Ananda in the Himalayas

Set in the grounds of a Maharaja’s palace high above the Ganges, this award-winning Ayurvedic spa offers world-class relaxation and retreat

Ananda is the Sanskrit word for ‘bliss’ and this magnificent retreat certainly lives up to its name. Created from the palace and estate of the Maharajas of Tehri-Garhwal, it's set on a mountain ridge amongst the breathtaking Himalayan foothills. This part of India has a long tradition of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda, so being here is a feast for the soul and a delight for the senses. Unparalleled spa facilities (24 treatment rooms, more than 79 body and beauty treatments, yoga, hydrotherapy and heated pools) and awe-inspiring scenery (100 acres of virgin forest, with the Ganges valley below and snow-white peaks above) allow you to commune with nature whilst revelling in the lap of luxury.

You can sign up for a tailored programme of diet, exercise and therapies, or dip into daily yoga, meditation or Reiki classes in tandem with temple trips, rafting, hill-walking and lazy afternoons around the stunning pool. Either way, the superb service, excellent cuisine and attention to detail will leave you feeling serene and refreshed.

Highs

• The spacious rooms all have a view of the Ganges valley or the palace, and include some of the most luxurious villas in India
• The sumptuous cuisine is prepared using Ayurvedic principles; the chef also creates Indian, continental and oriental menus
• The mountain environment is extremely soothing - the fresh air is rejuvenating and no petrol or diesel engines are allowed inside the gates
• The spa has skilled practitioners and has twice been voted 'Best Destination Spa' by Conde Nast Traveller
• It's a serene haven with woods (no trees were uprooted to create the property), landscaped gardens and manicured lawns overlooking holy Rishikesh and the Ganges River below

Lows

• You don't stay in the palace itself, but in a modern block a short buggy ride away
• It's expensive by Indian standards (less so out of season), and the spa gets busy at peak periods, so book your treatments in advance
• It's larger than most i-escape properties
• It's a bit of a hike to get here: 4.5 hours by train from Delhi to Haridwar or an hour by plane to Dehradun, then a 1-hour drive
• With so much to do on site, it's easy to miss out on local culture (though rafting, hiking and temple trips are arranged)
• If you're coy about your body (or saying 'om' in public), or don't want to cut down on coffee and alcohol, this may not be the place for you