New Indian Retreat: Vana, Malsi Estate

  • The Vana, Malsi Estate serves seasonal cuisine in its two restaurants.

    The Vana, Malsi Estate serves seasonal cuisine in its two restaurants.

  • The multiday retreats at Vana, Malsi Estate can include Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy.The multiday retreats at Vana, Malsi Estate can include Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy.

    The multiday retreats at Vana, Malsi Estate can include Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy.The multiday retreats at Vana, Malsi Estate can include Ayurveda, yoga, and naturopathy.

  • Spanish design firm Esteva i Esteva created the earth-toned color scheme for the resort.

    Spanish design firm Esteva i Esteva created the earth-toned color scheme for the resort.

Click image to view full size

When it opens in January, India’s most anticipated wellness retreat of recent years will be nothing like an ashram, save for perhaps its awe-inspiring backdrop: the foothills of Garhwal Himalayas. Set on an eight-hectare estate in Dehradun and surrounded by mango and lychee orchards, Vana, Malsi Estate (91-11/4060-0000) will house guests in bright, earth-toned rooms and villas crafted by Mallorca-based design firm Esteva i Esteva Arquitectura, and serve seasonal organic cuisine in its two restaurants. But make no mistake: well-being is the key focus here, with multiday retreats (the minimum stay is three nights) ranging across Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, and Tibetan healing, with the latter involving kun ye medicinal massages and dhugs, an age-old treatment using herbal compresses. –David Tse

This article originally appeared in the December 2013/January 2014 print issue of DestinAsian magazine (“Higher Calling”)

Share this Article

Related Posts

Four Seasons Sets Its Sights on Taiwan

An ultra-luxe retreat will soon rise just across the avenue from Taipei’s landmark supertall skysc...

The Ritz-Carlton Teams Up with Diptyque

One of Marriott’s top-tier brands has chosen the Paris-based company as its exclusive bath amenity...

Hyatt Debuts Two Hotels in North India

The group now has an outpost in the state of Uttarakhand, along with Delhi’s first Hyatt Centric.

Mandarin Oriental to Debut Second Beach Resort in Vietnam

There will be just 72 suites and villas on site, alongside a cliff-top spa and three restaurants and...

Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern Confirms September Debut

A revamp of a lakefront grande dame hotel in one of Switzerland’s most alluring cities is nearing ...

Waldorf Astoria Plans Outpost in Sydney

Set to open in early 2025, the hotel will occupy a 28-story tower right on Circular Quay.