A luxury wellness retreat in the Himalayan foothills where healing feels like a gift, not homework. Six Senses Vana is stunning. Entirely dedicated to wellness, but not the hardcore kind. It's approachable. Cocooning. Like your cool friend who's into health and wellness but still sneaks a dessert.
— Victoire Spoerry, Serenity Ways
I just got back from Six Senses Vana, and I'm still carrying that place with me. It's tucked into 21 acres of sal forest near Rishikesh, a quick hop from Delhi, and the energy there... it stays with you.
This is wellness that feels like a holiday. No pressure. No guilt. Just this beautiful space where you can actually breathe and figure some things out about yourself. Let me tell you what it's really like.
Getting There Is Half the Magic
You fly into Dehradun, 30 minutes from Delhi. The moment you arrive at Vana, something shifts. The world just... quiets down. All this lush greenery, floor-to-ceiling windows bringing the forest inside, and this design that's fancy but never trying too hard.
They hand you a white kurta-pyjama to wear during your stay, which I thought was brilliant. Everyone's wearing the same thing, super comfortable, and suddenly you're all on the same team. No designer labels. No comparisons. Just people.
Phones work in your room, but the common areas are deliciously free from buzzing and scrolling. The digital detox happens naturally, and honestly? You won't miss it.
What you eat at Six Senses Vana (Better Than You'd Think)
Here's where Vana surprised me most. The food is genuinely good. Not "good for wellness food." Actually good.
There are two restaurants. One serves international Mediterranean cuisine, the other focuses on Indian and Ayurvedic dishes. I mostly stuck with the Ayurvedic restaurant because I wanted the authentic experience, and these chefs... they're exceptional. They tailor everything to your consultation and dosha, but it tastes like real food. Flavorful, satisfying, the kind of thing you'd order even without health goals.
In the evenings, they rotate through regional Indian cuisines. One night from Kerala, another from Punjab. The variety is incredible, and everything is made with produce from their own organic gardens. You can taste the freshness.
Now, about that flexibility. Some of my clients worry they'll be starved at wellness retreats. Not here. I saw croissants and pastries at breakfast. Desserts at dinner. Vana knows you're human. If you want to follow your program strictly, great. If you need a treat, that's fine too. No judgment. No guilt trips.
The place knows how to please food lovers while still offering profound healing.
Suites That Feel Like Home
My Bodhi Suite had a balcony overlooking the forest and my own meditation room. Spacious but not excessive, with neutral tones and local art that just worked. Everything's sustainably designed, and the vibe is so calm you can't help but unwind.
No TV demanding your attention. No Wi-Fi pulling you back into emails. Just you and the trees and this sense of deep luxury that comes from simplicity done right.
Wellness At Your Own Pace
This is what sets Vana apart. It's completely focused on wellness, but it's not here to make you feel bad about yourself.
You start with a consultation and health check. If it's your first time with Ayurveda, you discover your dosha and the doctor explains what it means in a way that actually makes sense. No mystical jargon. Just practical wisdom about your body and how to work with it.
The programs are incredibly flexible. The level of personalization is such that sometimes it doesn't feel like you're following the program you booked. You're just following the program you actually need, with treatments that make you feel better. That's the whole point, isn't it?
How Long Should You Stay at Six Senses Vana?
It depends what you're after. Many guests come for a quick wellness reset before or after exploring India. Others stay longer for a proper detox. The repeaters often come for a week or two every year, treating it as their annual yogic retreat in high luxury.
The Ayurvedic massages here are genuinely excellent, which isn't always true at Ayurvedic properties. Don't hesitate to ask for specific therapists once you find ones you connect with.
The Tibetan Medicine Surprise
Vana offers something rare: authentic Traditional Tibetan Medicine. It's incredibly difficult to find good practitioners, and Six Senses Vana has brought in someone exceptional. If you're curious about healing traditions beyond Ayurveda, this is a beautiful introduction.
The Vibe Is "Feel Great and Enjoy Life"
Look, Vana is a luxury wellness retreat with genuinely skilled 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 with their strict protocols. It's way more laid-back.
For me, that's the beauty of Vana. It's approachable. An introduction to Ayurveda without feeling like you're in medical school. Wellness with a wink.
If you're looking for something more intense, a deep detox or super-strict regimen, I can suggest other destinations where you'll find that intensity. Vana is more "let's feel great and still enjoy ourselves."
What You Can Do (Or Not)
There's plenty if you want to be active. Indoor and outdoor pools, both heated, which I love. Early morning yoga in this stunning pavilion. Deep meditation sessions where the energy of the place helps quiet your mind without effort.
You can trek into the hills or visit Rishikesh, the yoga capital and an important spiritual city. Or you can just lounge by the pool with a book. The whole place has this easy flow. You're never forced into anything.
The community vibe is wonderful too. That kurta thing makes everyone feel equal, and you end up having real conversations with strangers. It works whether you're solo or with friends.
The Six Senses Touch
Since Six Senses took over in 2023, they've added their signature magic. They invest heavily in wellness and bring these fantastic concepts to life. Their touch is elegant but never over-the-top, and it fits Vana's whole philosophy perfectly. They kept the heart and soul, just made everything a little slicker.
Who This Place Is Really For
Vana is for people who want a wellness boost but also want to enjoy themselves. It's India, it's gorgeous, and it's healing without the hardcore rules. You leave feeling lighter, more yourself, but not like you've just survived boot camp.
I'd send my friends here if they're after a break with some self-love thrown in. First-timers to Ayurveda. People who are wellness-curious but intimidated by strict protocols. Anyone who wants to feel better without feeling deprived.
But let's be honest about who it might not serve. If you're after a full-on, no-compromise detox where every toxin gets scrubbed out and comfort doesn't matter? The approach here might feel too gentle. And if you're already advanced in your yoga or Ayurveda practice, the practitioners are absolutely fantastic, but most guests are beginners, so you might not find the intensity you're seeking.
Vana is wellness with warmth. Your cool friend who's into health but still believes in pleasure.
My Real Take
I loved Six Senses Vana. The flexibility, the sincere Ayurvedic foundation, the way the forest and treatments and food all come together. It just clicks. You get the benefits of traditional medicine and yoga without feeling like you're in a monastery or a clinical environment.
For a wellness getaway that feels like a treat rather than a test, this is it. I left happier, calmer, and yeah, a little different in the best way.
The energy of this place and its amazing people stays with you long after you've left. That's not something you can plan or design. That's just what Vana is.
Questions about Six Senses Vana? I'm here.
We can also talk through whether this is your ideal retreat or if another property might serve you better. Sometimes the honest answer is that Vana isn't quite right for what you need, and that's okay. Our job is helping you find the place that is.
Stay well,
Victoire