Ecolicious spa holidays for you

Heading out this festive season? Pamper yourself silly and give back to the planet, all at the same time, by choosing an eco-friendly destination spa where practitioners work to indulge both you and the environment. Chandana Banerjee brings you a top list.

The Dune Eco Village Resort and Spa at Pondicherry
http://www.thedunehotel.com/

Situated in the lovely coastal town of Pondicherry, the Dune is an interesting destination for those looking to dip into the healing arts and revel in their spiritual journey. Spread over 35 acres, this eco-friendly spa resort situated right on the beach boasts of 30 villas and 20 rooms. It offers Artists in Residence programme, water-based healing programmes such as Aqua Zen Aichi, Magic Chromatherapy, Aqua Reflexo, Water Shiatsu and other interesting aqua therapies, a spa that combines beauty with healing techniques, and an Ayurveda centre headed by specialists in the field. While you’re here, you’ll not only be pampered, indulged and healed, you’ll also be nourished with organic, home-grown produce from their very own organic farm.

Vythiri Resort at Wayanad
http://www.vythiriresort.com/

If you love nature, especially deep, dark forests, then the Vythiri Resort in Wayanad is for you. Exquisite, elegant and eco-friendly, this spa resort pampers all your senses. You can actually live a life of leisure here at Vythiri “uncovering the simple joys” - treks in the tropical forest, walks by the waterfall, guided trips to the village nearby, long and luxurious sessions in the Ayurveda boutique and other rejuvenation therapies at the spa.

Speaking about rejuvenation therapies, you can opt for interesting packages that combine scrubs and massage, inspired by aromatherapy and Ayurveda techniques. There’s Marma Body, a mind and spirit massage, Serenity Full Body Massage with aromatherapy oils, a relaxing Padabhyanga Foot and Leg massage and several others to choose from. If therapy is what you’re looking for, try any of the Ayurveda packages that promise to relieve pain and rejuvenate senses.

Savista in Jaipur
http://www.savista.com/eco-friendly-resort.html

An eco-resort, this one offers spiritual and spa facilities and also a sustainable and responsible lifestyle. While you’re here, you can nurture your body with not only the usual spa treatments like sauna, steam and Jacuzzi baths, but also a wide range of traditional massage treatments, including Abhyanga, Shirodhara and Panchakarma massages. In addition, you can practice yoga in the tranquil lawns, take up fitness activities and relax.

You can also practice natural living and detox your system. Here at Savista, most of the produce used in cooking is grown organically, spices are freshly ground, butter is home-churned, oil cold-pressed, and meat, poultry and eggs are obtained from the surrounding farms. This eco-sensitive travel destination believes in conserving energy, living organically and investing in the local community - simple but important principles that you can take away with you, along with great memories and your relaxed and rejuvenated self.

Ananda at Tehri Garhwal
http://www.anandaspa.com/

Once the home of the Maharaja of this region, Ananda in Tehri-Garhwal is now “a world class destination spa”. If you’re looking for unique ways to soothe your senses and frazzled nerves, and at the same time, get away from the maddening crowds, Ananda is your destination. The spa is spread over an area of 24,000 square feet and offers 79 body as well as beauty treatments, which have been drawn from traditional Indian techniques and the Western spa approach. At Ananda, you can get a tailor-made spa experience, created for your specific needs and expectations. From cleansing, detoxification and de-stressing to weight loss, anti-ageing and relaxation, the team of experts at the spa resort will make sure you have a ‘spalicious’ holiday.

Sparsa at Kanyakumari and Thiruvannamalai
http://www.sparsaresorts.com/about_us.html

You have a choice of destinations, if Sparsa is where you want to be. You can plonk yourself either in the beach town of Kanyakumari or the sacred city of Thiruvannamalai. Created with eco friendly material and equipped with the finest of facilities, Sparsa won’t let you down, if ‘eco’ is what you have in mind. Chill out, enjoy languorous days and treat yourself to eco-conscious spa treatments at the Sparsa resorts.