Recently in New Delhi Category

India's Haryana state offers nearly limitless opportunities to travelers, from bustling business centers like Gurgaon to cultural treasures like the Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary. If you've never before explored this vibrant community just 65 kilometres from New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, now's the perfect time. The Westin Sohna-Gurgaon Resort & Spa is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, with last-minute rates of at least 20% off regular rates for stays during the next eight weeks. Located on 35 acres of manicured gardens, this five-star resort is the perfect place to relax and savor the beauty and tranquility. Spend your day playing tennis on the outdoor courts, go for a horse ride on a lush bridal trail, or splash around in the freeform swimming pool. Indulge in a massage treatment at the Westin Heavenly Spa, or have a little retail therapy amid the hotel's gallery of designer shops. All-day dining can be found in the Living Room - because travelers can be on all different schedules - while Xiao Chi is an open-air pavilion featuring traditional Chinese cuisine from five different regions. For after-dinner cocktails, take a seat in Xiao Chi Lounge, or drop by Mix, a romantic spot overlooking landscaped gardens with a creative selection of cocktails and small plates. Of course, the Westin Sohna-Gurgaon Resort & Spa is just one of dozens of Starpicks properties this week, so check the list for the destination of your dreams.

Jeremy McCarthy is the Director of Global Development and Operations for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and thelobby.com's expert on everything spa.

One spa trend that continues to flourish is the demand for spa services by younger and younger clients. Children and teens enjoy being treated to spa services as much as their grown-up parents do. While this is not yet offered at many hotels, The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali and The Westin Sohna Gurgaon Resort & Spa in India are both meeting this demand with new children's menus being provided through the spa. Services include everything from beauty treatments such as hair braiding and manicures to therapeutic and stress-relieving massages. The kids enjoy the extra treatment, and it's a perfect way to keep them occupied while their parents experience their own spa treatments. I think parents also like the idea of their young ones learning about renewal and relaxation at a young age.

Peter Foreman is the Director of Sales & Marketing at the Sheraton Haikou Resort in China.

The Westin Sohna-Gurgaon, Resort & Spa opened earlier this year as India's first Westin and offers guests a rejuvenating experience with the full range of Westin's renowned signature amenities including The Westin Heavenly Bed®, Heavenly Spa by Westin(sm), Westin WORKOUT ® Powered by Reebok, Westin Kids Club®, and The Westin sensory welcome. Guests seeking an opportunity to socialize will appreciate Unwind: a Westin Evening Ritual featuring the tastes, sights and sounds of India.

Just 90 minutes from New Delhi International Airport , The Westin Sohna-Gurgaon, Resort & Spa is an ideal weekend getaway or innovative venue for meetings and conference. Set amidst lush gardens, the resort offers 97 rooms and stand-along suites. The resort showcases India's first Heavenly Spa by Westin, fusing modern hydrotherapy with ancient Ayurveda inspired treatments. Besides spa treatments, experience daily classes in meditation, yoga, and Tai Chi within its location, a stunning meditation pyramid (pictured) surrounded by water and simply known as Peace.

Jeremy McCarthy is the Director of Spa Operations Development and Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and thelobby.com's expert on everything spa. He is currently on an "around the world" spa tour with Starwood where he has been posting from his various destinations throughout the month. Today, he concludes his trip in India.

I was able to travel around India in style as The Westin Sohna Gurgaon Resort & Spa sent me with Vinod, one of the hotel drivers, in a new SUV that very much represented the personality of the hotel. Vinod was the perfect companion for my journeys. At times, he respected my privacy as I tuned into my Ipod and watched India roll by through my window. At other times, he entertained me with lengthy and fascinating conversations on the history of his country and his culture.

Jeremy McCarthy is the Director of Spa Operations Development and Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and thelobby.com's expert on everything spa. He is currently on an "around the world" spa tour with Starwood and will be posting from his various destinations throughout the month. Today he crosses continents and writes to us from India.

The Westin Sohna-Gurgaon is Starwood's newest foray into India (with a rich pipeline of other new properties following close behind.) The Sohna region lies just outside the hustle and bustle of high-energy Delhi, and the Westin is a wellness retreat with the Heavenly Spa as the focal point. The spa offers not only the signature uplifting treatments that Heavenly Spa is known for, but also a variety of ayurvedic treatments using medicinal herbs and oils from India's ancient healing traditions.

Yoga and meditation classes ensure that mind, body and spirit are all brought back into alignment. The instructors, like Susmita (see above) are extremely well educated and happy to share the philosophy behind their teachings. In one half hour session, I learned more about the origins and concepts of yoga than I have in years of taking classes in the US.

Jeremy McCarthy is the Director of Spa Operations Development and Marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts and thelobby.com's expert on everything spa.

The next several posts will be from an "around-the-world" journey with Starwood. I'm starting in Fiji, at the The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa (where I'll be sneaking in a week of vacation.) Then heading to Beijing where I'll be staying at the The Westin Beijing Financial Street and meeting with the new Spa Director for the new The Westin Beijing Chaoyang, currently under construction but on a tight timeline to be ready in time for the Summer Olympics. From Beijing I head to The Westin Guangzhou which just opened a few months ago and features a new Heavenly Spa by Westin. After Guangzhou I meet with some of our corporate teams in Singapore. I then fly to Delhi, India to visit another new Westin property, The Westin Sohna Gurgaon Resort & Spa. After a short stint in India, I move on to visit The Westin Mina Seyahi, Dubai's latest gem. And my last stop (before returning to New York) is in Brussels, Belgium where I will be meeting with our corporate team for Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

One of Starwood Spa Collection's "Seven Pillars of Well Being" is Nature. And with good reason, since contact with nature relieves stress while bringing joy and appreciation. One of the best spas in the world for representing this pillar, is the Heavenly Spa by Westin at The Westin Denarau Island Resort & Spa in Fiji. Just walking through the spa has a calming effect. The traditional Fijian treatment "bures" are spread out on the property and surrounded by beautiful flowers and a tranquil lotus pond. We had the Fijian "bobo" massage in a couples' treatment bure right on the pond. The combination of friendly Fijian staff, an extremely relaxing massage and the beautiful natural surroundings left us floating on clouds for the remainder of our stay.