hundred-acre Maharaja’s Palace Estate and surrounded by sal forests, Ananda Ayurveda Resort & Spa Rishikesh came into being, when its founder, Ashok Khanna, stumbled upon the Palace Estate of the Maharaja at Narendra Nagar, Tehri Garhwal, two decades ago. Enraptured by the beauty of the palace and the fact that it was frequented by Southern India’s hugging saint ‘Ma Anandmayi’, Khanna wasted no time further in converting it into a haven of wellness.
Since then, Ananda in The Himalayas, Rishikesh has become the preferred luxury wellness retreat among decadent travelers, besides carving a niche for itself for organizing offbeat retreats such as musical retreats from time to time. Ranked number 1 Destination Spa 2020 by Conde Nast Traveler USA & UK readers, Ananda is a trusted name in the field of wellness, and has an immense brand value and recall in the ultra-premium wellness segment.
Ananda incorporates Ayurveda, Yoga, Vedanta, organic cuisine, and the best global wellness practices to craft a wellness experience that is long-lasting and truly memorable. Ananda offers bountiful wellness packages such as renew, active fitness, holistic detox, dhyana meditation, and more, which can be customized as per an individual’s unique requirements. Recently, it has also introduced newer therapies such as Oriental therapy and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) to buttress its wellness arsenal. Ananda also offers work from hills package, in a conducive ambiance for those facing creative blocks at their work or plainly seeking some creative inspiration. The wellness haven is also ideal for people wanting to break away from the tepid and sterile environment to work amidst stunning views.
The 8 Days Yoga & Shatkriya Detox Rishikesh by Ananda Ayurveda Resort & Spa Rishikesh includes
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Atmantan Wellness Centre, Pune is India’s most luxurious integrated wellness destination spa located in the crystalline land of Mulshi in the lap of the lush green Sahyadri Mountains. The resort offers an expanse of 6525 sq. ft. of fitness facilities in addition to world-class spa and wellness therapies like traditional Ayurveda, oriental acupressure, aromatherapy massages, Chi Nei Tsang, purifying body polishes, cocooning wraps, and Pranic chakra cleansing. It is a wholesome amalgamation of pampering your mind, body, and soul.
Atmantan was founded by Sharmilee Agarwal and Nikhil Kapur and has hosted celebrity guests such as Karisma Kapoor, Randeep Hooda, and Sanjeev Kapoor to name a few, since its inception. True to its name, Atma (soul), Mana (mind), and Tan (body), the resort is dedicated to providing you with a rejuvenating experience that will return you as a renewed individual.
Their special ‘farm to fork’ cuisine is curated to satiate your taste buds as well as nutritional needs, with fresh ingredients sourced from local farms, free of preservatives. Atmantan living offers a range of evidence-based wellness packages such as a master cleanse, weight balance, and journey through yoga, which help you align your mind and body while gaining utmost peace. Atmantan’s visiting practitioners include transformational teacher and sage Jacqueline Bourbon, holistic chef Ronaldo Fulieri, nutrition specialist Dr. Liana Nenacheva, wellness consultant Toby Maguire (featured in Forbes magazine and Sunday Times), and a few more.
The 6 days Journey Through Yoga Retreat Pune by Atmantan Wellness Resort Mulshi, Pune, Maharashtra includes
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Cocooned in nature, Niraamaya Wellness Retreat Kerala, the multi-award-winning wellness property, offers a vast gamut of wellness therapies including traditional yoga and Ayurveda. The rooms at Niraamaya, and in fact the entire Niraamaya, are designed with the lowest density of guests per acre to give one an unparalleled sense of spatial luxury and comfort. Its Kumarakom retreat, for instance, is an idyllic backwater Ayurveda resort, offering an extensive range of plush Ayurveda treatments. On the other hand, its Kovalam retreat is perched on a dramatic cliff edge surrounded by isolated beaches, to give you an unhindered view of nature.
Niraamya believes in unlocking the destination’s cultural identity through food, architecture, and wellness programs. It also is involved in a series of educational projects, to help certain local communities grow and prosper. Nirmaaya takes sustainability measures quite seriously. As a part of its sustainability drive, Niraamya strives to reduce its carbon footprint whilst protecting the natural values of the destinations it is at.
The 4 days Relax and Rejuve Program 'Rasayana' Trivandrum, Kerala by Niraamaya Wellness Retreat Trivandrum, Kerala includes
COST: USD | INR
Conclusion:
Famous Sufi philosopher Rumi once said, “Work on being in love with the person in the mirror who has been through so much but is still standing.”
These weekend wellness retreats will benefit your mental, physical, and spiritual health, ultimately making you fall in love with the person you see daily in the mirror (dare we say, head over heels, here). And, what could be better than that? So, go ahead and fill your weekend with purpose by booking a wellness program at any of these weekend wellness retreats listed above. After all, life can be enjoyed the most when the body, the mind, and the spirit are in rhythm.
A quick recap of the list of TOP 10 Luxury Weekend Wellness Retreat India