The yoga capital of the world; Rishikesh is famous for hindu pilgrimage and spiritual tranquility. If you want to experience the world of wellness you must choose to stay with The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas; Finest Wellness Retreat. Located just 45 minutes away from Jolly Grant Airport Dehradun the resort sits near the pilgrimage and yoga hub of the world, nestled in the picturesque foothills of the mighty himalayas.
The hotel offers 141 rooms with glorious valley views, including one-of-a-kind garden villas with private plunge pools as well as flexible meeting and event spaces. The plunge pool in our suite and the infinity hotel pool are temperature controlled. The resort features four exceptional restaurants and bars, the largest conference room in Rishikesh, a heated swimming pool with comfortable gazebos and an infinity pool with a floating bar offering stunning views of the ocean and mountain scene. Inspired by the brand’s six pillars of wellness – Sleep Well, Eat Well, Exercise Well, Feel Well, Work Well and Play Well – the resort allowed us to personalize our stay and participate in the program. All bedrooms feature the brand’s signature Beds, sleek bathrooms with Bath showers, the brand’s signature White Tea aloe vera bath products, and Sleep Well Lavender Balm to promote sleep. We definitely had an uninterrupted and rejuvenated night sleep.
Their dining experience is something to look out for; With a farm-to-table concept, Akasa is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant serving international and local cuisines where guests can enjoy an interactive dining experience with ideas show kitchen. Upon our arrival I had their special Garhwali Thali at Akasa which made by locally sourced ingredients and it was so favourable.
At the Westin Saga, we had their local snacks served with tea and coffee and masala milk in the evening. Pebbles is a poolside barbecue and grill that offers guests a variety of delicious cocktails and snacks where they also arranged a BBQ on the sky deck. I had their spiced mixed platter. Toya is a progressive Asian restaurant where diners can experience a live Teppanyaki show indoors or enjoy a fresh al fresco dining experience while gazing at the wooded hillside. Haven Lounge is the hotel’s lounge, the perfect place to relax while enjoying the beautiful valley views with snacks and fine malts. The best thing you’ll have here is their signature hot chocolate. It’s yummy! I also had pineapple, Fig and goat’s chicken pizza, eggplant parmigiana, ayurvedic khichdi and lemon honey cheesecake.
The resort features a 1,115-square-foot wellness deck with comprehensive amenities including 10 treatment rooms and professional therapists to deliver the Heavenly Spa by Westin experience. The tranquil spa features holistic massages, sage rollers, body wraps and signature scrubs, plus an infinity pool and steam room. I booked their signature ayurvedic treatment.
The hotel offers elegant event space measuring 1,985 square meters, including a large 718 square meter columnless ballroom, as well as two banquet halls and conference rooms. Designed to inspire and entertain kids with fun activities like Zumba, origami and potty drawing, among others, the Westin Family Kids Club is located on site and provides imaginative spaces for young guests to play, learn and create unforgettable memories.
Offering a wealth of unusual experiences, guests at The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas; Finest Wellness Retreat can ignite adrenaline with leisure activities or relax with a selection of serene offerings, including a movie under the stars, or camping of a picturesque hill. They had set up a camp-like setup for us on the hilltop. We loved the view from there.
Those wishing to unleash the magic of their surroundings can witness the breathtaking Ganga Aarti, a prayer ritual and most important event related to the sacred Ganges. Rituals are performed daily along the banks of the Ganges, including singing hymns, lighting fires, flowers and worshiping at sunset as a sign of deep gratitude and respect for the river while seeking its blessings. A hike to Kunjapuri Temple offers an end-to-end spiritual adventure, or you can opt for a getaway from a wildlife safari at Rajaji National Park.