ESPA – Southern Recreation

 

During my visit to Chennai last year, I remember thinking how humid it was there. Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, though beautiful, it also gives the city a perpetual stickiness. But then, Chennai is a force to reckon with in India’s economy today. Car manufacturers are lining up to open factories there, giving Chennai the nomenclature of ‘Detroit of India’. Luxury brands are opening stores upon stores. Investment-friendly policies, good infrastructure and proximity to a large port in Chennai are driving industrial and business growth in the city. Couple it with history and beautiful temple architecture, and you have a city that presents you with the best of both worlds.

 

Therefore, no can ignore Chennai. And when you are here, The Leela Palace Chennai makes it easy to bear the weather! Opened recently, The Leela Palace Chennai has won rave reviews from happy travelers and admiration from critics. And adding to their excellent services is the world renowned ESPA.

 

Matching the grand proportions of the hotel, ESPA has been designed beautifully, and under the more-then-usual scrutiny of Mrs Madhu Nair, Director, Design and Operations, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts. Taking the services of Jeffrey Wilkes of DesignWilkes, Mrs Nair has constructed a 16,000 sq ft spa, set against the azure blue seas of the Bay of Bengal and lush manicured gardens. 

 

All 12 spa treatment rooms are designed exquisitely with plush beds, private lifestyle showers, and a curated music menu for personal selection. The Private Spa Suite is easily the most in-demand room which includes a living area with a glass sliding door that opens up to its own terrace overlooking lush gardens, intertwining luxury and nature effortlessly. Sleep pods, relaxation areas, and tea lounges are designed with pure fabrics in neutral shades and sumptuous textures, encouraging one to spend the entire day at the spa. 

 

Adding uniqueness to their signature design are hand-picked collectible art pieces by artists Siddharth Dhanvant Shanghvi, Alex Davies, and Chameli Ramachandran. Lotus motifs and gleaming linen drapes complement the lavish look of Turkish marble, natural Travertine stone, crystal glass, upholstered walls, and dark walnut timbers.

 

What makes ESPA in Chennai highly desirable, specially in a city with such a clime, is their Thermal Suites. Based on the ancient spa wisdom of Senus Per Aquam or healing through water, the expansive Suites, separate for men and women, feature deep vitality pools with lounge beds and body jets, shimmering glass mosaic steam rooms, state-of-the art circular oak-wood saunas, stimulating rain showers and luxurious relaxation areas. The spa recommends undergoing these hydrotherapies before the actual treatment to bring the body to perfect synergy and equilibrium.

 

Being administered by highly skilled ESPA therapists, each treatment uses luxurious products from ESPA to give a wonderful experience to the guest. These products are renowned for their botanical extracts and marine actives. Personalised therapies are offered with a comprehensive treatment menu that fuses the latest scientific research in European wellness with ancient Eastern therapies.  

 

Tricia Bannister, Group Spa Manager, said, “Keeping in mind both our members and day spa goers as well as international clientele, we designed a complete menu of services focusing on bringing visible results naturally. Signature treatments include the Balinese massage with warm aromatherapy oils and hot volcanic stones for relaxation, the Abhyanga massage with individually selected essential oils to balance mind and body, the Royal Leela Facial which uses a special marma-points massage and warm herb-filled poultices to tone and firm the skin, and the Rose Princess Facial which uses cooling rose quartz crystals to improve the micro circulation and leave skin smooth and beautiful.”

 

Though completely enchanted with the concept of Rose Princess Facial, their Detox Day package (for two hours), took my attention too. Including a Detoxifying Salt and Oil body scrub, and an Aromatherapy massage, ESPA has thrown in a Detoxifying Smoothie too to complete the process! Men need not fret as the menu includes a Purifying Facial and a 60-minute Deep Muscle Massage for them. 

 

Personal trainers and private yoga sessions are also readily available. So is their state-of-the-art gym with Technogym equipment. And the most important advantage of this spa? It is open to hotel guests and day spa goers!

 

I wish ESPA had opened last year…

 

Coordinates: The Leela Palace Chennai, Adyar Seaface, M.R.C Nagar, Chennai, India

Treatments can be scheduled between 8 am – 9 pm. 

For reservations or information, please call +91 44 30958190/8191 or email spa.chennai@theleela.com