There are escapes, and then there are destinations that feel like they’ve been carved out of time itself. ITC Grand Bharat belongs firmly in the latter. Set amid the ancient folds of the Aravallis, this sprawling 1214056 sq. m retreat, often sought after for lavish weddings and spa-cations, is a celebration of stillness wrapped in the quiet opulence only ITC Hotels could achieve.
I arrived on a warm afternoon, the car ride from Delhi to Gurgaon leaving me a little hungry and mildly travel-worn. Any fatigue, however, dissolved the moment the property revealed itself — acres of manicured lawns, stately architecture, and an arrival experience steeped in understated grandeur. I was greeted with a warm welcome (a showering of rose petals) and led to my suite (which had a lovely terrace), where a beautiful cake and thoughtfully arranged welcome amenities awaited. Plush, private, and elegantly detailed, the suite set the tone for what would soon become an indulgence in the art of slowing down. I soon freshened up and headed out to the spa, which unarmed me, in the best way.
Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa is a destination within a destination. Sprawled across 1,951 sq. m and serene in intention, its vast hallways lead to hidden chambers of healing. At its heart lies a design language inspired by the pomegranate, a fruit symbolic of regeneration and prosperity. The motif glimmers through chandeliers, ceiling panels and walls; even the welcome drink is a jewel-toned pomegranate blush. It’s the kind of detail you don’t simply see — you feel, like walking into a sacred rhythm of beauty and wellness.
The spa’s philosophy draws deeply from India’s spiritual and medicinal legacies: Ayurveda, Yoga, and ancient healing traditions seamlessly woven with international therapy techniques. The offerings are abundant: hydrotherapy, steam, sauna, a vitality pool, Hammam rituals, yoga services, and an impressive twelve treatment rooms. It is, in every sense, an oasis of tranquillity, and I found myself in the abode of Zen.
My experience began with a brief consultation, after which I was offered a choice of three aromatic massage oils. I selected the Eucalyptus and Black Pepper blend — a decision that would set the tone for the hour ahead. The therapist warmed the oil between her palms and invited me to inhale deeply. One breath and something shifted. The chaos of travel, the noise of deadlines, the thousand small thoughts that had trailed me here, they all seemed to fall away with that first, grounding whiff.
The massage itself was a masterpiece of flow and intention. Long, soothing strokes melted tension from my shoulders and spine, kneading fatigue out of muscles I hadn’t realised were tight. It wasn’t simply a treatment; it was a choreography of pressure, rhythm, temperature, and even silence arranged with precision. I drifted into a state somewhere between wakefulness and dream, lucid yet untethered, the kind of peace the body remembers long after.
Before stepping into the therapy room, I had taken a brief sauna followed by a cold shower — a ritual I highly recommend, as it seemed to open both body and mind to the treatment’s full benefit. When the massage concluded, the therapist gently wiped my feet with a warm towel, grounding me back into the moment with care. I lingered briefly in the spa café over a delicate cup of tea, letting the calm settle deeper before returning to my suite to freshen up and grab a quiet lunch. By evening, I realised something profound: it wasn’t just my muscles that felt lighter, it was my mind. The tension I carried — the kind we all carry, had quietly uncoiled. I had come here for a massage; I left with something far more valuable: clarity.
The day lazily but surely came to an end as I headed out to dinner, a mindful affair at the iconic Royal Afghan with their signature Daal Bukhara, Chicken Kebabs, Pudina Parantha and Shahi Kulfi. Honestly, one can never get enough of that and in my opinion, the best way to end a long, relaxing day.
Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa is more than an indulgence. It’s an orchestration of design, touch, scent and sound, a dialogue between tradition and modernity, a space where the body is nurtured, the mind silenced, and the spirit quietly reminded of its own depth. As I packed up for the day, I felt that rare ache of bereavement — a sign of a place that has done more than host you; it has renewed you. I would return in a heartbeat; not just for the grandeur but for that exquisite moment when the world fell away, and all that remained was stillness.
Images: ITC Grand Bharat
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