ESPA tent spa: Exclusive tent and haveli design model for spas to follow

About ESPA spa
ESPA spa at The Leela Palace Udaipur is envisioned by Madhu Nair, Director - Design and Operations, The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts. It is the country’s first luxury tented spa that offers the ‘Soul of India’ infused with the traditional vibrance of Rajasthan. The spa has total 23 therapists and other members.

Spread over almost 10,000 sq ft, the ESPA spa at The Leela Palace Udaipur is divided into two parts; The Lake Spa and the Haveli Spa. 

The Lake spa
As the name suggests, the tents in the Lake spa section offers a picturesque view of the Lake Pichola. It includes one Couples suite and two Royal Palace Spa suites with a private plunge pool. This section of the spa is suited for and preferred mostly by couples and those with time for a longer spa journey. The Lake spa exudes opulence the moment you enter its reception area, which is furnished with plush gold leather sofas, ornate chandeliers and an ESPA product stand at the centre of the room. After a private consultation designed to craft customized therapies, guests are led through winding garden paths to the tent of their choice. Each tent has a bespoke design with elements from traditional Rajasthani arts and crafts, guests can enjoy treatments here in complete luxury and privacy.

Spa facilities: The ESPA spa has 8 spa tents which includes 3 couple treatment rooms and 5 single rooms along with private and common plunge pools, aroma steam room, relaxation areas and finishing suite.

The Haveli spa
The spa offers luxurious treatments in an entirely different kind of setting. A historic building has been respectfully renovated to accommodate the spa. Walking over its checkered marble floors, looking at its latticed windows and archways, one indeed feels transported back to the royal era. The reception area is a long hall on the first floor of this heritage building which offers plenty of seating spaces for those who wish to enjoy lake views. This section of the spa has five single treatment tents, a common plunge pool and a common relaxation area. It also has an aroma Amethyst steam room and a finishing suite where hair and manicure-pedicure services are offered. A little ‘off’ the property, it is preferred for people seeking express rejuvenation and non-guest spapatrons.

Spa facilities: It has a separate male and female division of relaxation rooms that provides perfect tranquility to the guests. Post therapy, the one can also enjoy a healthy spa lunch on the roof terrace while admiring the spectacular views of the City Palace and the lake beyond.

Spa Architecture
The ESPA Spa is designed by the internationally acclaimedarchitect, Bill Bensley, renowned as the ‘King of exotic luxury resorts’.

Spa interior design
ESPA spa’s interiors were designed by Jeffrey Wilkes of LTW Design Works.

Spa décor
Each tent is dressed with beautiful crystal chandeliers, bespoke furniture and swathes of rich fabric which complements the perfect setting of a royal treatment.
    The primary materials used in the spa are the world-famous Makarana marble and timber wood. The materials have been laid keeping the end-use of the area in mind. The spa also reflects the celebrated local artisanal forms of Thekri and Tarkashi. Thekri involves the use of intricately chiseled mirrors on plaster, and Tarkashi, from Mainpuri in Uttar Pradesh, is fine inlay work of burnished brass or gold on wood. These artisanal art forms infuse furniture, walls and panels. Regal motifs of Rajasthan, mother of pearl artifacts, hand carved marble jalli's, silver artwork, adorn different spaces of the spa.

Spa colour scheme
Essentially the spa uses pale colors to maintain foremost a sense of peace and tranquility which is essential for holistic healing.  The pale colors are offset by vibrant tones of Rajasthan including fuschia, emerald and pink that are reflected in the smallest details.