Best Massage Parlours in Delhi for a Spa Experience
While there are plenty of shady massage parlours in Delhi, there are also some excellent and reputable wellness clinics that offer therapeutic massage.
As a past Delhi resident, I have tried or visited all of these. They are professional massage parlours that are known in Delhi for wonderful service.
The Best Legitimate Massage Parlours in Delhi
These are the best massage parlours in Delhi for a spa like experience:
1. Tattva Wellness
Tattva Wellness is one of the most trusted spa brands for massage in India. They offer a full range of traditional and healing massages including Swedish, deep tissue, aromatherapy and ayurvedic.
You’ll find Tattva Wellness in several hotels outside the centre of Delhi.
2. Sawadhee Traditional Thai Massage
This is my favourite legitimate massage parlour in Delhi that is not a in luxury hotel. They offer traditional Thai, deep tissue, hot stone or sports massages. The spa is beautiful and spotlessly clean.
There are two locations, Defence Colony and Vasant Kunj.
Sawadhee Traditional Thai Massage website
3. Kairali Ayurvedic Centre
This is one of India’s most trusted ayurvedic wellness brands, and they have the best ayurvedic massages in Delhi.
Kairali uses herbal oils, scrubs and specialty muslin poultices filled with rice, seeds and powdered pulses in a variety of massages, each one targeting specific ailments, such as headaches, obesity and diabetes.
The Abhyangam is their most popular massage – a whole body massage with herbal oils.
Located in Ambedkar Colony, Mehrauli.
Kairali Ayurvedic Centre website
4. The Lodhi Spa
The Lodhi Spa is an exceptional spa, and I would expect nothing less as it’s located in one of Delhi’s most luxurious 5 star hotels, the Lodhi. This is probably the best hotel spa in Delhi.
The spa is an oasis of tranquility, but where they really outshine the competition is in their exhaustive list of massage therapies. You can get everything from Swedish deep tissue to sports, to lymphatic drainage massages plus a long list of ayurvedic massages.
The Lodhi Spa also has a traditional Turkish style hammam with separate sections for men and women. Hammam treatments include the vigorous massage/soapy scrub down Turkish hammams are famous for.
Located in the Lodhi, New Delhi.
5. Imperial Hotel Spa
Delhi’s most beautiful heritage hotel has an equally gorgeous Moroccan inspired spa.
The Imperial Hotel Spa offers traditional, Thai, Balinese, hot stone and fitness massages. Bespoke oils are used in the treatments which rely heavily on ayurvedic principles.
If you time your massage for the early afternoon, you can enjoy the afternoon tea buffet in the Atrium (Thursday to Sunday, 3:00 – 6:00 pm), and tour the renowned art collection in the lobby and hallways after.
Located at the Imperial Hotel, Connaught Place, New Delhi.
6. Chi, The Spa
Located at the Shangri-La Eros Hotel, Chi, the Spa is an oasis of quiet luxury in the heart of Delhi. Treatments include deep tissue, Asian, Balinese, Ayurvedic and hot stone massage therapies.
The spa is one of the largest in Delhi, spread over 20,000 square feet and it oozes quiet, subdued elegance.
Located at the Shangri-la Eros Hotel, Connaught Place, New Delhi.
What are the different kinds of massages?
All of these massage parlours in Delhi offer different types of massage, and each one has different health benefits.
Swedish Massage
This is probably the most popular massage type and what some spas refer to as ‘traditional.’ It uses different techniques such as effleurage (stroking), friction (rubbing), petrissage (kneading) and tapotement (rhythmic chopping). Pressure will vary from light to firm.
It’s one of the best massages to reduce tension and anxiety.
Hot Stone
Basalt stones are heated and applied to the body with hot oil. The massage therapist will glide the stones along the body and then rest them on the back, palms, feet and stomach.
This is one of the best massages for total relaxation and is sometimes used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Cold stones are occasionally used to soothe irritated skin.
Deep Tissue Massage
Sometimes referred to as a sports massage, this one is great for anyone with tight muscles.
Deep layers of muscle and surrounding tissue are targeted by using short, slow strokes and strong pressure from the therapist’s thumbs, forearms and elbows to break up tight, knotted muscles.
Shiatsu Massage
In Shiatsu massage the therapist uses their fingers, palms, elbows and sometimes feet to apply pressure on specific points or channels of the body. It is done through clothing and does not use oils. Shiatsu is an ancient and traditional massage therapy from Japan.
Shiatsu massage can eliminate tension, reduce muscle and joint pain, and improve flexibility.
Thai Massage
A Thai massage is a bit like a hatha yoga session where your therapist does most of the work. Thai massage focuses on stretches and is often done on a mat placed on the floor.
You’ll probably keep you clothes on for this one (some spas provide loose shifts), so make sure you wear something loose and comfortable. This is great massage to reduce stress and boost energy levels.
Balinese Massage
Aromatherapy is an important part of a Balinese massage and will use a liberal amount of essential oils. This style of massage uses stretches, reflexology, acupressure, kneading, stroking and skin rolling.
It’s kind of like a combo massage, incorporating different elements from many styles of massage. Expect your therapist to use deep pressure to get into muscles and knots.
This type of massage is great for boosting energy and can help alleviate sports injuries.
Abhyanga Massage (Ayurvedic)
This is the most common ayurvedic massage. Warm herbal oil is liberally used to massage the entire body (including scalp). This is not so much a deep tissue massage, but a gentle massage with light pressure meant to boost the body’s energy flow.
Benefits are improved sleep, reduced stress and lower blood pressure.
Pinda Sweda (Ayurvedic)
Pinda Sweda is a massage with muslin poultices (called khizi) that are rubbed over the body. The pouches are filled with herbs, powdered pulses, seeds and rice, then soaked in herbal oil.
This type of massage is ideally done by at least 2 massage therapists, one on each side. It’s ideal for anyone suffering from back pain, arthritis, muscular or soft tissue pain.
How is Ayurvedic massage different?
India is the birth place of ayurvedic medicine so it makes sense that massage parlours in Delhi offer different ayurvedic massages.
But how is an ayurvedic massage different from a traditional massage?
The key difference is the liberal use of oil. In a traditional massage, oil is used to help with massaging the skin, in ayurvedic massage, the oil is an integral part of the therapy. The oil is heated and always herbal.
An ayurvedic massage is a lighter touch, meant to clear energy channels and dislodge toxins. It’s a bit like getting a facial on your whole body.
How to Tell if it’s a Reputable Delhi Massage Parlour
Like I said, there are a lot of seedy massage parlours in Delhi. So how can you be sure the one you are going to is legitimate and professional? These are good indicators:
- not open late at night
- exterior windows are not covered
- entrance is well marked and not down a back alley
- uses a proper in-take form to check for health concerns
- very clean
- the reception area is well lit
- staff are dressed professionally
Last Words on Best Massage Parlours in Delhi for a Spa Experience
Don’t hesitate to get a massage while in Delhi. If you go somewhere reputable (like the ones I’ve listed) cleanliness and service standards are very high. In a crazy city like Delhi a proper massage is a great way to decompress.
