8 Enticing Luxury Spas in Mumbai

The opulent Quan Spa won Asia Spa's "New Spa of the Year" Award in 2006, and was one of Conde Nast Traveler's Hot Spas for 2007. This is a place where you can truly indulge yourself. The spa has four different types of treatments on offer -- rejuvenating, detoxifying, enhancing, and Indian style massages. Phone for an appointment.

• Address: JW Marriott Hotel, Juhu Tara Road, Juhu Beach.
  Ph: (91 22)6693-3610.
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
• Cost: $40-$70 for body polish, baths, or massages. $90-$120 for facial therapy and body wraps. $120-$220 for Ayurvedic rituals.
• What's Good: The hotel offers spa and accommodation packages from $400-460, which include a variety of spa massages. The spa also has an exclusive room for couples.

Tahaa Spa is a tiny three room establishment that offers a range of treatments including manicures, pedicures, and massages. Don't let the small size of Tahaa Spa put you off, it's tastefully decorated inside, comes highly recommended, and has some of the best therapists in Mumbai. The emphasis at Tahaa is on technique, aimed at addressing problem areas. Make sure you book in advance.

• Address: 69-A Manisha Bldg, Napean Sea Road, Mumbai, 400006. Ph: (91 22)2368-1001.
• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Cost: Treatments are priced from around $20, up to $65 for a 75 minute massage. Cheaper Express treatments are also offered.
• What's Good: Therapeutic Deep Tissue massage. Personaliszed aromatherapy massage.

Small but soothing, and with impressive attention to detail, The Palms Spa is a new entrant to the market. Its Colaba location is very convenient for worn out tourists, who feel in need of some pampering and rejuvenation. The menu features several classics including herbal detox massages, classic Thai massage, Balinese massage, and deep tissue sports massages, as well as innovative treatments and therapies. Masseuses are from Thailand. Top quality brands imported from Thailand, France and the UK are used.

• Address: Ground Floor, Dhanraj Mahal, Apollo Bunder, Opposite The Yacht Club (near gateway of India), Mumbai. Ph: (91 22)6634-9898/9922.
• Opening Hours: 9 a.m. to 10.30 p.m. daily.
• Cost: Prices start at 1,000 rupees ($20) for a 30 minute reflexology foot massage. 60 minute body massages are 3,000 rupees ($60).
• What's Good: The Jet Lag package, which is a combination of body scrub, full body, and foot massage for 5,000 rupees ($100). Personally though, I like a good deep tissue massage.

With its deep red and gold interiors, and images of the Buddha, stepping into Aura Thai Spa is like stepping into a whole new world. The spa focuses on providing authentic Thai body therapies including massages, reflexology, and facials in a serene environment. All masseuses are Thai nationals, who have been trained and certified by the Thai Ministry of Health and Education. Prices at this spa are very reasonable, and with branches across Mumbai, you won't have to travel far to find one.

• Address: Bandra, Versova, Chembur, Colaba, Lokhandwala, Powai (the largest branch), and Ghatkopar. See the website for more details.
• Opening Hours: Morning until evening.
• Cost: Thai massages start at 900 rupees ($18) for 30 minutes. Aromatherapy massages start at 1,900 rupees ($40) for 60 minutes. Combination packages are also offered. A 60 minute Thai and 60 minute aromatherapy massage costs 3,200 rupees ($65). If you really feel like pampering yourself, add a 60 minute foot reflexology massage to both of those for a total of 4,400 rupees ($90).
• What's Good: The traditional Thai massages (a rigorous type of dry massage) are a specialty.

The spa at the new Four Seasons Hotel has 8 treatment rooms (including one couples suite and a VIP suite), each of which is named after a yogic posture, and a Chi Studio for yoga and meditation. Aromatherapy and traditional ayurvedic massages are provided, along with a comprehensive menu of yoga. Conveniently, the spa is open for use by the public as well as hotel guests.

• Address: 114 Dr. E. Moses Road, Worli. Ph: (91 22)2481-8005.
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
• Cost: 60 minute massages from $80, body polishes from $80, Ayurveda from $90, plus tax.
• What's Good: The three hour treatment packages, for around $200, which combine a range of treatments for meditation, rejuvenation, or detox.

Located within tranquil surroundings of The Club Mumbai, Antara Spa is a luxury day spa that's open to the general public. It provides an appealing array of reasonably priced massages, body polishes, facials, body wraps, baths, and spa packages.

• Address: The Club Mumbai, 197 D.N. Nagar, Link Road, Andheri West, Mumbai Ph: (91 22)5693-9999.
• Opening Hours: Weekdays: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Weekends: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Cost: Treatments start from $15 for a 30 minute head and shoulder massage or foot reflexology massage. A 60 minute Antara Signature Massage costs $45, plus tax. Day packages start from $70, plus tax.
• What's Good: The Antara Signature Massage, combining Swedish and aromatherapy techniques. The day packages also represent good value.

Myrah, with its warm Mediterranean inspired decorations, means "fragrance" in Greek. The personalized service and attention to detail make this spa a great alternative to the large hotel spas. The innovative treatments from diverse cultures include massage therapies, body polishes and wraps. Suites with private plunge pool for couples are available. The spa regularly hosts acclaimed healing practitioners as well.

• Address: 11 Palm Spring Society (near Shoppers' Stop), JVPG Scheme, Juhu.
  Ph: (91 22)2625-3968.
• Opening Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends.
• Cost: $45 onwards. $80 for the 60 minute Asian Blend massage.
• What's Good: The Asian Blend massage, special pregnancy packages, and sports massages.

Rudra Spa is both a day spa and a beauty salon that promises "soulitude with senses". It features 22 luxurious spa suites, an open air courtyard, natural wood interiors, and ornate furniture. Meditative chants, incense, and a statue of Lord Shiva add to the serenity. This spa gets points for the extensive range of treatments on offer, including Tibetan, Hawaiian, and Ayurvedic massages.

• Address: Kemps Boulevard, Kwality House, Kemps Corner, Mumbai.
  Ph: (91 22)2387-2363/9688.
• Opening Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cost: Treatments range from $40 up to $360 for complete packages.
• What's Good: The Beautiful Day Package, with six hours of body treatment, facial, manicure, pedicure, hair cut, hair spa, and gourmet lunch.