Leela Palace Hotel in New Delhi Debuts New Spa

The Leela Palace Kempinski New Delhi – the newest luxury hotel to debut in the Indian capital – welcomed the country's second ESPA on November 29. The world's leading spa company opened its first spa in India this summer at The Leela Palace Kempinski in Udaipur.

Designed by Jeffrey Wilkes, the ESPA at The Leela Delhi is a soothing haven of natural wood, hand-carved indigenous stone and Indian tussah silk. Indian rosewood lines the walls, the floors are laid with white Pokarna granite and ceilings are carved white Makarana marble and hand-embellished with silver leaf. The palette of purple and chartreuse has its origins in India's ancient art of hearing, Ayurveda. Amethyst and sulphur are at opposite ends of the color wheel – yet create energy when placed together – and both have healing properties. Amethyst is believed to have the power to focus energy while sulphur removes negative energies.

The 6,500-square-foot spa is on two-levels with a café, a fitness center with Technogym equipment, separate relaxation areas for men and women, changing rooms and sauna and steam rooms on the first floor. Seven treatment rooms, a spa suite for couples, a relaxation room for women and the “finishing studio” are found on the second floor.

Treatments fuse the latest scientific advances in European wellness with therapies from Ayurveda, and all the therapists are highly trained. The Kiziswedana Ritual is a synchronized massage with two therapists working in unison. ESPA aromatherapy oils blended with Ayurvedic herbal medicinal oils are personalized for each guest. Later warm poultices filled with herbs and spices like ginger, camphor and liquorice are applied. The Royal Leela Facial uses marma-point massage and warm herb-filled poultices to tone and firm the skin. During Shirodhara, a therapist runs a fine stream of warm oil on the forehead and scalp creating a profound sense of relaxation. A selection of treatments has been created especially for men like the 90-minute Stressbuster, ideal for tired road warriors, which features a skin brushing, exfoliation, body massage with hot stones followed by a scalp massage and gentle stretching.

With its grand opening set for late January 2011, The Leela Palace New Delhi will feature four restaurants, a roof-top infinity pool, a whiskey and wine bar, a tea lounge and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting facilities. Guests can dine on regional Indian specialties at Jamavar or opt for Japanese at Megu, its first outpost in India. Designed like a glass house, Qube will serve international cuisine, and at its “show kitchen,” chefs will cook wok-fried specialties, pizza and steak. The Tea Lounge will serve continental breakfast at 5:30 AM for early departures and a proper English afternoon tea. At the roof-top Italian restaurant, guests can dine at another “show kitchen,” while chefs prepare antipasto, handmade pasta and pizza. The Library Bar will have an extensive collection of whiskeys and wines and an innovative Martini Menu.

Inspired by the city's elegant turn-of-the-century architecture by Edwin Lutyens, John Gerondelis of Smallwood, Reynolds and Stewart has created a luxurious contemporary hotel – the first luxury property built from the ground up in 15 years – with references from the royal palace architecture of north India. With the largest guest rooms in the Indian capital, The Leela Palace's Royal Club Rooms measure a generous 520 square feet. Nineteen sumptuous suites range in size from 810 to 1,530 square feet, and three have private pools. At 4,333 square feet, the Maharaja Suite is fit for royalty – and secure enough for a head of state – with its own dining room, spa and Jacuzzi. Located in the heart of the prestigious diplomatic enclave, The Leela is near the Presidential Palace, the Prime Minister's office, a number of embassies, the central business district and many historical monuments. Prices for treatments start at about $43 (1,950 Indian rupees). For further information, please visit www.theleela.com.