#AccorHotels launches Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat

- Enters the retreat and rejuvenation market -

Goa, Thursday 28 January 2019: #AccorHotels today announced the launch of the Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat, an exquisite property dedicated to traditional healing. Situated on the serene Divar island on Goa’s beautiful Mandovi river, the property will offer visitors authentic Ayurveda, Naturopathy and Yoga treatments with international hospitality standards. Launched in partnership with the Alcon Victor Group, an established hospitality brand in the Goa market, who conceptualised and ran the Devaaya Retreat for a number of years.

Ayurveda means “the sacred knowledge of life” and this traditional science offers elegant and insightful tools to bring balance to the mind, body and senses, and help people experience harmony and wellness. At Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat, ayurvedic physicians prescribe personalised treatment programmes for each guest, after a detailed consultation. These holistic healing programmes performed by expert therapists, constitute specific daily routines, regulated nutritious diet, and wellness activities. Treatments include Abhyanga, Panchkarma, Svedan, AntarSnehan, Virechan, Basti, Shirodhara, Pizhichil, Navrakizhi and Nasya.

Yoga helps to enhance physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. At the Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat, yoga therapies are tailored for various skill levels and health requirements. Sessions are designed to support the experience of higher levels of wellness and contentment through individualised practice. The property’s in-house yoga physicians provide detailed consultation for physiological, philosophical and theoretical yogic goals. The property also offers tailor-made corporate yoga programmes for professionals, managers, executives and technicians through its programme titled ‘Self-Management of Excessive Tension.’

Naturopathy at the Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat combines age-old therapies with modern treatment modalities with a goal of preventing and curing illness. Diets are designed to help de-stress, detoxify, cleanse, offer deep relaxation while simultaneously offering guidance in the areas of nutrition, exercise and lifestyle. The retreat’s dedicated Naturopathy centre also has a team that has been trained in holistic care and offers treatments like acupuncture, hydrotherapy, mud therapy, colon hydrotherapy, spinal spray, hip bath, arm & foot bath, sauna bath, enema and a range of, therapeutic, Swedish, deep tissue and lymphatic drainage massages.

Situated on a peaceful island, with distinctive Goan architecture, the picturesque property offers 28 well-furnished therapy rooms (modern/ rustic), a large yoga pavilion, river facing venues, hydrotherapy rooms, mud bath areas, physiotherapy rooms, fitness centre, swimming pool, jogging track and an array of diet centres serving pure vegetarian and customised ayurvedic

diets. Programmes are guided by a set of skilled doctors, vaidyas and therapists who map personalised treatment plans, based on each resident’s condition. Plans begin with a recommended 3-day stay, 7-day stay, and a possibility of extension based on consultation with physicians.

With food being a central component of wellness programmes, the retreat site offers an eclectic range of healthy dining options. Manos offers sattvic food and beverages with a scenic view overlooking the Mandovi river, while Jetty restaurant provides healthy snacks and juices, along with poolside restaurants Malar and Amboi, which are ideal places to enjoy one's meal. Smoke and alcohol-free environment at Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat makes it the perfect venue for rejuvenating and healing from the stresses and pressures of modern urban life.

Mr. Victor M. Albuquerque, Managing Director, Alcon Victor Group said, “We expect the Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat to be a sanctuary of wellness for a number of people from domestic and international markets. By making it a Mercure, we bring to the table, global standard best practices and make available traditional lifestyle and wellness experiences to an expanded audience.”

“The launch of Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat marks another milestone for #AccorHotels’ expansion in India. The traditional wellness market is increasing rapidly, and people are looking for solutions to urban stresses and lifestyle related health issues. Our partnership with the Alcon Victor Group is based on complementary strengths and we look forward to working together in successfully positioning this new offering from #AccorHotels.” said Mr. Jean-Michel Cassé, Chief Operating Officer, India & South Asia, AccorHotels.

Mr. Sanjay Pagi, General Manager, Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat shares, “At the Goa Devaaya Retreat, we aim to address every aspect of the mind-body-spirit trinity in an authentic and scientific manner. Our daily schedule begins with early morning yoga sessions and moves through the day into more specific and tailored individual programmes. We seek to create a wellness sanctuary for our guests, with the explicit aim of creating more balance in their lives and addressing specific concerns, stresses or ailments.”

With Mercure, AccorHotels offers hotels that are all different and locally inspired.

Mercure is the only midscale hotel brand that combines the strength of an international network with a strong quality commitment and the warm experience of hotels that are rooted in their local community. Mercure hotels are managed by enthusiastic hoteliers and welcome business and leisure travelers across the world. Mercure has over 790 hotels in 63 countries. They are ideally located in city centers, by the sea or in the mountains.

AccorHotels is a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,600 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 10,000 of the finest private homes around the globe.