India has all the time attracted world travellers in search of wellness, knowledge, and marvel. Now it additionally attracts these in search of sustainable luxurious throughout their Indian odyssey. Few world manufacturers embody this higher than Six Senses, who seamlessly handle to mix indulgence with accountability at every one among their resorts.
They launched refillable ceramic dispensers for lavatory facilities and changed single use plastic water bottles with glass bottles means earlier than it turned ‘modern’ to take action. Actually, they’ve solely ever used refillable ceramic dispensers since they launched in 1995 and their resorts have been freed from single use plastic bottles since 2003. However the Six Senses dedication to sustainable practices signifies that their sustainability journey is way from over as they proceed to be “thoughtful custodians of the locations the place they reside”. Waste and water administration methods have been developed to scale back influence, while a number of initiatives have been launched to guard the encompassing habitat and assist native communities. Expansive on web site gardens have allowed them to provide vegetables and fruit to be served of their eating places while the superb ‘Eat with Six Senses’ philosophy locations meals on the centre of wellbeing with artistic and modern menus that nourish and delight while respecting the planet. They’re at present working in the direction of 40% of all menus being plant based mostly as a part of this planet pleasant initiative. Sustainable luxurious journey with Six Senses is an ever creating dedication that almost all actually leads from the entrance and continues to set requirements for the trade.
Their two distinctive resorts in India show precisely how these commitments work in observe. Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan is a transformed 14th century fort that oozes historical historical past whereas providing each trendy consolation. Six Senses Vana in Dehradun is a contemporary sanctuary the place silence, timber and trendy design invite company to decelerate and recharge. Travellers typically go by way of Jaipur on their strategy to Barwara, and Rishikesh when heading for Vana. Each cities are locations in their very own proper, Jaipur with its color, chaos and bustling streets, Rishikesh with its yoga, meditation and river rituals. Each are really distinctive locations that present the right gateways to those really distinctive resorts.
Our expertise at Six Senses Fort Barwara
We had waited years to step by way of the majestic gates of Six Senses Fort Barwara. First there was the last decade lengthy restoration and improvement of the fort itself, then our personal journey delays across the pandemic. By the point we arrived our anticipation was excessive however the first glimpse of the monumental partitions rising from the panorama didn’t disappoint. Nor did the nice and cozy welcome, full with a blessing and smiles from the hospitable crew. The transformation from historical fort to luxurious resort had clearly been delivered with nice care. Authentic stonework and centuries outdated domes stand proudly beside trendy areas that by some means mix respectfully. Courtyards open onto quiet corners while swimming pools shimmer beneath the arches.
At night time the fort glows with lanterns casting shadows onto the traditional partitions. Service all through was skilled but private, the type that makes you are feeling each cared for when required, but left alone to benefit from the peace at different instances. It was simple to neglect time right here with our days passing means too rapidly between pool time, spa remedies, culinary explorations and easily wandering by way of the fort in amazement. We had anticipated equal measures of historical past and luxurious, which is strictly what we skilled throughout our keep at Six Senses Fort Barwara.
Eat with Six Senses at Fort Barwara
Meals performs a starring function in all of our vegan journey adventures and that was most actually the case at Six Senses Fort Barwara. Our days began with lengthy and lazy breakfasts at Cortile with the whole lot from smoothie bowls and coconut chia puddings, to masala dosa and idli that reminded us we have been in India. We loved baked greens that have been wealthy, smoky, and comforting and pani puri with their crispy shells stuffed on the desk with spiced water and chutneys that have been scrumptious.
Every little thing was ready with care with fruits, greens and herbs sourced responsibly both from the on web site backyard or native farmers the place potential. We beloved that our meals was not solely about style but additionally about lowering influence. Plant based mostly dishes have been actually not aspect notes, they have been entrance and centre, to be celebrated. Consuming extra crops is not only wholesome for us, it will also be wholesome for the planet and this is likely one of the causes that Six Senses have dedicated to increasing their veggie, vegan and plant based mostly choices as a part of their Eat with Six Senses philosophy.
Farah Condor, director of Eat with Six Senses talked about “menus taking a cleaner and easier strategy to preparation, specializing in high quality, steadiness and contemporary entire meals made out of scratch” and “endeavouring to develop as a lot produce as we are able to throughout the partitions of our inns and resorts, be that by way of Six Senses’ natural gardens, mushroom huts or utilizing hydroponics.” We by no means as soon as felt restricted by consuming vegan meals throughout our keep, the truth is fairly the other with our ultimate night time off menu vegan thali platter proving precisely that. It was fairly merely one of many best Indian thali we’ve ever had the pleasure to eat, thanks Chef Charul!
Sustainable initiatives at Six Senses Fort Barwara
Sustainability shouldn’t be a field ticking train at Six Sense Fort Barwara. It’s a part of every day life on the resort and likewise of their efforts to assist the encompassing villages and communities. While water is purified and bottled on web site for company, water purification methods have additionally been put in in a neighborhood authorities hospital and faculty. While natural fruit and greens are grown on web site, they’re additionally grown in partnerships with native farmers earlier than being bought to be used on the resort. This demonstrates how accountable and sustainable tourism can have a number of advantages for not solely company, however the neighbours and native communities alike.
At Fort Barwara we visited Earth Lab, an area the place company be taught, experiment, and discuss how we are able to collectively cut back our influence on the planet. Right here we noticed pure repellents and deodorants being made, with out chemical compounds, protected for individuals and protected for the atmosphere. It was palms on, making it a enjoyable and informative exercise for adults and youngsters alike. When requested about Earth Lab, Jeff Smith, Vice President of Sustainability at Six Senses, informed us that “discovering enjoyable methods for company to work together with their sustainability and group efforts is a vital initiative at every of our areas”. For us, as soon as once more seeing these commitments in motion furthered our respect for the model because it felt like luxurious with a conscience and with out compromise.
Every little thing you must plan your journey in 2025
Our expertise at Six Senses Vana
If Six Senses Fort Barwara was about experiencing historical past Six Senses Vana was about having fun with peaceable contemplation. From the second we drove by way of the gates, the world outdoors appeared to fall away. Vana was already often called one among India’s main wellness retreats for a decade earlier than turning into a part of the Six Senses model in 2023, and it now carries that enhanced status with ease. Every little thing right here is designed for stillness and being at one with your self. Telephones are saved away in public areas and all company put on mushy cotton kurta, which makes everybody look equal, free from selections about what to put on and find out how to seem. It’d sound restrictive, however we discovered it liberating.
Our days took on a rhythm formed by consultations, remedies, meals, and relaxation. Kila, the central hub at Six Senses Vana, was the place we started and ended every of our days, a hanging constructing full of gentle and calm with peaceable rest areas and a library filled with inspirational books and publications. The grounds have been superbly manicured while the encompassing forest was wild and alive. Favorite spots included the reflection pond the place it was simple to ponder life and our gorgeous Forest Suite the place we might have gazed into the depths of the forest for hours on finish.
By the top of our keep we felt lighter, not simply in physique however in thoughts, it was as if layers of noise and stress had been peeled away to disclose our interior sense of calm and wellbeing.
Eat with Six Senses at Vana
Meals at Six Senses Vana introduced us with two choices, select from the a la carte menu and intensive buffet or comply with the dietary plans set following our wellness consultations. When ordering from the menu or deciding on from the buffet, the knowledgable workers have been all the time available to advise which dishes suited our structure which meant we hardly ever ate the identical dish. One in all us was Pitta with the opposite being Vata, so each meal started with a curious have a look at the opposite plate. Generally envy crept in however by no means disappointment as Chef Rajesh and his crew managed to ship meals that was each nourishing and filled with flavour every time.
The meals was fairly merely lovely too, a vegetable wrap served on wilted spinach and pumpkin cream with a vibrant beetroot latte, adopted by a small and delicate chocolate dessert that was gentle but deeply satisfying. The thali platters have been our favourites, the spherical tray with mini bowls, every of them full of balancing substances in step with what our docs had prescribed. What stood out most was the eye to element. Vegan meals was not tucked away on a separate web page or adjusted as an afterthought. It was a part of the material of each menu. Even the buffets had clear labels for every dish, one thing we hardly ever see executed so nicely.
The workers knew the solutions once we requested about substances without having to examine with the kitchen which gave us confidence to easily take pleasure in our meals. Parts have been smaller than we normally serve ourselves at house, however surprisingly we have been by no means hungry afterwards. It made us conscious of how typically we overeat with out realising. Leaving the desk happy however comfy was one thing we needed to hold again house with us.
Wellness at Six Senses Vana
The wellness programme at Six Senses Vana was huge ranging but private. Our first consultations with Dr Jaya and Dr Sopa have been thorough and intensive, however for all the proper causes. They requested questions on sleep, moods, digestion and even issues we had by no means beforehand thought of to attach with wellness. From these preliminary consultations, our days have been full of yoga, guided meditation, acupuncture, and therapies rooted in Ayurveda and conventional Chinese language medication. Some remedies have been light, just like the muslin potli massages the place heat bundles of herbs have been pressed into the pores and skin and launched rigidity.
Others, like deep tissue massages, have been extra intense however left us feeling alive and rejuvenated. The Ayurveda centre carried an environment of calm and quiet respect while the Bodhi Tree was the right location for yoga and meditation. We discovered ourselves wanting ahead to these moments of calm as a lot as any meal. Wellness right here was not one thing separate from the remainder of our retreat, it was a really holistic strategy and it formed each a part of our keep, from the way in which we moved to the way in which we ate and even how we rested.
Staying with Six Senses in India confirmed us two sides of the identical philosophy. At Six Senses Fort Barwara, historical past and heritage got new life with considerate design and conscious dwelling. At Six Senses Vana, silence and ease reminded us of what we actually wanted. Throughout our stays at each of those luxurious resorts, wholesome meals nourished us, holistic wellness guided us, and sustainable practices underpinned our general expertise. Luxurious right here didn’t really feel extreme, it felt significant. For travellers in search of extra than simply consolation and luxurious, however for many who need to look after themselves and the world round them, these two unbelievable Six Senses resorts in India provide a really memorable expertise.
Paul Eyers
Paul Eyers is co-founder of Vegan Meals Quest who write about luxurious inns and resorts in Southeast Asia with a give attention to sustainable journey, eco journey and vegan journey. At present based mostly in Malaysia, Paul additionally writes about sporting occasions and among the best golf programs all through the area.
Did you take pleasure in this text?
Obtain related content material direct to your inbox.
