I have a strange relationship with Powai. Allow me to explain. When I first moved to Mumbai, I thought of it as a mythical land far, far away. Soon, I found myself taking a BEST bus to this aforementioned land because a friend of mine wanted to get a tattoo from an artist who was based there. (I ended up getting a tattoo too, but that’s a story for another day.) Many years later, I made a very good friend, who lived in Powai (a self-sustaining place filled with high rise buildings and greenery). One morning after staying up all night and drinking way too much, he took me and another friend to The Renaissance for breakfast and a spectacular view of Powai Lake. Delicious food, with good company and a view. What could be better? And now, so many years later, I found myself driving up that same driveway to experience my other favourite thing, other than eating – a spa day!
The first time I visit a spa, I also go for the signature therapy, so in keeping with tradition, I opted for Indulge – Quan Signature Therapy. Not-so-secretly I also did it ‘coz 90 minutes is better than 60, wouldn’t you agree?
The experience
The massage started off with the usual foot ritual, but not before I was ushered into the changing rooms to get into my robe and stow away my valuables. I have to pause to say that the staff here was exceptionally polite, happy and not too pushy, which is like the perfect balance IMHO. But getting back to the foot ritual; a few thoughts always run through my head when these happen. At first, I feel like a princess, but also mildly uncomfortable about the fact that someone is washing my feet (maybe it’s a Catholic guilt thing) and finally, I settle into it and just focus on how soft the therapist hands usually are. Spoiler alert: Very.
I would advise you to mention to your therapist or in the form what areas you want to focus on. I knew that since I hold all my tension in my shoulders that would be an obvious choice. The therapist systematically worked through every part of my body, with the right amount of pressure so that it was soothing and not painful. The oil she used was not actually an oil per se, more like a moisturizing ointment that melted on contact with my skin and was made from Brazil nut oil and Vitamin E oil-quite magical.
Bonus
A bonus of the signature therapy is the use of hot stones to relieve tension in your muscles while soothing them at the same time. I obviously had my eyes closed, but what I can tell you is that it felt like a dream. The stones, over and above the moisturising balm gave me the feeling that the moisture was getting even more seeped into my skin. And I love that. I love when I can feel my skin drink in moisture and replenish itself.
What I wasn’t expecting, but came as a very welcome surprise was the fact that not only did my therapist give me a head massage, she even massaged my face. My face, you guys! It’s like the blood circulation started up again and I went from vampire to human in 30 seconds. No jokes.
Renaissance Mumbai Quan Spa
Renaissance Mumbai Quan Spa
Renaissance Mumbai Quan Spa
Renaissance Mumbai Quan Spa
Renaissance Mumbai Quan Spa
Renaissance Mumbai Quan Spa
Ayra Khan, Sara Khan
And if that massage doesn’t give you life, trust me when I say that the post-massage steam most def will. You will leave Quan with a renewed sense of purpose and a strange kinda wonderment over why you’ve been giving The Renaissance in Powai a skip for all your previous spa days out.