When you are at Six Senses Vana, you feel truly blessed. The energy of the place and its amazing people stays with you long after. An inspiring and comforting destination to embark in a life-changing journey.
Six Senses Vana is a stunning luxury hotel entirely dedicated to wellness. But not hardcore wellness. It's very approachable. Cocooning. Like your cool friend who’s into health and wellness but still sneaks a dessert.
— Victoire Spoerry, founder, Serenity Ways
Okay, so I recently checked out Six Senses Vana, this gorgeous retreat tucked into the Himalayan foothills near Rishikesh, India. It’s nested in 21 acres of sal forest, a quick hop from New Delhi by plane, and a vibe that’s all about kicking back and feeling good. It feels like a holiday with a side of wellness, no pressure attached. Here’s the scoop on what it’s like, why I loved it, and who it’s really for (spoiler: not everyone!).
Getting to Vana and settling in
The trip was a breeze. Fly into Dehradun, 30 minutes from Delhi, and they whisk you straight to the retreat. The second you roll up, the world just… quiets down. It’s all lush greenery, big windows letting the forest peek in, and this chill, earthy design that’s fancy but not in-your-face.
Oh, and Six Senses Vana is one of the top sustainable resorts in India.
The feeling at Six Senses Vana
The staff hand you a white kurta-pyjama to wear, which I thought was brilliant. Super comfy, and suddenly everyone looks like they’re on the same team.
Phones? You can use them in your room. No buzzing distractions in the common areas, a most welcome digital detox.
Food That’s Good (and Sometimes Naughty)
The food at Six Senses Vana? So nice. There are 2 restaurants: one international, and one Indian and Ayurvedic. I wanted to experience Vana in the most authentic way, so I mostly sticked with the Ayurvedic restaurant. They’ve got these outstanding Ayurvedic chefs who whip up stuff tailored to your consultation, and it actually tastes amazing.
In the evening, they serve Indian classics, one evening for every region of India. The international restaurant follows Mediterranean vibes, healthy, but not boring, and with some deserts that will challenge your motivation to stick with detox or enjoy a treat.
A part of the food actually comes from Vana's own organic gardens. Very fresh, incredibly tasty.
Some clients of Serenity Ways are always afraid of the food in wellness retreats, wondering if they will be starved. Nothing to worry at Six Senses Vana: you actually don’t have to stick to the plan if you don't want to: I saw croissants and pastries on offer. No guilt trips here. It’s perfect if you want to eat well but aren’t ready to swear off treats. Vna knows how to please food lovers.
Suites That Hug You Back
The rooms are pure bliss. My Bodhi Suite had a balcony with a forest view, as well as my own meditation room. Super spacious, yet simple and cozy, with these neutral tones and local art that just worked. It’s all eco-friendly, and the vibe is so calm you can’t help but unwind. No TV blaring, no Wi-Fi nagging. Just you and the trees, in luxury and style.
Wellness that doesn't judge you
Here’s the deal: Six Senses Vana is all about wellness, but it’s not here to boss you around.
You kick things off with a consultation and health check. If it's your first Ayurveda experience, you discover your Ayurvedic dosha, and the ayurvedic doctor explains all there is to know about it.
The programs are extremely flexible. In fact, the level of personalization is such that sometimes it doesn't feel like you're in the program you booked: you're just in the program you need, with the treatments that make you feel better.
What's the ideal program duration at Six Senses Vana?
It depends what your objectives are. Many guests come for a relatively short wellness reset before or after visiting India. Others come for a longer detox cure. This is particularly true for repeaters: for some, it's a yearly yogic retreat, in high luxury.
Ayurveda is usually not that impressive in terms of massages, but the massages at Six Senses Vana are quite good. Don't hesitate to ask for the therapists you like more.
Traditional Tibetan Medicine at Six Senses Vana
Vana has a few surprises, too, like Tibetan healing. It's very rare to find good Traditional Tibetan Medicine, and Six Senses Vana offers an excellent introduction to this ancestral medical science.
Feeling great and enjoying life
Six Senses Vana is a luxury wellness retreat with great practitioners, but it’s not hardcore. Want to skip the detox juice and grab a croissant? Go for it. This isn’t Chenot or Lanserhof. It’s way more laid-back, like wellness with a wink.
For me, that’s the charm of Vana. It’s approachable: an introduction into Ayurveda without the stern lectures.
If you’re looking for a more transformative program, a deep-dive detox or super-strict regimen, we can advise you other destinations instead, where you will find the intensity that you're looking for - in a good way. Vana? It’s more “hey, let’s feel great and still enjoy ourselves.”
Stuff to do (or not)
There’s plenty to keep you busy if you want. Indoor and outdoor pools - heated, which I love. Early morning yoga sessions in a beautiful pavilion. Deep meditation sessions - the beat of Six Senses Vana helps quiet the mind.
You can even trek into the hills or pop over to Rishikesh, the yoga capital and a very important spiritual city, for a little adventure.
But if you just wanna lounge? That’s fine too. The whole place has this easy flow. You’re not forced into anything, which is something so appreciated by many clients.
Oh, and the community vibe? So chill. The kurta thing makes everyone feel equal, and you end up chatting with strangers like it’s no big deal. Solo or with friends, it works either way.
The Six Senses twist
Since Six Senses took over Vana in 2023, they’ve sprinkled in some of their magic. Six Senses invests heavily in wellness and brings fantastic concepts to life. The Six Senses touch in the wellness universe is quite fancy but not over-the-top, and it fits Vana’s whole deal perfectly. They’ve kept the heart of Vana, just made it a bit slicker.
Who’s Six Senses Vana For (and Who It’s Not)
So, here’s my take. Six Senses Vana is for people who want a wellness boost but also a holiday vibe. It’s India, it’s gorgeous, and it’s healing without the hardcore rules. You leave feeling lighter, more you, but not like you’ve just survived a marathon. I’d send my friends here if they’re after a break with some self-love thrown in.
But if you’re the type who’s all about a full-on, no-compromise detox? Like, you want every toxin scrubbed out and don’t care about comfort food? The approach at Vana may be too beginner-friendly and flexible for you. And if you’re already at an advanced level in your Yoga or Ayurveda journey, the therapists and practitioners at Vana are absolutely fantastic, but most of the guests are discovering yoga, so you might not find the extra challenge you're looking for.
Vana’s more like your cool friend who’s into wellness but still sneaks a dessert.
The Verdict: what to think about Six Senses Vana
I really liked Six Senses Vana, it's flexibility and sincere Ayurvedic roots. It’s this perfect mix of chill and meaningful. The forest, the treatments, the food, it all just clicks. You get the perks of traditional medicine and yoga without feeling like you’re in a monastery or an Ayurvedic clinic.
For a wellness getaway that feels like a treat, not a test, this is it. I left happier, calmer, and yeah, a little different, in the best way.
I hope you liked this insider review. If you have questions about Six Senses Vana, feel free to reach out to me.
Best regards, Victoire
💛 ⭐
You can also contact me to get my advise about the ideal program for you. Maybe the best retreat for you is Six Senses Vana, or maybe it is another great wellness hotel. During the consultation, we will discuss your objectives and find out.
Also, booking your program with Serenity Ways gives you exclusive amenities, without paying more.
