Luxuriate your senses at CHI the Spa by Shangri-La

Luxuriate your senses at CHI the Spa by Shangri-La

CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel, Bangalore draws inspiration from the genesis of the Shangri-La legend, which represents a place of personal serenity, well-being, and enchantment. With comfort as a foundation of any guest experience, Shangri-La’s design takes into consideration functionality and the environmental elements while integrating Indian design motifs to flawlessly blend with Shangri-La’s Asian heritage.

Nestled on the wellness floor, the jewel for relaxation of Shangri-La ~ CHI, The Spa ~ features nine luxurious treatment suites in soft neutral tones, where nourishing treatments can be administered by skilled therapists to invigorate the body and soothe the senses. It includes a VIP Suite for two guests to share their spa experience alongside one another, and each suite is accompanied by its own private bath, shower, steam, relaxation lounge, and changing and vanity areas. CHI, The Spa presents a “spa within a spa” environment, where holistic treatments derived from time-honoured practices shared by many Asian cultures are observed.

In conventional Chinese philosophy, “chi” or “qi” is the universal life force that governs personal well-being and vitality. To maintain good health, it is believed that “chi” must flow freely within one’s body; therefore movement is a key element in releasing blockages. Body massages, hydrotherapy and mental relaxation, exercise, stretching, and meditation practices are combined to aid the body’s natural renewal and comprise the basis of CHI, The Spa’s philosophy.

CHI Signature Massages

Massage has been taught through generations, and this restorative approach to care remains a significant and viable means of restoring and preserving vitality. CHI Signature Massages have been designed to create a truly personalised spa experience. A harmony of ancient traditions, therapeutic disciplines, and Asian practices will together nurture, re-balance and renew the inner spirit. A sense of place is also given by the inclusion of a local element; “Sense of Place” treatments use natural products and authentic techniques that have lasting therapeutic benefits. In Bangalore, this comes via the use of locally sourced rose water and frankincense in traditional Asian treatments.

CHI Indonesian Treasures Massage

On arriving at the spa reception I was greeted by a feature wall with a 3D circular sculpture that appears both like a blooming flower and a flaming sun. The spa is warm, with timber walls and ceilings, and the carpet is a multidimensional element of the design, beautifully blending geometry and whimsy. The spa interiors feature curated Asian artifacts and distinctively designed ambient lighting that casts a relaxing glow on the overall space.

The spa also features a reception lounge as well as a relaxation lounge, where guests are served welcome tea during the pre-treatment consultation as well as after the massage session. I was graciously greeted by Spa Director, Jazzy Nepram, who led me to the Relaxation Lounge for a welcome drink. I was then requested to fill out an orientation form {pain areas and what to avoid}. Upon finishing my tea, I was escorted through a deliciously lush passage-way to my treatment suite. The suites are edgy, layered spaces with clean lines that immediately induce a sense of relaxation. Each suite is also totally independent and exclusive to the client. I had total privacy.

Spa Director, Dr. Jazzy Nepram

My therapist, Galih

More on this delicious “tea” later…

My therapist, Galih, welcomed me with a traditional Thai greeting and immediately made me feel at ease with her grace and warmth. She briefly went over what to expect with the treatment as well as my medical history. I was then presented with a robe and slippers to wear. Once I was wrapped in my soft chenille robe, Galih bathed my feet in rose water. Using exfoliates and aromatic oils, I was treated to a divine introduction to this Signature Spa treatment.

Post this, I was requested to sample the three signature element oils and choose which appealed to me the most;

• Balancing {scents of spring} ~ vetiver, bergamot, rose, lavender, cardamom, and chamomile
• Rejuvenating ~ tulsi, cedarwood, thyme, tea tree, bergamot and lemongrass
• Peace of Mind {spice and floral} ~ mogra, lime, lavender, marjoram, geranium, neroli, patchouli, and rose

Galih used my selection of oil {Peace of Mind ~ go figure!} to tell me my personality traits; it was then time for my 90-minute Indonesian Treasures Massage. CHI’s Signature Indonesian Treasures Massage with energising ginger oil is a gentle-to-medium-pressure therapeutic massage bringing together components of world-famous massages to ease tension. Lymphatic drainage techniques combined with the therapeutic attributes of essential oils are designed to fortify the body’s vital energy and renew the spirit.

Other luxurious treatments include a royal treatment from the Java Kingdom ~ the CHI Javanese Lulur, a traditional skin exfoliation massage using turmeric and lemongrass with a base of finely ground rice resulting in deliciously smooth skin ~ a true indulgence! With a dedicated Ayurveda room, the spa also offers a host of Ayurvedic treatments, including the Udhwartana, Shirodhara, and Pinda Sweda.

As one who prefers my feet to be included in a massage, the Indonesian Treasures Massage was certainly the right choice. It commenced with a relaxing session of reflexology before the rest of the treatment got underway. A combination of long strokes, kneading, and circular strokes to improve circulation complemented with steamed Indonesian herbal poultices {dating back 500 years} to soothe the muscles was the perfect antidote to the reflexology. Towards the end, a deep, somewhat probing, abdominal massage took me by surprise; but the 90-minute treatment ended on a relaxing note with a gentle scalp massage, leaving me calm, restored, and renewed.

* Galih holds an Indonesia Certificate ~ Spa Competency for Indonesian Spa treatment & qualifications. She was born and raised on the East coast of Java Island; given her Javanese roots, massages were part and parcel of her traditions. She learned her first Javanese massage from her grandmother when she was 4 years old. In 2009, she started her career in Jakarta as a massage therapist and is now considered one of the most talented therapists of the Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta. She will be available at Shangri-La Hotel, Bangalore until January 2017.

To conclude: Shangri-La Hotel, Bangalore prides itself on being an oasis where you can rewind and relax. Chi, The Spa takes that commitment and dedication to a whole new level. Mimicking the overall hospitable nature of our culture, Chi’s team has created a quiet sanctuary, presenting you with an experience that isn’t likely to be matched anytime soon. Visit Chi, The Spa for the attentive service, outstanding therapist, and overall professionalism and quality care. Special acknowledgment goes to Galih, my therapist.

“You will achieve calmness and profundity, ripeness, and wisdom, and the clear enchantment of memory. And, most precious of all, you will have Time …”
~ Lost Horizon by James Hilton

Urban Diaries’ tips:

• Arrive twenty minutes early to enjoy a cup of fresh herbal tea at the spa’s relaxation lounge before heading for your treatment.
• CHI, the Spa’s deepest therapeutic massage is the Thai massage, which uses hard pressure {and no oil}.
• If you have two hours to spare, consider the Healing Stone treatment ~ it’s the spa’s most popular treatment.
• Try to book in advance as CHI gets booked up quickly.

This tea is specially blended and prepared for CHI, The Spa, and consists of organically grown blueberries, raisins, pomegranate, raspberries, strawberries, and other herbs. It is rich in Vitamin C and is power-packed with antioxidants.

Address: No 56-6B Palace Road, Bengaluru, 560052, India
Tel: (91 80) 4512 6100

Disclaimer: My treatment was hosted by Shangri-La, Bangalore; however the opinions expressed in this post remain my own.