Hilton Hotels & Resorts has recently announced the opening of Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa, its first leisure property in India. Operated by Hilton Worldwide and owned by Writer Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd., the retreat is nestled in the serene and unspoiled landscape of the Sahyadri mountain range in the Western Ghats. Located approximately a 2.5-hour drive (100km) and 30-minute helicopter ride from Mumbai and 1.5-hour drive (80km) from Pune, the property is spread across 320 acres within the 3,500-acre private Shillim Estate. Offering a sanctuary for the body, mind and spirit, the retreat features ecologically designed all-villa accommodation with butler service, extensive dining options, one of the largest wine cellars in India and among the largest and most comprehensive spa facilities in Asia that encompasses 70 acres and offers more than 150 treatments. The retreat is designed, built and operated with sustainability as its core commitment. With the opening of Hilton Shilim Estate Retreat & Spa, Hilton Worldwide extends its Hilton Resorts portfolio to 80 resorts across 29 countries.All-Villa Accommodation
The 99 villas at the retreat, set amidst rice fields, bamboo plantations and virgin forests, feature private decks or balconies, dedicated treatment areas and valley or forest views. The interior of the villas combines simple, contemporary elegance with up-to-date technology to offer private relaxation havens. The Spa Pool Villas and Presidential Pool Villas additionally include private gardens and swimming pools.
Extensive Dining Options
The retreat offers extensive dining options that include the best of spa cuisine in addition to Mediterranean, Asian and local delicacies. The six exciting on-site restaurant, bar and lounge venues primarily utilise organic and locally sourced ingredients providing guests the opportunity to enjoy fine dining whilst maintaining a regime of good nutrition. Special dining experiences include the Chef’s Table, a private dinner with the chef at a unique location on the banks of a seasonal waterfall overlooking the valley; Dining by Design, whereby guests can dine at a venue of their choice on the retreat’s extensive grounds, and Dining Prive that allows guests to enjoy a set dinner menu specially crafted by the chef in an intimate setting. Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat and Spa also offers a unique culinary experience, wherein celebrity chefs from across the world are invited to present their culinary magic. A detailed culinary calendar is displayed on the website of the retreat.
Shillim Spa
While Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa’s mission “to conserve, to preserve, to heal, to celebrate” permeates every experience at the property, it is at the Shillim Spa that it is reinforced. This unique spa integrates the ancient philosophic, spiritual and artistic wisdom of South Asia with contemporary international practices and therapies to offer complete rest and rejuvenation. The extensive facilities include dedicated spa villas, treatment suites, consultation rooms, relaxation terraces, a Yoga Pavilion, Meditation Cave, a spa restaurant, an outdoor heated spa pool, conventional and infrared saunas, steam, outdoor hot tubs and hydrotherapy tubs. The services range from Acupressure, Naturopathy and Acupuncture to Ayurveda, Reiki, Shamanism Therapy, Fire Healing, Tai Chi, Watsu, Meditation and Yoga.
Exciting Recreational Facilities & Services
Recreational opportunities include yoga, meditation, and cooking, dance, music and pottery classes as well as treks, picnics, mountain-biking, horse-riding, fishing and excursions to the nearby Maratha forts of Tungi, Tikona, Lohgad and Visapur and ancient Buddhist rock caves of Karla and Bhaja.
Shillim Institute
Guests can also participate in discourses, workshops and courses at the Shillim Institute. The primary focus of the Institute is to conserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Western Ghats and engage the region in global discussions on sustainability; involve the local inhabitants in mutually beneficial initiatives with the objective of enhancing their lives and offer guests the opportunity of gaining insight into indigenous art, music, dance, poetry, healing, botany, hydrology and much more. The Institute also offers week-long exchange programmes, conducted by visiting masters or Institute facilitators, in an endeavour to facilitate the coming together of the arts, culture, policy and practices from across the world.
Intimate Business & Social Events
The retreat also presents an exclusive location for intimate corporate meetings, business events, social gatherings and private receptions, with a provision to accommodate up to 100 people in a range of settings. Up-to-date technology and the full range of business services are available including high speed internet access, video conferencing, audiovisual equipment rental and secretarial support.
