First things first. All you Scrooges out there, who fervidly count the paisas in your pocket, turn to another page. This is strictly for those who don’t mind dealing out the dough for the feel-good factor. Yup, we’re talking about the ‘spatizens’ ? the ladies who lunch and the big cats who brunch. Listen up then! Almost all of the city’s top-notch wellness centres are chalking out new summer menus that offer the latest detox treatments and stress-busters. What’s the downer? Most of these are members-only outfits. So you’ll have to cough up annual fees or at the very least, check into the hotel in question to check out its spa. But at the end of the day, when you feel like a million bucks, what’s a couple of more thousands! So if you’re in the market for some time-out, read on to find the best deals and pleasure packages available.

Hyatt Regency

The Hyatt’s Club Prana is toeing the traditional line this summer. Guests can try the Abhyangam-Pizhichil package, which offers a full body massage with herbal oils followed by another indulgent session with the masseuse, using medicated herbal oils to relieve weakness and arthritis. The cost of this twin treat: Rs 3,200 (plus taxes).

Then there’s yet another southern special ? the Udvarthanam-Shirodhara package for Rs 2,800 (plus taxes). First up is a medicated herbal powder massage, which helps to melt away subcutaneous fat after which, Shirodhara, a stream of warm medicated herbal oil is drizzled on the forehead.

Other double deals at Club Prana to consider are a haircut with a hair spa treatment for dry scalp at Rs 800, and the Aroma Purifying Facial with a head massage thrown in, for Rs 2,240. Annual membership fees are Rs 60,000 and Rs 50,000 for men and women respectively (couples are Rs 75,000). To book call:2335 1234.

ITC Sonar Bangla

At the ITC Sonar Bangla’s fancy-shmancy Sonar Spa, instant perk-ups come packaged in truly indulgent forms. Take for instance the decadent wine bath. Yup, just guzzling the stuff isn’t the only high you get from it! This one-of-a-kind soak in Chianti leads to fresher and younger skin, fewer wrinkles and less cellulite.

Another very popular plunge in the tub, dubbed Cleopatra’s Elixir, has you soaking up the goodness of pure milk and rose petals. This is a great way to up your glow factor and soothe dry, sensitive or irritated skin conditions. A massage with exotic oils is the perfect sign-off. Both these baths come with weighty price tags that range between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000.

But if you prefer your own bathtub, you could try the Dr Spiller’s Spa facial, which is said to nourish, hydrate and prevent premature aging. Prices start at Rs 3,500.

Now while you need to be a spa member (annual fees are Rs 1.2 lakh), you can avail of the Welcomebreak summer package, which offers you a shot at the hotel and its spa for just Rs 9,999 (plus taxes; a basic room at Sonar Bangla cost Rs 8,500). The deal covers two adults and two kids and is only on weekends. You get a whopper of a breakfast on the house daily, a 20 per cent discount at the hotel’s restaurants and a ticket to the spa. Perfect for a weekend away from nagging in-laws! To book, call 2345 4545.

Taj Bengal

It’s all about inner healing at The Taj Health Club this season with yoga and reflexology being new on the spa menu. Helmed by expert Pushpen Ganguly, the idea is to use these sciences as a medium of therapy. Sessions range between Rs 300 and Rs 1,200 depending upon whether 30-45 minutes or one hour.

The Health Club is also floating a special package ? brides to be, take note ? where for Rs 6,000, one gets a no-holds-barred body scrub, a hand and foot spa using Dead Sea salts, a whitening facial and a full waxing job. Pretty good, when you consider that just a body scrub here usually costs at least Rs 2,500.

Saving the best for last, the Health Club is throwing its doors open to one and all; no membership hassles here. To book, call: 2223 3939.

The Park

What’s new at The Spa at The Park? The tension tamer massage for one. This treatment utilises various massage techniques to treat specific sports-related aches and pains. Priced at Rs 2,000, this is not a full body massage, but targets those knotty areas.

And if you’re in mood for some double action, try out the Abhayangam Tandem Massage. Costing a neat Rs 3,000, this exclusive Ayurvedic treatment is performed on one guest by two therapists. The Spa is only for members and room guests. For reservations, call 2249 9000.

The Oberoi Grand

At the Grand Dame on Chowringhee, guests can avail of a day spa package at the Banyan Tree-managed pamper parlour. That means for Rs 6,000 per head (Rs 8,500 for two), one gets to shack up in a deluxe room for the day, a 20 per cent discount on food, complimentary use of steam, sauna, gym and swimming pool and a relaxing one-hour long Oberoi massage. A great way to score extra points with the missus. For reservations, call 2249 2323.

Solace

The latest introduction at this day spa in Sunny Park is a range of organic skincare essentials from Hungary called Eminence. Fans include the lusty Madonna and the busty Pamela Anderson, and the facial treatments at Solace that use these magic potions are being snapped up all right. Like the ‘Stone Crop’ treatment for instance, which is ideal for pigmented or tanned skin. It is recommended once in 20 days and is priced at Rs 1,800 (for the entire nine-step ritual). But a special summer offer, valid only till April 15, makes this treatment available for only Rs 1,500.

Also, for the ladies who move around in packs, Solace offers Spa Group Lunches at Rs 500 and Rs 650 per head. This includes a welcome drink, lunch and a spa treatment. The options to choose are hand or foot reflexology, or an upper back massage. Just about spa fiend can check into Solace ? no membership is required. To book, call: 2461 5466.

My favourite holiday

Peter Punj,
industrialist

My favourite holiday has to be on the island of Maui in Hawaii. I was there a couple of years back. It has the most beautiful beaches and the best season to be there is the whaling season ? between March and April. Also, it is very easy to drive around Maui because there is only one road that goes around the island. I remember the Grand Wailea Resort and Spa there, which is one of the best spas I have ever been to. And the Terme Hydrotherapy (a water therapy) is comparable to nothing else in the world.

The gastronomic experience comprises mostly seafood. I tried out mahi mahi, which is the dolphin. And the sushi here is very good because 80 per cent of the tourism comprises the Japanese tourists. But your choice is not limited there what with a number of multi-cuisine restaurants in the area. There is plenty of shopping to be done if you wish to as well. The Wailea area houses all the brands you can think of. But yes it is all high-end.

The best part about a holiday in Maui is that you can spend all the days there in swimsuits. No suits, no ties ? it is an experience in luxury relaxation. The only problem is getting to Hawaii. You have to travel almost half the world to get there. But still, I intend to fly down there this summer.

Route map

Holidays in the hills were never like this. How about throwing in a bit of horse-riding, trekking through exciting mountain trails, river rafting, cycling down picturesque pathways and (surprise surprise) even losing yourself in spa therapies. At Wildflower Hall in the Himalayas, you can throw in all of the above into a single holiday. The Oberoi Group’s luxury resort in Mashobra — a 45-minute drive from Shimla — has just launched its Wildflower Hall Himalayan Adventure Package. Valid right through June 30, the four-night package comes for Rs 59,000 for two and offers an interesting mix of add-ons. Make that a deluxe room, breakfasts, river rafting on the Sutlej, a mountain
biking trip, a trek accompanied by a naturalist and even a picnic in the woods.

And to soothe aching muscles, the spa therapy is on the house per person. The resort couldn’t be more restful, surrounded as it is by around 23 acres of pine and cedar woods. For more call toll-free on 1 600 11 2030.