“The minute I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.
Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere.
They’re in each other all along.”
― Jalaluddin Rumi

February is a beautiful time of year for all visitors and residents of Delhi. The evenings are absolutely gorgeous and you need to wrap a shawl around you but its not bitterly cold. This month marks the beginning of spring time which is synonymous with flowers blooming at every corner and, lest we forget, a day devoted to love. Valentine’s Day, isn’t something I usually subscribe to because I don’t believe that love, needs a day in the year to be celebrated or rekindled. However, it is extremely crucial to carve out time from domestic responsibilities, looming deadlines at work to spend quality time with your partner and to share something together. The spa at the Imperial organises couples treatments often, perfect for partners that lead hectic lives and don’t get enough quality time.

I booked myself an appointment on the 7th of February and changed into my robe. Tara, head of Spa operations at the hotel greeted me and talked me through the treatment. I spoke to Mimi, an ebullient young girl and told her that I needed a little extra help with my neck, shoulder and back because of long hours on the desk.

The spa is beautifully curated and gets a ton of natural light. The changing rooms are large, spacious and they have designated areas for hydrotherapy and relaxation. To get the most of your experience, the hotel requests you to come in a few minutes prior to your appointment time so that you can change, have a cup of tea and allow yourself some time in these surroundings to feel more ‘zen’. You are requested to leave your mobile phones in the locker to allow yourself and the other guests to relax in these surroundings. I was thrilled to learn that we didn’t have wifi connectivity in the spa premises because it forced a lot of people and me to be away from our mobile devices and make the most of our time there.

The Imperial Spa launched a decadent ritual for couples this year called the ‘Cupid’s Indulgence’. The treatment takes place in the stunning Moghul Suite- fit for royalty. With plenty of space to unwind before and after the treatment. The ritual starts with 30 minutes in the steam, sauna and jacuzzi followed by a hot stone massage with essential oils for 75 minutes and the treatment is culminated with a luxurious rose-petal bath with Mahadeva oil (known as an aphrodisiac). The hot stones are extremely therapeutic in nature and perfect at alleviating stress and soreness from the body. The divine relaxation couch is perfectly appointed in the room for you to lounge around in and nibble on fruit, nuts, homemade granola and some herbal tea.

The ‘Moghul Suite’ is absolutely breathtaking. The area has a built in spa and sauna, a gorgeous tub for rest and relaxation and a relaxation lounge to hang out in after you are done with your treatment. I took my time in the steam and sauna to open my pores and relax my body before the massage. I lay down on the massage bed and Mimi, began working away at my pressure points, taking extra care of my neck and shoulder area. I love the essential oils that the hotel uses particularly because they are natural and free from any chemicals, endocrine disruptors and parabens. However, some people can be sensitive to essential oils so do remember to do a patch test beforehand to avoid any redness or inflammation later. Also, I highly recommend that you fill in all your concerns in the form upon check in to apprise the therapist and the spa of your medical history and problem area/areas, if any.

Verdict: I experienced this treatment alone and I highly recommend that you opt for the ‘Cupid’s Indulgence’ with your partner because happiness is best when shared. I walked out feeling more relaxed, less anxious and with a noticeable improvement in the muscle soreness.

If you are looking to spend some quality time with your #bae and unwind together then this is it. Book yourself a staycation at the hotel and allow yourself 3 hours to unwind and enjoy this treatment. The Moghul Suite at the Imperial Spa is bound to leave you feeling spoilt rotten. Spend some time post your treatment and don’t forget to order a hot ginger tea and some refreshments after. The bath with essential oils and rose petals was the perfect end to the a luxurious treatment and I can’t recommend it enough. This promotion is only on for a few more days so please call ahead of time to book your slot and don’t miss out on this opportunity. Special thanks to Tara, Aparupa and Ruchi for this incredibly indulgent experience and to Mimi, my massage therapist who was absolutely fabulous. Simran Kalra who helped me with my hair and make up and Aryaman Dixit for being fantastic behind the lens.

About The Imperial Spa
Nestled amid the serene surroundings that have earned The Imperial New Delhi the title of the most luxurious hotel in India, the 16000 sq feet Imperial Spa immediately evokes a feeling of harmony. Intricate Moroccan architecture interweaves the influences of Moghul and Indian motifs, embedded beautifully in different spaces. The reception is surrounded by nine treatment rooms, a perfect abode to indulge in the signature therapies, administered by hand-picked therapists who inspire you with the ultimate in health, beauty and refining treatments like Balinese, Thai and Sports remedial massage, plus bespoke Savassana Detoxifying wrap, dedicated treatments for men, luxurious rituals for couples at the Moghul Suite and our signature massage – Imperial Balance and Imperial Depth massages are conducted with our signature SUFI organic oils. Traditional Ayurvedic therapies, in-house Ayurvedic doctor’s consultation and spa cuisine plus the premium Spanish skin care brand Natura Bisse, are all offered in an holistic environment embedded in breathtaking architecture.

Quick Notes:
The Imperial
Janpath Lane, Connaught Place,
New Delhi 110001 ‎
India
Visit us at: http://www.theimperialindia.com
Spa Reception +91 11 41116210 & 41116211
Salon Reception +91 11 41116323 & 41116324
Health & Racquet Club +91 11 41116212
Email:theimperialspa@theimperialindia.com
https://www.facebook.com/ImperialDelhi
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/imperialdelhi/

Allow 2.5 hours
Rs. 15,000 plus taxes
Valid from 10th to 26th February 2017

Hair and Make up- Simran Kalra-https://www.instagram.com/makeupbysimran/?hl=en

Photo Credits- Imperial Spa – https://www.instagram.com/imperialdelhi/?hl=en
– Aryaman Dixit- https://www.instagram.com/aryamandixit/?hl=en
Behance portfolio link- https://www.behance.net/AryamanDixit