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Ancient Wisdom: The best luxury resorts in the world for Ayurvedic wellness retreats
By Judy Cogan | 30 December 2024 | Lifestyle, Travel
As the King embraces the power of Ayurvedic treatment, we round up some of the world’s best luxury resorts offering new takes on these life-changing traditional wellness practices
En route home from their recent royal tour of Australia and Samoa, the King and Queen made a surprising detour to India. With a well-documented interest in alternative medicine, Charles III, who revealed his cancer diagnosis in February 2024, checked into the Soukya international holistic health centre for a personal three-day stay. The luxury wellness resort near Bangalore offers a wide range of Ayurvedic treatments and promises rest, rejuvenation and rebalance — and luxury fit, quite literally, for royalty.
“Ayurveda is an ancient holistic system that comes from a body of knowledge called the Veda, meaning truth, while ‘Ayur’ means life — so it is the truth and the knowledge of life and it covers diet, routine, exercise and therapies,” says Jillian Lavender, cofounder of the London Meditation Centre and a leading wellness expert. “The royals recognise there is great value in tapping into this wisdom that has influenced health and medicine for thousands of years and gives us balance, resilience and prevents disease.
“India is the home of Ayurveda and different centres offer various treatments and programmes around the world,” she says, pointing to short spa-style treatments like Abhyanga (a massage technique that involves applying warm oil to the body from head to toe) and Shirodhara (the blissful practice of pouring a warm liquid over the forehead in a steady stream), or weeks-long programmes such as Panchakarma — fivefold detoxification treatment involving massage, herbal therapy and other procedures—- that offer more “profound” rejuvenation.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. But in this rapidly changing, hectic world having access to this ancient wisdom is really valuable for our ability to stay well, strong and happy.
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SOUKYA | BANGALORE, INDIA
This royal-approved holistic health centre offers traditional Ayurvedic treatments within a serene retreat environment, including a 30-acre organic farm and abundant natural beauty. It’s a place you can deeply focus on healing and self-care while embarking on an integrative programme blending Ayurveda with naturopathy, yoga and homoeopathy.
For those new to Ayurveda, it’s important to understand the experience here can be much more intense than from a typical spa stay. Treatment programmes are customised after an initial evaluation and might include massages, herbal therapies, diet tweaks and detoxification. It’s natural to feel physical or emotional reactions as your body adjusts.
soukya.com
MEKOSHA | KERALA, INDIA
A modern resort in Kerala, largely known as the home of Ayurveda, Mekosha has 11 luxury spa suites overlooking the river Attingal Aaru, with an airy yoga studio, outdoor pool and plenty of lush greenery to breathe in as you heal.
The retreat’s focus is on traditional Indian sciences and treatments, overseen by chief physician Dr Anil Kumar, are personalised to suit needs from joint pain to fertility issues and stress. You’ll eat Ayurvedic meals carefully prepared by a specialist chef using local spices, herbs and vegetables to rebalance your digestive system. Take a cooking class and you can bring home new techniques once you’ve been transformed from the inside out.
mekosha.com
ENGEL AYURPURA | ITALY
The first all-round Ayurveda hotel in the Dolomites with treatments run by head Ayurveda physician Dr Parth Sudhir Mahajan, who has carefully selected a team trained in India in Ayurveda principles and practices. Every treatment, herb and technique is guided by ancient texts and perfectly aligned with the centuries-old philosophy. You may not be in India, but when it comes to Ayurveda centres this is the real deal.
The mountains add a serene and meditative backdrop to your Ayurvedic detoxification and rejuvenation, which only deepens the experience and the freedom to let go. It’s best for people who want optimum privacy and unfussy luxury for undisturbed relaxation. The attention to detail here is also impressive and runs across everything from the purity of the oils and handpicked herbs to the authentic techniques.
ayurpura.hotel-engel.com
PARKSCHLÖSSCHEN | GERMANY
Europe’s only five-star Ayurveda resort has specialised in Panchakarma since 1993 and offers tailor-made treatment plans (including diet, exercise and meditation). Each guest begins their stay with an in-depth consultation, including a pulse reading, conducted by experienced Ayurveda practitioners. The vibe is nurturing, supportive and stripped-back luxury; yet this is not a luxury spa but a place for an intensive detoxifying cleanse. Unlike other resorts the sole focus is on providing traditional, authentic Ayurveda. For example, Shirodhara treatments can induce a meditative state, relieving mental tension and improving sleep quality. The cuisine is all-out five-star, combining gourmet with Ayurvedic health.
ayurveda-parkschloesschen.de
ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS | RISHIKESH, INDIA
Tucked in the foothills of the Himalayas, close to the source of the river Ganges, the ancient medicinal forests of Rishikesh – the birthplace of yoga and meditation – alone would set this resort apart. If you are looking for deep rejuvenation and a complete disconnect from daily life in a place steeped in history and spiritual verve this is the spot.
Ananda provides an immersive introduction to the ancient healing system of Ayurveda by creating a nurturing space that gently eases you into more intensive practices. The 21-day Panchakarma – a complete bio-purification process – is closely monitored and guided by Ayurvedic physicians to ensure treatments are comfortable and smooth. You will also be primed to bring nurturing practical tools home for continued rejuvenation.