The former home of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal remains part of the guest experience. Arrival takes you into the Palace Lounge, where portraits, antique furniture and chandeliers accompany a ginger-lemon infusion at check-in. There is room to sit with a book here rather than simply pass through to reception. The palace gives Ananda a historic identity, although most accommodation is elsewhere on the estate.

This is a hillside address above the town, not a hotel on the riverfront. Visits to Rishikesh take planning around the retreat schedule. Within the grounds, buggy transport is available, along with elevators and portable ramps for the restaurant and spa. Discuss individual mobility needs before choosing a room, particularly if assistance will be needed throughout the stay.

Ananda has 75 accommodations: 64 rooms, eight suites and three villas. The suite collection comprises two Deluxe Suites, four Garden Suites, the Viceregal Suite and the Ananda Suite. This range makes the choice more specific than simply deciding how much space to book.

Deluxe rooms measure 45 square meters and have walk-in closets, bathtubs and private balconies. Palace or garden outlooks provide an alternative to the Rishikesh valley views. Premium Valley View rooms occupy the fourth, fifth and sixth floors, so the higher-floor category is worth considering if the outlook matters most. A chaise lounge and tea table make the balcony usable for a quiet morning, while a settee provides indoor seating. Cotton kurta pajamas are supplied daily for wearing around the retreat.

Deluxe Suites add an attached living room, two bathrooms and a larger balcony. Garden Suites extend into private gardens. For a longer visit with more time spent outdoors, the ground-floor Ananda Suite has its own garden and gazebo, with separate sitting and dining areas overlooking the valley. The Viceregal Suite is the palace option: a period four-poster bed, antique furnishings and a private terrace with rooftop gazebo give it a different character.

There is one one-bedroom villa and there are two two-bedroom villas. Each has a living room, butler pantry, bathroom sauna and a 40-square-meter private swimming pool with a deck. The two-bedroom layout accommodates four guests across separate bedrooms, making it useful for companions following different schedules. Elsewhere, occupancy is limited to two per room; extra beds and triple occupancy are not available.

A program begins with consultation rather than a generic list of treatments. Ananda's published arrangements include pre-arrival discussions, on-site reviews and a follow-up after departure. The selected program determines the balance of therapies, individual sessions and food guidance. Discuss the proposed duration and daily commitments before confirming dates, especially if you also intend to explore the region.

Ayurveda is a central practice, with consultations conducted by Ayurvedic doctors and treatments carried out by therapists. The wider team includes nutrition, yoga and fitness specialists. Ananda's wellness approach draws on traditional practices; it should not be understood as a promise of a particular health outcome. For guests, the practical distinction is having a schedule planned around their circumstances, rather than choosing an unrelated treatment each afternoon.

Traditional Hatha yoga and meditation sit alongside this work. The sample daily schedule moves between morning yoga or a nature walk, stretching, Vedanta discussions and spa appointments, with gym sessions or meditation later on. Weekly cooking classes also feature. The timetable varies, and group activities are optional. Vedanta talks introduce Indian philosophical ideas, providing another way to participate beyond movement and body treatments.

The spa covers 25,000 square feet. Steam and sauna facilities, a chill plunge pool and Kneipp foot baths accompany the treatment spaces. Fitness facilities include cardio and strength equipment, with personal training available. There is enough variety to discuss a program that reflects your interests, without needing to fill every gap in the day with an appointment.

Outside, the temperature-controlled swimming pool sits beside the spa, with forest along the hillside and loungers on the deck. Poolside service includes light food, juices and lassis. Guests must be at least 18 for massage and body treatments. Yoga, meditation and fitness sessions are available from age 14, which is also the minimum age for staying at the property.

Meals on wellness programs are personalized within Ananda's Ayurvedic framework. Seasonal vegetables, fruit and whole grains feature alongside lean proteins such as chicken and fish; this is not an exclusively vegetarian kitchen. Menus reflect the chosen program, and dietary preferences should be discussed in advance. Vegan, vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be accommodated, while the culinary studio gives guests a chance to learn preparations they can use at home.

The Restaurant serves Indian, Asian and Western cooking amid a grove of sal trees. Its Tree Top Deck looks toward the valley, while the Pavilion provides a more casual setting for tea, coffee or a meal. In-room dining is also available. For a private occasion, options include the Music Pavilion and palace rooftop, with selected suite terraces and villa pools available to their respective occupants. Outdoor arrangements depend on the weather.

The Ganga Aarati at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh is one excursion worth allowing time for. Held around sunset, this devotional ceremony brings prayers and lamps to the riverbank. Ananda estimates about three hours for the outing including the drive, so it needs more than a brief gap between appointments. Reception can confirm the timing. Attend with respect for the worship taking place.

Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport is approximately 35 kilometers away; the property estimates a road transfer of about 45 minutes, subject to traffic and conditions. Arrange the onward car journey with the arrival flight in mind. Monsoon rain affects the summer months, while winter mornings and evenings call for warmer layers.

During the stay, mobile phones may be used in rooms and certain outdoor areas, but not in the spa or during yoga, meditation and Vedanta classes. That boundary is worth considering before bringing work along. Ananda gives solo travelers and couples a place to follow a wellness routine with professional guidance, private accommodation and time between sessions. Leave room in the itinerary to use all three.