Top 5 spa and wellness retreats in South India

Travel and tourism are seeing a slow and steady revival In a world that is finally ready to think about a life post-Covid. The patterns and trends, however, have shifted and travellers are now seeking out destinations with a quotient of wellness. Not just from a medical point of view, but from a holistic one too, wellness travel that focuses on nutrition, rest and rejuvenation is the need of the hour. 

Moreover, with international travel being restricted, travellers are looking for domestic destinations that give them the much-needed break from being cooped up at home working round the clock! Driveable holidays are preferred over ones requiring a flight. 

With this in mind, we thought it timely to present spa and wellness destinations in and around Kerala, Karnataka and Maharashtra that one can consider for that next much deserved break.  

SwaSwara Wellness Retreat, Gokarna

SwaSwara means the ‘inner voice’. Located on Om beach in Gokarna and inspired by the first sound of creation – Om, the resort is the perfect place to focus on the ‘voice of the inner self’. SwaSwara’s goal is to offer a life path that would lead to the ‘reconstruction’ of the mind and body and bring about balance and harmony from within. The resort spread over 26 acres offers a private and a meditation deck on the cliffs overlooking the beach.

At SwaSwara the therapies are designed to address the physical, emotional and spiritual aspect of the individual’s well-being. SwaSwara offers remedies that heal, relax and rekindle the mind, body and soul. The therapies offered here include Ayurveda, yoga and meditation as well as natural therapies like walks on nature trails and organic farming which is seen as a part of karma yoga. SwaSwara offers Art Yoga – as art is also considered to be a path to healing and self-discovery. They offer a wide range of art activities like tribal warli painting, watercolour painting, origami and pottery.

Average Tariff: Rs. 16500/night + taxes

TripAdvisor rating - 4.5/5

Soukya, Bangalore

Soukya means wellness and has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Soukhyam’. Located in the heart of Bangalore, Soukya is more than a traditional wellness retreat. It is also a residential medical institute that focuses on wellness and medical treatments that address the early stages of illnesses. Therapies and treatments offered at Soukya are a combination of traditional and natural methods like Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy. Soukya also offers its guests complimentary therapies like acupressure, acupuncture, colonic irrigation, dietetics, counselling, hydrotherapy and meditation. Diet plays an important role at Soukya. Doctors, nutritionists and the culinary team at Soukya together prepare a dietary path for each guest based on their ayurvedic body-type and lifestyle. Soukya serves sattvic food that is healthy, organic, ovo-vegetarian and low in fat, salt and spice. 

Average Tariff: Rs. 19900/night + taxes

TripAdvisor rating - 4.3/5

Atmantan Wellness Resort, Pune

The word Atmantan is a conjunction of the three words ‘atma’ (soul), ‘mana’ (mind) and ‘tann’ (body). This wellness resort believes in the philosophy that deep and long-lasting changes can only be made when these three components that make up our existence are healed together. Nestled on a unique crystal hill in the Sahayadris, overlooking the tranquil and pristine waters of the Mulshi Lake, Atmantan is spread over 42 acres of lush green valley, and is the ultimate destination for those seeking to transform and find themselves. 

Atmantan is a brand in itself when it comes to wellness. The resort offers a plethora of wellness therapies, all carefully selected to suit the individuals’ needs and requirements. The therapies and remedies offered at Atmantan include a wide range of traditional and modern therapies. The resort also offers specialised treatments such as the Hammam, Vichy showers, open-colonics and the soothing Balneotherapy treatment. 

Average Tariff: INR. 23,000/night + taxes

TripAdvisor rating - 4.5/5

Carnoustie Ayurveda and Wellness Resort, Alleppey

Carnoustie is an award-winning resort located just 12 km away from Alleppey in Kerala, on the shores of the Arabian Sea. This resort has been featured amongst 5 Top Wellness Retreats for Ultimate Renewal in 2017 by Forbes Magazine. This resort is the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and rewind oneself. Spread over 25 acres, Carnoustie has a lush green tropical landscape that gives you the best of both, lush green nature and the sea. The wellness therapies offered at Carnoustie are by Aryavaidyasala, which is a centuries-old charitable institution that practices and offers Ayurvedic medicine, treatment and therapies. The wellness centre by Aryavaidyasala at Carnoustie offers signature treatments like Hatha yoga, Kundalini yoga, Marma, Mantra, Pranic Healing, Naturopathy and a wellness diet. All treatments are carried out with a focus on strengthening and rejuvenating the body from the core. 

Carnoustie also specialises in Kalari treatment. Kalari or Kalaripayattu is a martial art form that originated in Kerala. Kalari treatment or training is a part of Marma Chikitsa which activates all the 107 energy points in the body which helps in improving blood circulation in the body and the healthy functioning of different body parts. 

Average Tariff: Rs. 22000/night + taxes

TripAdvisor rating - 4.5/5

Mekosha, Trivandrum

Mekosha is India’s first Ayurvedic inspired luxury boutique retreat, in Trivandrum, Kerala. Mekosha offers customised wellness regimes for its guests that include the ancient healing methods of Ayurveda such as Panchakarma and Marma, Yoga, Pranayama and Meditation. Mekosha offers spa suites for accommodation which means that guests do not have to go to a separate wellness centre at the retreat for their therapies, they can avail the same from the comfort of in their own guest rooms. All guest rooms have an in-built spa therapy area providing the guests highest standards of privacy.

Average Tariff: Rs. 6000/night + taxes

TripAdvisor - 4.5/5

So, pack your bags and get ready to get pampered at one of these wellness resorts. Relax, rewind and heal yourself. Pick up new food and nutrition ideas and come back refreshed to your daily lives.