With the myriad pressures of the modern world, it’s no wonder that people are increasingly looking to switch off when they travel. From remote yoga retreats to digital detoxes, wellness-focused holidays are on the rise. And yet, you might be left wondering: what is all the fuss about? One of our India specialists, Frances, wanted to find out for herself, so she booked a five-night stay at Six Senses Vana in Dehradun, India. Read on to discover what she thought of it…
1. Check-in day
2. Food for thought
3. Wellness wake-up call
4. Doctor's orders
5. Treatments galore
6. My verdict
7. Key takeaways
Check-in day
I’ll begin by admitting I’ve never embarked on a wellness journey or stayed at a wellness-centred hotel. In all honesty, it’s never been a priority for me. So, what changed? I was curious enough to step outside of my comfort zone and give it a go. After five wonderful days of safari in Bandhavgarh National Park, my friend and I headed to Delhi to board a train to Dehradun. We were apprehensive upon arrival, but the friendly hotel representatives immediately put us at ease as we embarked on the short journey to Six Senses Vana. Following a smooth check-in process, we had ‘before’ photos taken and were whisked away to the hotel’s hub.
Food for thought
By early afternoon, we were hungry. But with health on our minds, we restrained ourselves from going overboard with the plentiful buffet and a la carte offerings (I regretted this later). The food choices were extensive, with something for everyone – the only thing absent was food labels. And, judging by the size of the puddings, portion control was (sadly) apparent. Observing the other guests dressed uniformly in white tops and trousers, I couldn’t help but think we were in an episode of Black Mirror…
Wellness wake-up call
Next were our doctor’s appointments. As my friend and I were split up, the nerves set in. I was weighed and measured, my pulse was read, and I answered several questions. The outcome? My stress levels were way too high, my cholesterol was marginal, and my sleep score was (very) bad. Even my posture failed to pass the test. Let the magic begin….
Image by Jerome Galland
Doctor’s orders
I was given a schedule with a list of suggested appointments including yoga, breath classes and – worst of all for a food lover like me – a diet plan. Maybe this was slight ignorance on my part, but I had assumed that wellness meant lots of yoga, spa and massages (gulp). I met my friend outside, and we only had to look at each other before we laughed hysterically: both of us had a lot to work on.
Over the next five days, I gave up caffeine, gluten, red meat, cheese, raw vegetables after lunch, and alcohol. I was given a structured drink plan full of creative concoctions, and I ate from a limited menu (some people can eat everything, but I was on a more extreme program). Although I missed caffeine and cheese, the hardest part was the lack of choice. For dinner, I was given clear vegetable soup or savoury porridge as a starter, followed by a main of fish or chicken with vegetables. While everything was delicious, I started to get a little bored of soup and sauteed fish by day three...
Treatments galore
Limited food options aside, the treatments on offer were incredible. Among other things, I tried watsu (a form of aquatic bodywork), acupuncture, reflexology, private yoga and stretching. On top of this, they offer a variety of group sessions as well as visits to the Earth Lab, where you can learn about the hotel’s impressive commitment to sustainability. The wellness element is very much down to you, so if you fancy having an afternoon relaxing by the pool, there’s nothing to stop you. You have control of your schedule, which is easily adaptable under the doctor’s guidance. For me, one of the best parts was lying on the lounge sofa wearing high-pressure boots (usually worn by athletes). They felt like magic.
Image by Jerome Galland
My verdict
Five days flew by, and I was a true convert by the final day. When choosing the final breakfast, I felt very conscious of my decisions. I left Six Senses Vana having well and truly been sold by the wellness concept. One of the highlights was the property’s environmental conscience, whether in the products they use or the lack of single-use plastics. The team loves working there, and their passion is clear – the number of repeat guests says it all. Given the option to return, I would go in a heartbeat. It was a shock to emerge back into the hustle and bustle of India, but I felt amazing. My mobility was fantastic, and I had some great intentions to bring what I had learned to my day-to-day life.
Some key takeaways
While I would love to say that I follow everything I learnt (spoiler: I don’t), I have some key takeaways. First, not having your phone for a while is no bad thing (Six Senses highly recommends a digital detox). Secondly, I’ve learnt to go about life a little more slowly; it’s important to allow yourself some decompression time. Regarding diet, having a little of what you like is definitely allowed, but moderation is key.
Overall, I would thoroughly recommend a wellness holiday. It’s an experience unlike anything else and is a great alternative to tacking on beach time at the end of a trip. Who knows what you’ll discover…
Header image by Andrea Artz/LAIF REA
