Spa escape

A round-up of some of the best spa retreats and treatments in the city

Chennaiites are taking to spa therapy like never before. It could be Ayurvedic, Swedish, Thai, Balinese, Hawaiian or even contemporary, but this today is our definition of luxury. Unwinding under the steady, deep strokes of a therapist, benefits like increased blood circulation and toxins being flushed out are secondary to the supreme state of calm a good massage can bring.

Revive, replenish, restore

Taj Spa, Fisherman’s Cove
Healing, the Indian way, is the focal point at this spa by the beach. ‘‘We place a lot of emphasis on rituals and all the oils have only Indian ingredients,’’ says spa manager and Ayurvedic doctor, Anuradha Mathad. The spa, which provides both signature and Ayurvedic treatments, is popular with out-of-towners, for the Samardana or the deep tissue massage. Vishrani or the relaxation massage is the highest sold. If you’re short on time, slip in for the 45-minute ‘head and shoulder’ Champi massage. While soothing sounds of nature echo in the background, you will easily drift away thanks to the rhythmic kneading and lightly fragranced oils.

Signature treatments: Each lasts over two hours and can be administered by male or female therapists. Most in demand – Jivaniya, a spice scrub followed by a deep-tissue massage. If you opt for the exotic, there’s Shuddikara, a detox special where you will be scrubbed with orange peel and papaya puree and wrapped in plantain leaves for 20 minutes. This will be followed by a lymphatic massage. Signature treatments are around Rs 3500 plus taxes. Check out: There’s a season’s discount of 15 per cent off on signature treatments for two till September 2008.

Speciality: ‘‘Being Indian is our USP. We don’t have the usual Swedish, Thai or Balinese massages,’’ says Anuradha. Soma or the two-hour couple massage is an oft-requested anniversary gift, she adds – an hour of massage, private time in a flower-filled bath with a bottle of champagne. Rs 7150 + taxes

Reservations at 67413400

Aura, The Park
Named as the Most Innovative Spa of the Year at the Asia Spa India Awards in 2007, each of the nine rooms here opulently themed after one of the navratnas (nine gems). Located in the heart of the city, it is popular with celebrities like Madhavan, socialites and expats who come in for deep tissue, acupressure, Swedish, and reflexology treatments as well as Ayurvedic, Balinese, Thai, Swedish and Hawaiian therapies.

Signature treatments: The truly unusual comes in the garb of contemporary spin like Soul Balancing. ‘‘We are the only spa in India offering Soul Balancing, which helps relieve the body of negative energy and emotional pain through certain points on the face, scalp and feet,’’ explains spa manager, Megha Dinesh.

Speciality: Decleor facials in the salon, the pregnancy massages (in box) and the Hawaiian massage (Rs 2,500 for an hour). The latter, more popular with men, is said to ‘‘open up the heart chakra’’ according to Megha. ‘Time out for Two’ in the lush Ruby room, is for couples – massages and facials, with champagne, chocolate and herbal tea served to them later during the whirlpool session. Rs 8200 + taxes

Reservations: 42144000

Oryza
In 2004, Latha Mohan, by then well-known for her chain of Kanya salons, launched Oryza, ‘‘a purely Oriental and Western spa.’’ ‘‘I didn’t want to compete with specialists in Ayurveda because I felt there was enough of that in the city,’’ she says. Thanks to the spa’s location, clients hop over for a quick massage or foot reflexology session during their lunch break. Oryza can promise you ultimate relaxation at their sound-proofed therapy rooms. The Thai massages are dry, unlike Indian Ayurvedic massages (which are also available at the spa). But if you’d rather have one of their luxe treatments, try the citrus cooler, their summer special, or the peppermint scalp treatment. A couple’s massage room is also available, where you and your partner can get massages together.

Signature treatment: Their soaks, especially the milk bath cooler where you can soak in a tub of fresh milk with rose petals by candlelight, a la Cleopatra. For the men, there is the ever-popular sports massage – the deep tissue massage helps increase blood circulation and tones muscles.

Speciality: The Javanese treatment which includes a vitamin oil massage, a body pack and a luxurious milk bath (Rs 4,500).


Ayush
With spare, utilitarian interiors, Hindustan Lever’s Ayush offers value-for-money massages that provide stress relief and rejuvenation, weight management, and address aches and pains and hair and skin problems. With 11 branches in Chennai alone, this place has a basic 45-minute Abhyangam for Rs 550 only.
While most of the clients are below 40, you’ll also bump into well-known faces, be it Vikram, Yesudas or T N Seshan.

Signature treatment: Dr Soumya at the Nungambakkam branch says that Shirodhara (pouring oil over the third eye or forehead) is the most popular treatment here. Apart from being extremely soothing and relaxing, it can help with sinusitis, graying of hair etc. Abhyangam with pichu (where cotton pads soaked in medicated warm oil are placed on affected body parts) is also popular.

Specialty: Udvartanam, a dry powder massage for weight reduction and skin treatment. Treatments can go up to Rs 1,200 (for Shirodhara).


Cholayil Sanjeevanam
Offering holistic health services that rejuvenate, the treatment at the four branches in the city is based on the tenets of Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Yoga. Most of the clients here are between 25 and 60 years, and the ‘spa’ has regular visitors like director Priyadarshan and TV actor Venu Aravind. The wellness address problems like arthritis, joint pain, obesity, hair-fall, and skin and muscular problems.

Signature: Pizhichil, involves pouring 3-4 litres of oil on a person for 45 minutes non-stop. Therapeutic and rejuvenating. Priced at Rs 1,200.

Speciality: Sheeradhara/ Thakradhara at Rs 1,700 per day involves letting milk or medicated butter milk drip continuously on the entire body. This is said to be rejuvenating and cool the system. Check out: Summer packages including traditional water treatments are coming up to address insomnia and hypertension in particular.


In and around
* Prakriti in Anna Nagar and RA Puram is usually fully booked on weekends for their Ayurvedic massages. Abhyangam begins at Rs 550. Ph: 26215695
* Osmosys Amrutanjan’s Pain Relief and Wellness Spa provides acupressure therapy for migraine, tension, headache and stress. Ph:
* The Courtyard by Marriott Spa has the usual suspects but the most tried is the Jet-lag massage – a gentle massage, usually combining jasmine and Himalayan oil for over an hour. Rs 1500 + taxes. There are also interesting body scrubs with coconut or jasmine. * At Studio Profile in Alwarpet, a detox seaweed wrap, a cold firming gel wrap for those with cellulite (lifts and tightens) and a destressing reflexo-thermal body mask (using marine-based products) are quite popular. Rs 1200 onwards. Ph: 24662487