We caught the red-eye from Mumbai to Dehradun — and it was worth every moment. From the sticky 33°C humidity of the city to the crisp, pine-tinged 22°C air upon landing — bliss. Outside the airport, I spotted my name on a placard held by the hotel’s driver. Seamless. The one-hour drive to The Westin Resort & Spa Himalayas unfolded like a familiar memory — winding roads, filtered sunlight, and scenery that felt straight out of a Ruskin Bond novel. A cliché, perhaps. But impossible to resist.
The hills were calling, and I was ready to answer.
Check in: 10/10
As we stepped into the lobby at The Westin Resort & Spa Himalayas, it took a second to recalibrate — soaring ceilings, honeyed light, and that rare kind of hush that makes you instinctively slow down. Spacious, serene, and just the right amount of show-stopping.
A Garhwali topi was placed gently on our heads a sweet, ceremonial gesture that instantly grounded us in the culture. We were handed Burans tea — a vivid, ruby-red welcome drink made from the local state flower. Fragrant, slightly tart, and grounding in the way only something truly regional can be. The kind of thoughtful detail that says: you’re not just arriving, you’ve already begun.
A few signatures later and we were headed straight to breakfast — bags still unpacked, shoulders already relaxed.
Rooms: 10/10
Stepping into the Executive Suite at The Westin Resort & Spa Himalayas felt less like checking into a hotel and more like walking into someone’s very well-designed mountain home. A sprawling living space — complete with a powder room, dining table, work desk, and lounge area — flowed effortlessly into not one, but two private balconies. (Honestly, I’ve seen entire 3-bedroom Mumbai apartments with less square footage.)
The bedroom opened to yet another sit-out, overlooking the hills and the pool. Morning coffee here? A ritual in serenity.
And then there was the welcome — a tray of hand-labeled desserts nestled under delicate glass cloches, flanked by fondant makeup minis and a postcard from the resort.
Dining: 9/10
Next stop: Akasa, the hotel’s all-day dining haven with both indoor coziness and open-air charm. Every meal felt like a mini culinary festival—“spoilt for choice” doesn’t even cover it. My standout? The Garhwali Thali—a symphony of local spices and farm-fresh ingredients that somehow tasted like home and adventure all at once.
That night, we switched gears at Toya, the resort’s pan-Asian hotspot. Sizzling teppanyaki theatrics right at your table, chefs flipping prawns and veggies like edible fireworks. Dining here was a delicious front-row ticket to a flavor show.
Experiences: 9/10
I’ve always believed a hotel’s spa reveals its true philosophy — its approach to wellness, detail, and how it wants you to feel. At The Westin Resort & Spa Himalayas, that philosophy is grounded in the brand’s signature Six Pillars of Wellbeing, and it comes to life at the Heavenly Spa by Westin — which, frankly, delivers exactly what the name promises.
We opted for the 60-minute couples massage, followed by a slow wind-down in the steam room and pool. It was the kind of reset that makes you forget your body was ever tense. We sipped herbal tea before and after — a quiet ritual that somehow made it all feel deeper.
The resort features not one, but three pools — including an icy-blue infinity pool (a personal favorite), a kids’ pool, and a bubbling whirlpool. There’s also a fully equipped gym and a yoga pavilion, where you can sign up for guided morning sessions if you’re in the mood to stretch before your smoothie.
For those craving a little fun, the games room is a playful dream. With two bowling alleys, foosball, air hockey, table tennis, and a few arcade games you’ll pretend are “for the kids.”
Beyond the property, the hotel thoughtfully curates the spiritual energy that Rishikesh is known for — whether it’s an evening Ganga Aarti or a guided city tour. Bonus? They send you off with a snack hamper for the car — a detail that, somehow, feels like care in its simplest form.
Check out: 10/10
Check-out was as quick and seamless as you’d hope — but it was the thoughtful parting gift that stayed with me. A soft toy version of their elephant mascot, Jumbo, tucked alongside a bundle of Himalayan herbal treasures. Ghee, jaggery powder, and turmeric powder from Valley Culture, a beautifully conscious startup based in Uttarakhand. The kind of gesture and souvenir that carries the feeling of the place long after you’ve left.
Final Thoughts:
By the time we checked out of the hotel, I was deeply relaxed, mildly sun-kissed, and already planning my return. It’s the kind of place that knows how to balance ritual with indulgence — where a thali can feel spiritual, a spa treatment practically medicinal, and a welcome tray includes fondant lipstick (because why not?).
Everything here — the pools, the pillows, even the herbal tea — feels like an invitation to exhale. If you’re looking for a little stillness, a lot of softness, and mountain air that does something to your soul… book the trip. You’ll thank yourself.
Prices for the Executive suite starts from: INR 1,60,000 + taxes (approx).
Book here.
Images by: @currentmood.mag , @currentmoodmag.travel