The quixotic city of Agra is not only adored for the Taj Mahal and its connotation of love but is also highly praised for its extravagant architecture and quaint natural beauty that surrounds it. The city has sustained its royal and lavish structural heritage through its historical tourist spots and structures. Many hotels and resorts have adapted their exterior and interior designs to these larger-than-life spaces to match the town’s grandeur. Even though the city retains its Mughal roots when it comes to its lavish food and architecture; over the years it has made quite a few changes to meet international standards for the thousands of tourists who visit it. Today, the city’s most booming spaces in some of the lavish city hotels or standalone properties are its wellness centers and spas. Spa Mantra takes you on a visual tour of a few relaxing spas within the city.
Kaya Kalp, ITC Mughal
Captured in Agra’s image, the ITC Mughal lifts the curtains on India’s largest spa, Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa. This captivating spa experience, spread across more than 99,000 square feet, offers guests traditional therapies based on ancient customs in regal surroundings. This is where Mughal opulence comes together with meaningful experiences for the soul.
This glorious oasis of serenity follows a Mughal tradition in its extensive use of greenery and water, both important elements in gardens laid out by the Mughal Dynasty. Many traditional influences of Mughal landscaping and architecture can be seen here – running water, fountains and outdoor rain water showers, courts full of greenery open to the skies and interiors embellished with stone latticework, mother of pearl, inlay and mirror work. Among the various aspects that leave your heart spellbound; the first Spa in India to have the Royal Mughal Hamam inspired by the traditional Turkish bath found in Agra fort and Fatehpur Sikri, is something you’d not want to miss.
Eight exquisitely designed treatment rooms include the Ayurveda Room, Thai room, Royal Mughal Hamam, Royal Mughal Retreat – the couple treatment room, and four signature treatment rooms. The spa offers traditional and modern therapies including Indian Ayurvedic therapies and Yoga and western therapies such as Swedish massage and Deep Tissue among others.
Contact: ITC Mughal, Fatehabad Road, Taj Ganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282001. Tel: 0562 402 1700
Tamaya Spa, Jaypee Palace Hotel and Convention Centre
Jaypee Palace Hotel and Convention Centre is known for its tribute to the finest in Mughal architecture and stands as a glorious structural blend of red sandstone and marble. Within this decadent building are offered luxurious salon, wellness and spa facilities with the launch of their Tamaya Spa.
Spread over 51,000 sq feet, the Tamaya spa concept comes from the family of Sansha Spas – the longest chain of spas in hotels and resorts in India. Dedicated to the finest natural therapies and cutting- edge techniques, Tamaya Spa consists of highly-trained therapists from around the world with every therapy boasting of a history, an origin and a reason. The spa strives to turn every therapy into an extraordinary one, using exquisite treatments and fundamental techniques that are the foundation of an exciting therapeutic imagination.
Among the plethora of relaxing services offered, the Vichy shower, and signature massages like blueberry cheese cake are its highlights. Adding to it is the beautiful swimming pool and a view of the hills that give you the prefect start of the day after a swim and a Yoga session. A high-tech gymnasium accommodates the world’s finest Techno Gym equipment to complete the setup.
Contact: Jaypee Palace Hotel and Convention Centre, Fatehabad Road, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282003, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282003.
Tel: 0562 233 0800
The Body Spa, Agra
Among the royal palaces and regal looking hotels is a cozy yet comforting abode for rejuvenation – The Body Spa. The spa brand is the brainchild of Jatin Walia, a Singaporean and NRI who has been in wellness biz for over a decade. After opening outlets in Delhi NCR, Greater Kailash 1, Gurgaon and Noida, Body Spa set up its first outlet outside Delhi NCR in Agra. This set the scene for neighbourhood spas as against spas in the five star hotels.
A time-honored and contemporary design together make an eclectic blend in the spas interiors. The spa is conceptualized as a neighbourhood spa offering relaxing massages and therapies to the locals and tourists alike. The spa philosophy is reflected in its authentic treatment and therapies. The Body Spa specializes in South East Asian therapies, which have a mix of Balinese and Javanese massages, Thai Dry massages and Foot Reflexology.
Contact: The Body Spa, 8 Fatehabad Road, Below Pizza Hut, Agra. Tel: 9759717171
Zivaya Spa, Radisson Blu
Similar to its name that denotes radiance, the spa has the ability to bring out one’s inner radiance through pampering services. Housed at the posh Radisson Blu, Agra, the 5000 sq. feet Zivaya Spa thrives on the concept of love and its pampering. Owner of Zivaya Spa brand, Dr. Megha Garg believed in bringing to India the South East Asian spa experience. The spa is meticulously designed with four spacious rooms attached with steam showers. The spas classy look comes from a blend of both Mughal and Asian influences in its architecture.
Zivaya at the Radisson Blu offers a tranquil retreat through its spa treatments/experiences to its leisure and business clients that visit the hotel. Zivaya presents its clients with the goodness of therapies and wellness practices from around the world that are learnt and mastered by its therapists. Its authentic Asian massages employ a combination of energetic and physical aspects. The unique signature treatment here is its luxurious Ayurveda treatment that is a fusion of modified steps tweaked from various massages. A sense of royal pampering comes through with its rose essential oils used for massages. Similar to its other branches the Zivaya at the Radisson Blu comprises spa consultant, trainers and therapists from South East Asia, Yoga experts, Physiotherapists, Ayurveda doctors and beauticians.
Contact: Radisson Blu Hotel Agra Taj East Gate Road, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India. Tel: +91-562-4055555
The Oberoi Spa, The Oberoi Amarvilas
Awaken the senses with stimulating beauty and body therapies in exquisitely appointed spa suites where the Taj Mahal shimmers as inspiration outside The Oberoi spa’s window. Let off the steam and get infused with a new vitality, and pay tribute to the grandeur of the Mughal era with a session of self-indulgence at the grand spa. The stunning spa provides ways to heal the mind and body and rejuvenate one’s spirit.
The spa is located at the lower lobby level of The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra. The magnificent spa includes four therapy rooms, three therapy suites, separate changing rooms for men and women, steam facilities, a well-equipped fitness centre and a salon. The four therapy rooms are located at the spa level. Each room includes a massage bed, steam and shower and an en suite washroom. One therapy room is furnished with two massage beds, making it ideal for couples.
The spa also hosts three therapy suites located on the fourth floor of the hotel offer magnificent views of the Taj Mahal. Each therapy suite is equipped with two massage beds, a freestanding bathtub, a steam & shower and a suite washroom. The therapy suites are ideal for a couple, who would like to share their experience, or for a holistic spa treatment, which includes a combination of a cleansing scrub, body wrap, head and body massage, culminating in a luxurious bath.
The Oberoi Spa at The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra offers an unmatched array of therapies, rituals and journeys designed to renew, refresh and replenish the soul. Its therapies are inspired by ancient Indian traditions of health and healing that have evolved for over 5000 years and incorporating international influences.
Contact: The Oberoi Amarvilas, Taj East Gate Rd, Telipara, Tajganj, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, 282001. Tel: 0562 223 1515
Tags: Agra, ITC Mughal, Jaypee Palace Hotel and Convention Centre, Kaya Kalp, Radisson Blu, Tamaya Spa, The Body Spa, The Oberoi Amarvilas, The Oberoi Spa, Zivaya Spa
