If you are looking for a chill place to detox, the Bheemili resort by Accor off Vishakhapatnam might just be the place for you!
By Ranojoy Mukerji
Summers are sizzling and most of us are looking for ways to beat the heat. The capital and its surrounding areas have literally become a hotbed of pollution and dry heat, so the best thing to do is to take refuge in traditional, centuries old Ayurvedic therapies and treatments. While there are many places one can go to for both softcore and hardcore treatments, a place that is relaxed and has a great positive vibe is the Bheemili Resort near Visakhapatnam, managed by the Accor group.
A beautiful wellness resort, just 25 kilometres from Vizag, the Bheemili resort is almost on the beach itself. You just cross a road in front, to take in awesome views of the majestic Bay of Bengal. In fact, so beautiful is the place that I thoroughly recommend that you take a flight that lands in the daytime, because the 42-kilometre drive from the airport is mostly on the coast and is one of the most picturesque that I have been on here. The road just runs parallel to the coast where you still manage to see natural settlements, traditional villages, and a relaxed way of life in general. This sort of sets the mood for feeling relaxed.
Once you enter the place, it is quite impressive. The interiors are largely influenced by the sea, so you get to see a lot of aquatic elements everywhere. The reception is a small, cute area. What is enticing about the property is that all its 28 rooms are sea facing and are quite spacious at 550 sq. ft each. Each room has its own private balcony sit out and besides the comfy double bed, there is a nice sofa cum bed as well in all rooms. Wi-fi is complimentary, and if you are the TV watching types, there is a 50-inch LED in each room.
What I like best about this resort is the fact that food and drink is not stuck up like many other places. There is a whole repertoire of cuisines – right from Indian to continental and even Teppanyaki – the list is endless. The very talented sous chef, a young sprightly lad by the name of G. Ravi Kiran never failed to amaze me by his cooking skills, dishing up gourmet meals seemingly out of nowhere and on top of that, a motorcycle aficionado! Very interesting. You can also get healthy diet options for your meals and a nutritionist can plan your meals here if you are staying for a slightly longer time to complete your wellness process. There is a nice watering hole here called ‘The Water Bar’, where you can order your choice of domestic and international spirits. There is a wide beer menu available as well and there seems to be a concentrated focus on white spirits – Vodka, Gin, White Rum, Cachaca and Tequila.
Of course, the focus of any wellness resort must be its treatments and therapies, and this is one place where Bheemili is in its element. Although there is a huge repertoire of treatments available, my recommendation would be to go with Ayurvedic treatments as this place excels in that. I had the opportunity to partake of only two treatments, including a massage with aromatic oils when I was there, because of the short time frame, but this is a place where you should come for at least a week if not more. The staff here is excellent and very knowledgeable – ultimately that is what makes the difference between an average experience and an amazing experience. The therapists sat with me and patiently heard me out on what problems I have and then suggested a massage with certain aromatic oils. They go through your medical history, doshas, chakras etc. to arrive at what works best for you – in my case, they pointed out which oils will work best for me. I also pointed out that I don’t like heavy pressure etc., so they custom designed a massage for me. One hour later, I was in heaven. I had dozed off during the massage and woke up feeling refreshed. Next came bath time! When we became adults, we thought that we could do everything on our own including a shower, but you never know till you have been bathed professionally! They do a great scrubbing off you, and it all adds to the rejuvenation process – you walk out of the center feeling 10 years younger. All kinds of therapy rooms are available – single, or with your partner or friend – Bheemili has something special in store for you!
The wellness center is a unique place and consists of many different areas. There are lush green lawns for meditation, or you could choose to quietly lounge in a corner with your favourite book. There is a huge statue of Buddha, under which meditation takes place every morning. There are large lawns to play games, nice benches to lounge around in and of course a very large infinity swimming pool on the roof of the resort, where you can swim to the view of the Bay of Bengal – from a distance it looks as if you can straight away jump into the sea! A state-of-the-art gym with the latest equipment looks after your exercise regime as well.
There are a host of other curated things to do as well. If you are the type who likes outdoor adventures, then the resort can organise treks in nearby areas, rock climbing and zip lining. If you are type who likes ocean adventures, then there are sports like Scuba diving, Kayaking in the sea and Snorkeling. For the little ones, there is a dedicated play area and so they won’t miss out on all the fun. This is a place that has something for everyone – you just need to ask, and an experience can be tailormade for you. There are also plenty of other activities on offer, so along with your wellness quest, you can keep your health in peak form too.
The Bheemili resort is a complete wellness center. From stellar ayurvedic treatments to fun-filled activities, it has everything under one roof. The good part is that your diet is not restricted in anyway and you are free to follow your gastronomic pursuits as well. Even if you like a drink in the evening, the resort has you well covered. The prices are also quite reasonable here, given the kind of holistic treatments they offer. This is a place to take a break if you want to feel the sand and the sea and want to reinvent yourself without the pressure of having to give up too much for too little.
