As city life and work pressure takes its toll on health, most of us feel the need to spend a few days away from the madness of noise and congestion. Sensing this requirement, many brands in the hospitality sector are now coming up with properties that are located away from the busy city landscapes and closer to nature. One such property very close to Pune and Mumbai is the Shillim Retreat near Lonavala.
Just two hours’ drive from Pune and about three hours away from Mumbai, Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat and Spa offers amazing hospitality in the newly emerging ‘wellness’ space.
The aim, as Hilton says, is to curate a goal oriented package personalised, consulted, crafted and guided through by the team of wellness experts, comprising Ayurveda and Naturopathy doctors, skilled and qualified therapists, yogic gurus, visiting wellness masters, nutritionists, wellness cuisine chefs, naturalists and fitness masters.
A broad overview
Accommodation in the private villa in the spa zone with a private deck and outdoor shower. Three healthy meals that reflect your daily dietary needs and preferences. Private consultation with their team of wellness professionals. Spa therapies based on programme selected and length of stay. Daily yoga and meditation sessions. Choice of wellness activities such as trekking, nature walks, pottery and access to hydrothermal pavilion, yoga pavilion, main spa pool and relaxation centre.
Ayurvedic treatments
Panchakarma or Pentacleansing comprises techniques of detoxification toxins such as Vamana, Virechana, Nasya, Anuvasana Vasti and Kashaya Vasti from the body. It is one of the oldest healing techniques of Ayurveda dating back to about 5,000 years. The therapies are designed for a wholesome cleansing, rejuvenation and healing experience. The series of these five therapies help remove deep rooted stress and illness-causing toxins from the body while balancing the doshas (energies that govern all biological functions).
Cooking school
The Shillim Institute invites its guests to team up with chefs at the cooking school to experience the pleasure of cooking. Explore the basics by learning primary skills, hone your expertise by mastering a specific process, or simply learn a few tricks of the culinary trade. The chefs at the retreat have enlisted a comprehensive menu, inclusive of various modules such as festive specialities, dietary specific, world cuisine, technical skills and more.
Overall the property offers a decent combination of rest, recreation and wellness offered by Hilton and works well for guests from Pune and Mumbai because of the proximity. Details are available at:
shillimretreatandspa.hilton.com
Activities
The Shillim Estate Retreat and Spa has many exciting activities that will help you relax and energise:
Health and Wellness — This provides an assessment of your diet, guides you through meditation and yoga practice and introduces you to forest therapy. Within their wellness offerings, they also have naturopathy and classes in Ayurveda, Vedanta and Tai Chi. They also have an organic farm.
Fitness and Activities — They organise groups for Pilates, aqua aerobics, swimming and dancing. You’ll find bicycles and space for creativity with pottery, painting and cooking. Quieter pursuits include bird watching, stargazing, trekking and forest walks.
Celebration — Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa specialises in ‘special’. Make your stay magical with wine encounters at Reserve or a seat at the chef’s table. More options include Green Table, Tea House, Valley Bar or a barbeque at MBB.
Spa — A visit to the retreat is only truly complete after a visit to Shillim Spa. Schedule an Ayurveda, skin, body or salon treatment.
Karla Caves — To make your visit more memorable, visit the awe-inspiring Karla Caves dating back to 220 BC. The rock-cut Buddhist temple and the temple of Goddess Ekvira are marvels of ancient engineering.
