Recently in India Category

Bangalore is known as the Garden City of India, but it's one of the country's most dynamic technology and financial centers as well. Its dual identities make it a perfect destination for those traveling both for business and for pleasure, because whether you need the latest in cell phones and computers or just want a tranquil park for a relaxing stroll, you'll find what you seek in this charming city of six million. Here's another good reason to visit: Le Méridien Bangalore 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 two weekends. So check out Bangalore for a weekend and see which side suits you the best. Start by getting a sense of the city's history at the Government Museum of Bangalore. One of the oldest museums in India, the Government Museum has eighteen galleries of artifacts from the Indus valley civilizations, with an emphasis on Mohenjodaro, Halebid and Vijayanagar pieces. And when you're ready to find out how the city got its green nickname, drop by the Lalbagh Botanical Garden. The 240-acre green space has more than 1,800 species of plants native to the area, and plenty of walking trails, meadows, and picnic spots to spend a few minutes or a few hours soaking in the serenity of this well-balanced metropolis. At the end of a long day of sight-seeing or deal-making, drop by the hotel's Noir Bar (pictured) for a cocktail and think about where you'd like to travel next. New Starpicks properties are posted every Tuesday, so check the list for the latest deals.

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. This week, he writes to us from Jaipur, India where he has been staying at the Le Le Méridien Jaipur.

I don't think the experience of being in India really sank in until I watched the sun set from the Nahargarh Fort overlooking the densely populated city of Jaipur. The sun setting behind a dust and smog filled sky as the lights began to twinkle on in the city below was truly magical. But the most amazing part was the noise of the city. Even from what felt like miles above the city, I could hear a tremendous roar of the life coursing through the veins of the city as millions of families got ready for their evening meal.

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. This week, he writes to us from Jaipur, India.

When I do yoga (which is not nearly as often as it should be) I prefer the Ashtanga style (from the family of "power yoga" styles.) This means a typical yoga class for me involves being drenched in sweat and pushing myself until every muscle in my body is twitching uncontrollably. In Jaipur, India, I experience a very different kind of yoga session with Dr. Vijay Aggarwal, the Ayurvedic specialist who is now overseeing the spa at the Le Méridien Jaipur. His class is much more relaxing than what I am used to. In fact, in between every Asana or posture, he stands at ease and saysm "go for relaxation." His philosophy is that the relaxation in between postures is the most important part of the yoga training.

This makes perfect sense. After all, isn't pushing and straining to get ourselves into awkward positions something we already know how to do all to well? We all have enough practice in pushing against resistance. Where we fall short is learning how to let go in those "in-between" moments. I do feel more relaxed after Dr. Aggarwal's class, and his mantra has become mine for the rest of my travels: "go for relaxation."

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.