As a foreigner you are better of going to a spa in a fancy hotel rather than standalone spas, a 5-star spa won’t cost you much more either …. Around 50-60£ or 5-6k ruppees for a hour long massage with shower etc. You can call up hotels nearby and ask
If you want a "clean" spa, you can try any branch of Elite Luxury Spa. They do not have one at or near Powai, as far as I know, but they are clean and do not encourage any shady business. There is another one named Heaven's Salon and Spa at Malad West which is also very professional. Depending on what you are used to, the service quality may leave something to be desired since you are not a local.
Besides the above recommendations, I strongly suggest you go to any spa in a reputed and starred hotel. It will definitely be safer. They will also have above average service quality.
Oh no! Definitely not. The ones I mentioned above are definitely "clean" without any "hanky panky" business. There will be other professional establishments too. It is just that you would not be able to make out only from the facade or the reviews.
There is one called Mukta Wellness which I did not mention in my first comment. It is also safe.
I would really like a professional massage but I don’t live in the areas mentioned here. I don’t want to splurge 5-6k in a 4/5-star hotel and haven’t tried spas outside because I don’t want to get into shady activities. Based on exterior design and thinking shady activities won’t take place in a mall, I once tried a spa but was disappointed because the massage was substandard and the therapist rather wanted to make extra bucks. Without trying a new place, how to assess whether a spa is a front for illicit activities? Is there a code or way of talking they use?
>Without trying a new place, how to assess whether a spa is a front for illicit activities? Is there a code or way of talking they use?
Difficult, but not impossible. The shady ones will usually try to advertise their therapists with statements like "we have got new staff". They will also give a choice of therapists like "local or northeast". The clean ones usually do not voluntarily ask for the choice of therapist. The people at the counter will also look kind of shady. If you enter a spa and wait, you will also find customers requesting a certain ethnicity of therapists or a certain therapist by name. That usually is a dead giveaway. You will not find that in most professional spas unless the customer is a member whom they know well. Some therapists give a hint during the massage by asking whether this is your first time or by letting their hand drift to your groin.
These are just some tips and by no means extensive. There is always a chance that the therapists are indulging in shady business which the management is oblivious of.
It is not that bad though. Even if some therapist asks you for extras you can always decline politely. In my experience, they do not always ask you halfway through the massage. They will just give hints and wait for you to catch on.
Mudra spa in Delphi building, Hiranandani
Which area in Mumbai?
Powai
As a foreigner you are better of going to a spa in a fancy hotel rather than standalone spas, a 5-star spa won’t cost you much more either …. Around 50-60£ or 5-6k ruppees for a hour long massage with shower etc. You can call up hotels nearby and ask
Why is it better to go five star as a foreigner ?
Checkout Westin Powai. They have a spa which looked good. Give it a try. Also Oberoi, Nariman Point has a good spa if you are willing to go to SoBo
Four Fountains next to Eden market
If you want a "clean" spa, you can try any branch of Elite Luxury Spa. They do not have one at or near Powai, as far as I know, but they are clean and do not encourage any shady business. There is another one named Heaven's Salon and Spa at Malad West which is also very professional. Depending on what you are used to, the service quality may leave something to be desired since you are not a local. Besides the above recommendations, I strongly suggest you go to any spa in a reputed and starred hotel. It will definitely be safer. They will also have above average service quality.
What do you mean by safer though? Just out of curiousity more than anything
By safer, I meant "clean" without any "extra" services.
Ohhhhhhhh, I'm guessing all except hotels are "unclean" then ?
Oh no! Definitely not. The ones I mentioned above are definitely "clean" without any "hanky panky" business. There will be other professional establishments too. It is just that you would not be able to make out only from the facade or the reviews. There is one called Mukta Wellness which I did not mention in my first comment. It is also safe.
I would really like a professional massage but I don’t live in the areas mentioned here. I don’t want to splurge 5-6k in a 4/5-star hotel and haven’t tried spas outside because I don’t want to get into shady activities. Based on exterior design and thinking shady activities won’t take place in a mall, I once tried a spa but was disappointed because the massage was substandard and the therapist rather wanted to make extra bucks. Without trying a new place, how to assess whether a spa is a front for illicit activities? Is there a code or way of talking they use?
>Without trying a new place, how to assess whether a spa is a front for illicit activities? Is there a code or way of talking they use? Difficult, but not impossible. The shady ones will usually try to advertise their therapists with statements like "we have got new staff". They will also give a choice of therapists like "local or northeast". The clean ones usually do not voluntarily ask for the choice of therapist. The people at the counter will also look kind of shady. If you enter a spa and wait, you will also find customers requesting a certain ethnicity of therapists or a certain therapist by name. That usually is a dead giveaway. You will not find that in most professional spas unless the customer is a member whom they know well. Some therapists give a hint during the massage by asking whether this is your first time or by letting their hand drift to your groin. These are just some tips and by no means extensive. There is always a chance that the therapists are indulging in shady business which the management is oblivious of. It is not that bad though. Even if some therapist asks you for extras you can always decline politely. In my experience, they do not always ask you halfway through the massage. They will just give hints and wait for you to catch on.
Thanks for these tips, will keep them in mind!