Spread Across 320 Acres in Western Ghats and a Short Drive from Mumbai and Pune, Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa Features Among the Largest and Most Comprehensive Spa Facilities in Asia
MUMBAI, India & McLEAN, Va., 2013-01-16 — /travelprnews.com/ — Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide, today 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.
“Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa is an exceptional addition to our fast growing portfolio in India. Given the facilities and services on offer, we expect the property to become the favorite gateway for guests travelling on leisure in the region. We now operate 11 hotels in the country and, at the current pace of rapid growth, we hope to increase our portfolio to 50 hotels in the next five years”, said Martin Rinck, president, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide.
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.
“The opening of Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa is a significant milestone in our expansion. Not only is it our first leisure property in India, it is a very unique addition to the brand’s global portfolio. With this launch, we now operate five hotels in India. The other brand hotels in the country include Hilton New Delhi/Janakpuri, Hilton Mumbai International Airport, Hilton Chennai and Hilton New Delhi-Noida-Mayur Vihar”, said Rob Palleschi, senior vice president and global head, Hilton Hotels & Resorts.
Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa is located at Pawana Nagar Taluka Maval, Pune – 410401, Maharashtra, India. For more information or to make reservations, dial +91-21-14712 468 or visit shillimretreatandspa.hilton.com.
Media can access additional information about Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa at http://news.hilton.com/shillim. View more news about Hilton Hotels & Resorts openings and a development map at http://news.hilton.com/openings.
About Hilton Hotels & Resorts
One of the most recognized names in the industry, Hilton Hotels & Resorts stands as the stylish, forward thinking global leader in hospitality. From inaugural balls and Hollywood award galas to business events and days to remember, Hilton is where the world makes history, closes the deal, toasts special occasions and gets away from it all. The flagship brand of Hilton Worldwide continues to build upon its legacy of innovation by developing products and services to meet the needs of tomorrow’s savvy global travelers while more than 144,000 Team Members shape experiences in which every guest feels cared for, valued and respected. Today, the Hilton Hotels & Resorts portfolio includes more than 550 hotels in 80 countries and the brand remains synonymous with “hotel.” Access the latest Hilton news at news.hilton.com or begin your journey at www.hilton.com. Social media users can engage with Hilton at www.twitter.com/hiltonhotels, www.facebook.com/hilton and www.youtube.com/hilton. Hilton Hotels & Resorts is one of Hilton Worldwide’s ten market-leading brands.
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxurious full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and mid-priced hotels. For 93 years, Hilton Worldwide has offered business and leisure travelers the finest in accommodations, service, amenities and value. The company is dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences across its global brands. Its brands are comprised of more than 3,900 hotels and timeshare properties, with 650,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories and include Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages the world-class guest reward program Hilton HHonors®. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.
Contact
John Forrest Ales
Hilton Hotels & Resorts
+1 703 883 5212
johnforrest.ales@hilton.com
Ketaki Narain
Hilton Worldwide
+91 124 482 2662
ketaki.narain@hilton.com
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Hilton Hotels & Resorts today announced the opening of Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa, its first leisure property in India. Credit: Hilton Hotels & Resorts.