Top 5 spas for men

There is a growing demand from men for spas and for spa vacations, to detox and de-stress. Here is a round-up of the top five in the country

By Manisha Almadi Midha

Spas are no longer female bastions alone. According to Spa Finder, the demand from men has grown by 900% in the last 4 years. Men not only like to visit spas, to look good, but to reduce stress levels. Check out the ‘hottest’ spas for men.

The Spa, Ista Hotel, Hyderabad

Where: Road No 2, IT Park, Nanakramguda, Gachi Bowli

Why: The Spa has the most elaborate menu for men including Western, Oriental, Ayurvedic and other International treatments, in addition to a separate yoga and meditation pavilion, hydrotherapy and relaxation areas. Spread across 10,000 sq ft, this five star business hotel spa is managed by the same group that owns the renowned Ananda Spa in the Himalayas. Reason enough to visit. 

What’s Hot: ‘Rhythm and Touch’, a massage of the scalp, neck, shoulders and back, to relieve stress and aches; ‘Stone Massage’ to assist with circulation and alleviate sore muscles; ‘Stress Busting Reflexology’ to restore and maintain body’s natural equilibrium; ‘Programmer’s Back, Neck and Shoulder (seated) Massage’ to reduce stress and muscle tension; ‘Rock Facial’ to rejuvenate tired, stressed skin and ‘Detox Salt Scrub’ to enhance dull skin. Men’s treatments are not just masculine in pressure strokes, but also in name, for instance you have a ‘Rock Facial’ instead of a ‘Crystal Facial.’ Similarly, the products used have little or no perfume.
 
Duration: The therapies range from 25 min to 75 min

How much: Rs 1000 to Rs 2800 plus taxes 

Sereno Spa, Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa

Where: Arossim Beach, Cansaulim, South Goa

Why: If you are planning a beach holiday, visit Sereno Spa. Set amidst 36,000 sq ft area in the lush beachfront gardens of this five star property, the spa, although a little off main North Goa, offers you tranquility and luxury that you desire on a holiday. Known for its Ayurvedic treatments, the spa gives you the choice to be pampered in the outdoor therapy spaces or in the indoor suites.

What’s Hot: ‘Kalpa Moksha’ (head massage) to revitalise the scalp to prevent hair loss and premature greying, myofacial to improve muscle and nerve tone, and back and neck massage to promote a sense of wellbeing; ‘Bhuja Raksha’ (neck and shoulder care), to release excess tension from upper back, neck, shoulders and hands, to counter posture-related problems. The massage is highly recommended for men who work on the computer for long hours; ‘Kati Raksha’ (lower back care) to ease tension and aches; ‘Traditional Foot Massage’, famous as ‘Warrior’s Massage’, practiced by sports lovers, involves the use of the therapist’s feet to unknot muscle tension. You are advised to follow a course of sessions after consultation with the Ayurvedic physician of the spa.

Duration: 60 min to 90 min

How much: Rs 3000 to Rs 4000 plus taxes

The Spa, The Leela, Mumbai 

Where: Sahar

Why: Located away from the hustle-bustle of the city, close to the airport, ‘The Spa’ is for the global traveller. 70% of the clients at the spa include men. Set in 5000 sq ft area in lush green landscape with palm shaded relaxation areas, the spa combines European, Eastern and Ayurvedic philosophies for its therapies. The spa has a special menu for men, called ‘ESPA for Men’ in which natural ESPA skin care products are used.

What’s Hot: ‘Men’s Purifying Facial, Shoulder and Scalp Massage’—pollution, environmental stress, travel, business pressures or lack of sleep reflect in dull, lifeless skin. This facial purifies, balances, and hydrates the skin. Following an acupressure face massage and purifying mask and a deep shoulder massage, the scalp mud helps ease tight muscles and tension; ‘Executive Stress Tonic’—Hours hunched over a desk and thousands of miles spent on a plane lead to executive stress with tension in the lower back, shoulders, neck, hands and eyes. This massage on the back, neck and shoulders relieves tension, followed by an eye treatment that relieves eye strain, a hand and arm massage, and a scalp massage soothe and relieve headache.

Men also go in for exfoliation treatments like ‘Detoxifier’ to eliminate toxins and improve skin appearance; ‘Muscle Soother’ to reduce aches; ‘De-Stressor’ to restore equilibrium and peace of mind; ‘Harmoniser’ to restore balance and harmony; ‘Immune Booster’ to help combat effects of environmental pollution, air travel, crowded trains, and congested cities; and ‘Skin Hydrator’ to re-hydrate dry, sensitive or flaky skin, leaving it plump and soft. The spa makes use of warmed marine mud, marine algae or oshadi clay combined with essential oils for these therapies.

Duration: 60 min to 90 min

How Much: Rs 4250 to Rs 6000 plus taxes

Amatrra Spa, The Ashok Hotel, New Delhi

Where: 50-B, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri

Why: Amatrra combines the philosophies of Ayurveda and Astrology called Astroayurveda for its therapies and also offers Oriental massages. Customised treatments can be planned in consultation with the Ayurveda expert, Astro-Science expert and cosmetologist in this 45,000 sq ft spa. Amatrra signifies silence that occurs during meditation, between recurrent chants of Om, and it can be best experienced here, in the midst of the chaotic city.

What’s Hot: Oriental therapies like ‘Olympic: Sports Massage’ to revitalise and relax muscles fatigued by sports; ‘Stockholm: Classical Swedish Massage’, traditional European massage to soothe and relax the body and relieve stress; and ‘Island Exotica: Balinese Massage’, to relieve tension and improve circulation; Ayurvedic therapies like ‘Abhyanga’, body massage to enhance body suppleness, induce sleep and relax; ‘Shirodhara’ to relax; and other therapies to cure lifestyle ailments. Men also prefer exfoliation therapies.

Duration: 30 min to 90 min

How much: Rs 3200 to Rs 8500 plus taxes

Chandan Sparsh Spa, Bangalore

Where: 775, 100 Feet Road, Indra Nagar

Why: This day wellness spa and salon is quite popular with men, in Mumbai and Delhi too but what makes Bangalore score over these cities is the use of sandalwood (found in the South) in most of its therapies. This 8000 sq ft spa derives its name also from this natural skin care ingredient chandan (sandalwood).   

What’s Hot: ‘Deep Tissue Massage’ to relax muscles, this massage is recommended for corporate men, gym goers and sportsmen; ‘Balinese Massage’ combines acupressure, reflexology and aromatherapy to detoxify and relax the body; ‘Aroma De-Stress Massage’ to de-stress the body and soul; ‘Foot Reflexology’ to benefit internal organs; and ‘Scalp Massage’ to de-stress the mind. Men also go in for skin lighting, de-pigmentation and anti-ageing facials.

Duration: 45 min to 90 min

How much: Rs 525 for scalp massage to Rs 3500 plus taxes, for the treatments

Expert inputs: 
Colin Gary Hall, head of Spa Operations, Ananda in the Himalayas and Ista Hotels; Pramod Kumar, spa manager, Sereno Spa; Pallavi Bapat, spa manager,  The Leela; Dr Praveen Nair, centre head and ayurvedic physician, Amatrra Spa; and Manisha Sharma, marketing manager, Chandan Sparsh