A superlative spa, set amidst a lush forest.

The spa-on-stilts at Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club, channels the beauty of the forest and the cardamom plantations through its settings and leverages Niraamaya’s wellness heritage with its immersive therapies and massages.

John Muir (who earned the monikers ‘John of the Mountains’ or ‘Father of National Parks’), an influential Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, and glaciologist, once said, “The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness. When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.”

As Muir suggested in his writings, nature heals. It restores and also rejuvenates. As it does at Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club, a haven hidden away amidst the thick forests of Thekkady and lush cardamom and other spice plantations. Nature here is all-encompassing, much like the divine. Niraamaya, in fact, translates to “freedom from ailments”.

Therapeutic massages help you relax, detoxify, manage your weight and stress, deal with ailments and restore the harmony of mind, body, and soul. The spa experience at Niraamaya Retreats Cardamom Club is unparalleled.

Situated on a hilltop, the retreat is off the beaten track, offering guests an opportunity to escape the frenzied pace of urban living. The villas are perched among cardamom plantations and surrounded by dense green jungles. The inspiring scenic surrounding transforms the retreat into a perfect destination to unwind and rekindle your energies.

The spa, built on stilts and crafted out of Bangkirai wood sourced from sustainable plantations from Indonesia, sprawls across 12,000 sq ft and has several secluded massage rooms and quiet corners. The breathtaking setting soothes the spirit, re-invigorates the body and enriches the mind.

The spa experience

Set in a wooden villa on stilts and surrounded by the beauty of a serene forest, the spa is a secluded sanctuary. If you are on a wellness package, the spa personnel will recommend massages according to your body type and your personal goals (Is it weight loss? Deal with stress? Or any other issue?). If the idea is to just relax while a trained masseur kneads away the stress from your body, there are a bouquet of therapies offered at the spa, along with yoga, healing meditation, and pranayama sessions. At the Niraamaya Spa, guests can choose from the ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda and also a host of Western and traditional Asian therapies, such as reflexology.

Before any therapy is recommended, a guest has advised a consultation session with the spa doctor. If a guest is on a short or a long wellness intervention programme, a set of therapies are recommended depending on the body type and constitution. Often, the chef and the spa doctor outline a diet plan, especially if the goal is to lose weight or detoxify..

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The signature massages

Spice Magic is a healing blend of aromatic oils that are massaged into the body in long, rhythmic movements and help to detoxify. Aromaya, on the other hand, is a holistic therapy, a gentle massage of aromatic essential oils which soothes your body and helps you relax. Jetlag Reviver is a 45-minute massage for the scalp, face, back and legs that helps relieve fatigue and muscle aches.