Inside the viral luxury spa in Maharashtra where Turkish dreams come true

Just when you think you’ve escaped civilisation amidst acres of greenery, looms a luxury spa that looks like it’s right out of an Arabian Nights fantasy. No, it’s not a mirage. Imposing and ornamental, a profusion of arches on the façade are embellished with intricate detailing in blues and turquoise picked up by touches of yellow gold.

Wellness First

At the entrance, recessed 10-foot-high double doors are set within a tall pointed arch which touches the base of the second floor. A honeycomb-like cluster of miniature arches fills the space surrounding the double doors in a complex symmetrical geometry. The expanse of applied ornamentation and mouldings creates a palace-like aesthetic.

Shilp Wellness, the high-end luxury spa in Panvel on the outskirts of Mumbai, has been designed by GMB Verve, drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern hammams. “Hammams, as we understand them, were not a luxury experience,” says Gajessh Badsewal of GMB Verve. “Here, pampering has been taken to another level. To enjoy the appointment-based services, clients are encouraged to spend the entire day at the spa, indulging in the different therapies offered.”

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The structure has three levels, with the meditation and yoga rooms being in the basement. The ground floor covers 5000 square feet, its double height lobby having a 22-foot-high ceiling. A 12-foot-high white sculpture of a cross-legged human figure in the traditional Indian posture of meditation depicts the seven chakras of yogic teachings. The bold harlequin flooring immediately beneath it offers a dramatic contrast in black and white. The rest of the flooring radiates outwards in a complex geometry requiring precise measurements. Overhead, a cluster of multiple filigreed pendant lights creates a subdued glow. The lounge, powder room, and changing rooms are also located on this level. The first floor houses various therapy rooms, while the terrace is used for private parties.

From Middle East To Mumbai

In consonance with Islamic tradition, there is a profusion of surface treatment and detailing. As at the front elevation, arches abound in the interior too. A dome above the intricately inlaid slab of the hammam is supported by columns. A grand ambience is invoked through architectural detailing, cornices and patina finishes. “12 artists worked for three months to create figurative paintings on selected walls, extending from floor to ceiling. Arched niches and even ceilings have artwork – no wall has flat paint,” says Badsewal. The subject matter of the artwork is streetscapes with men in djellabas, turbans and fez caps, some smoking a hookah – all against a backdrop of numerous minarets to add depth and layers. Cement board jaalis with laser cut designs carry forward the aesthetic, bespoke tiles and marble adding to the luxury quotient. Washbasins are solid marble carved in floral scallops, the hardware in a retro look. “The lamps have been customised in fibre…even the grills for the air conditioners have been designed to conceal their contemporary appearance. The furniture has camel bone inlay.” Everywhere you look, there is much to take in; the compounded effect is one of magically transporting the viewer to a foreign land.

Multiple varieties of lighting illuminate the space. Pendants, wall sconces, cove lights and floor lamps create combinations of light and shadow. Underwater lighting which sets the pools aglow is from ABBY. Plumbing and heating arrangements provide exotic touches. The water in three blue mosaic-tiled pools is maintained at different temperatures as required by various therapies, while a giant overhead “flower” in the ceiling above the inlaid slab of a hammam sprinkles rose water on pampered clients.

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Mindful of Indian culture, privacy has been provided through individual cabins. “Unlike traditional hammams which are enclosed spaces, huge windows provide a connect with nature. Dense landscape populated by birds offers a soothing vista to clients while they are undergoing their chosen wellness treatments,” says Badsewal. The attention to detail has ensured that the palm trees in the garden are of the species that is native to Middle Eastern countries.

With a vision which brings together architecture, surface detailing and art, GMB Verve has designed a space which creates an ambience and an experience for its users; the imagery evoked transports them to a world of luxurious relaxation.