An enjoyable part of working in a spa magazine is the frequent trips to resorts and spas. The most recent one was to Suryavilas Resort & Spa, Solan. Located in Himachal Pradesh, Solan is very near to Shimla. Though there is not much to explore in Solan, the beauty of the place is enough to make it a must-visit place. Stopping over on your way to Shimla is also a good idea.
As I got down on the Kalka station, the view of the mountains was exhilarating. Solan is a smooth one hour ride from the Kalka station. As we went up the winding roads, climbing higher and higher up the mountain peak, the feeling was totally awe-inspiring. It was surprising to see houses and small towns settled in the mountains. I could feel the fresh air on my face - a very important feature, since fresh air is very rare in metropolitan cities.
The resort extended a very warm welcome when we reached there. Apart from a sweet smile, we were served with ginger and lemon tea to freshen up ourselves.
The resort had many small cottages, with four rooms in one cottage. We were also led to a cottage and assigned a comfortable and cosy room. It was quite a spacious room, with a big plasma television and dvd player. The bathroom was also spacious and clean, with a very beautiful blue tub and all toiletries arranged appealingly. However, the best of the washroom was the big window which overlooked the mountains. Half the roof was covered with glass, letting in ample sunlight. It might sound funny, but a clean. hygienic and pretty bathroom is what appeals the most when you are outside the comfort of your home. The washroom here scores full points in that regard.
The room also had a small balcony with seating arrangement. It was a pleasure to get up in the morning and sip tea while breathing in the fresh air.
Their restaurant, Curries@3000, is also decorated tastefully. Though the restaurant has good food and ample choice, it would have been better if they could have included more items. The resort also has a theater, banquet facilities, swimming pool, gymnasium, and entertainment room.
Coming to my subject of the spa, I think that was one of the best features of the resort. The Thalgo Spa is managed one of the most renowned spa companies in the world. Completely using marine ingredients and products, Thalgo is an absolutely 'oceanic' brand. My spa therapist, Mamta, gave me a thorough consultation before giving me a spa treatment. After asking me detailed questions about my skin, lifestyle and eating habits, she told me to get their signature Algae mask. In a very sweet gesture, she even said, "I know the mask will smell like fish. But I know you are a Jain and I assure you that its completely vegetarian." The treatment was completely rejuvenating for the face. After cleaning my face and massaging it with various creams, she applied the hot algae mask on my face and covered it with foil. As my skin soaked in the goodness of algae (though it smelled foul), Mamta proceeded to massage my legs, exercise my shoulders and relax my body. After some time, she removed the foil and the mask and cleaned my face.
On the whole, it was an absolutely amazing experience. Everything was clean, natural and healthy, even including the bakery products which they serve! Gaytri Bajaj, the director of Suryavilas Resort and Spa takes keen interest and personally oversees the in-house bakery, which makes everything from normal bread to the most complex and delicious cakes!
The resort is good not only for the kind of facilities they provide, but also because of the hospitality which the staff extends. If in Solan, the resort is a very nice place to stay in and relax. Surrounded by natural beauty and clean environment, there is no better rejuvenation option. I, however, only wish that it was a little less expensive (rooms start from Rs 10,000 + taxes per night). But I am sure that shouldn't stop you from experiencing a nice tranquil holiday!
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