Almost every big city in India invites detoxification centres close by. Mountains of stress deserve plateaus of de-stress, so to speak. Mumbai as a city has its fair share of lovely weekend spaces that offer more than just detoxification. One of them is Fazlani Nature’s Nest Wellness Centre and Spa, just three hours’ drive away from Mumbai, in Mawal Taluka, Maharashtra.
Nestled between Mumbai and Pune, the spa has a great appeal for a global clientele, constructed as it is with a complete understanding of the five elements of nature. A beautiful ambience gives it the vibe of a holiday resort mixed with a medspa. With an effective team of professionals in place, you are assured of a bouquet of experiences, both cultural and traditional. This mix helps people get exactly what they are there for.
Most such getaways offer menus that do not really take the global lifestyle into consideration. Here, organic is the keyword that underlies all operations. A master chef who has researched the science behind healthy eating crafts the wellness cuisine here, keeping seasonal produce in mind. Starting with being a completely ‘no alcohol’ and ‘no smoking’ zone, the enforced discipline endorses Fazlani’s core belief – that wellness is at the epicenter.
Farm-to-fork is the theory behind the gastronomy, ensuring that ingredients are fresh and organic. The in-house orchards provide fresh fruits, and the restaurant, Hive, caters to all dietary needs. One can also visit the centre’s Ahara Farm and handpick the salad selection to be served at the next meal. Yes, carrying a fancy basket and picking your own vegetables does give you a different kind of satisfaction, not to forget a taste of the leisurely way of being.
Once you have the food all worked out and understand that the holiday is going to be devoid of all devices to encourage more of the slow life, the spa facilities are quite welcome. Spread over 25,000 sq ft, and following Ayurveda and naturopathy ideologies, the Amarine Spa is the star attraction at the centre.
With 24 treatments on offer, you are sure to uplift your mind, body and soul. The wellness centre has exclusive treatment rooms for men and women, a fully equipped gymnasium for the athletic types, three outdoor swimming pools, and hydrotherapy facilities. One certainly does not have to worry about knowing the right thing to do, as there are well-qualified resident doctors, physiotherapists, nutritionists and fitness guides.
Clients come here for diverse reasons: some to de-stress and cleanse, or for deep relaxation, anti-ageing or weight loss. The result for everyone is mental and emotional wellbeing. Simply hanging around in the available spaces – like the pristine lake, the lush lawns – and partaking of the maintenance of the beautiful flora and fauna on the property, the birds and animals that live there such as peacocks, geese, ducks, even turkeys, all contribute to the natural way of life. This is nature in all its splendour, inviting and nourishing to say the least. An idyllic location to regain one’s composure and return to one’s busy urban life.
The accommodation is simple if you choose it, but you can also go for suites or villas donned with Italian furniture, fitted with a private jacuzzi and all the modern amenities, a spa-style bathroom, a personal butler and a counselling session with a lifestyle expert. Whatever you choose, you still wake up to the same birdsong and brilliant views from all angles.
Eat healthy, take early morning leisurely walks or bicycle around the property, follow the geese and the clouds, explore the orchards and the rose garden, pick your own salad, make amazing friends for life, ride a horse and indulge in some pottery. Yoga with a personal trainer at the amphitheatre overlooking the lake will be the high point of your day as the setting sun brings in calm and comfort at twilight.
The philanthropic Fazlani Group first set up a school on the premises for the less fortunate. The resort was built later to sustain the children’s education. What better way to help others than to give of yourself? Nature looks after its own.
Previously published in eShe
