It’s the nocturnal monologue of the mind, announcing the stillness and the reposeful static condition of the being. In other words, sound, deep, restful and heavenly sleep. An essential need of healthy living that has assumed the overtures of propping up as a “luxury”. Wonderful isn’t it that someone should pay so much attention to it, research it and put it on a significant pedestal it rightfully deserves.
I am talking about ‘Heavenly’ sleep here. Hectic schedules and frenetic urban pace take their indelible toll on your health. In feather soft, air cushion-fluffy and neatly layered, satiny smooth dazzling white covers of my bed, I discovered blissful sleep. It happened. In far away Beijing. Yes, right from gluing on to Bhimsen Joshi’s rare ragaas on in-flight entertainment to fabulous cuisine and wines to loads of pampering on the Jet Airways Business Class flight to Hong Kong, I was literally on cloud nine over Chinese skies!
Pioneering concept
The Westin Beijing Financial Street and The Westin Beijing Chaoyang are two iconic super-luxury five-star hotels in the heart of Beijing and both properties make sure that their guests get proper relaxing sleep. The Westin ‘Heavenly Bed’ phenomenon, a pioneering concept, was the world’s first in the hospitality industry.
Gone are the days when five-star hospitality limited itself to beautifully appointed rooms and suites, expensive toiletries thrown in and Broadband internet access. The accent now, I realised, is more on ‘real’ luxury’, real comfort especially in the Westin Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide.
Their iconic 10-layer ‘Heavenly Bed’ is a well researched combo of box spring, 13-inch pillow-top mattress, luxuriously soft white sheets, blankets, and a variety of pillows — all catering to ensure wellness. This product can also be purchased online and a personalised retail experience awaits buyers at the new Westin online store ( www.westin.com/store), which features an Interactive Retail Concierge to assist with your purchases. By the way, good things in life sure carry a smart price tag: Rs. 1,30,000 for a ‘Heavenly Bed’.
Their other ‘Heavenly’ wellness products include signature White Tea candles and oil diffusers, the Heavenly Rollaway Bed, and Brazilian combed cotton towels and bath sheets plus the recently introduced Heavenly Bath Line created with Bliss Spa, a Heavenly Travel Blanket, and a Heavenly Robe. Inspired by the brand’s very popular, signature White Tea in-room amenity offerings, the new Heavenly Bath Line already has a strong following.
Renewal and rejuvenation are other truly very relaxing experiences I had at The Beijing Westin Financial Street. I felt the thrill of being in school again as I re-invented my playful and fun-loving side to the hilt! My bold attempt at Chinese calligraphy and painting on rice paper was a revelation... At the final flourishing stroke of my brush, my instructor promptly rolled away the ‘masterpiece’; he loved it so much that he took it home.
It didn’t end just here. We did some muscle-stretching in slow mo as our graceful Tai Chi instructor sailed gentle with those relaxing movements, my desperate attempts to match step with poise scored only five on the charts.
‘Unwind’ goes further to test your culinary skills. Hmmm, I love eating Dim Sums, but oh OH, making them myself with the expert chefs watching? Now that’s embarrassing. But I did it! Dim Sum making is part of the free relaxation ‘Unwind’ package alongwith the calligraphy and Tai Chi classes at The Westin Beijing Financial Street.
Easy and informal
These unwinding and renewal activities help the guests still their pace and be themselves, promote personal networking and connectivity in an easy and informal environment.
Says the dynamic and handsome Jan Bundgaard, General Manager of the soon-to-be-launched Westin Mumbai Garden City, “Worldwide, Westin Hotels & Resorts has been celebrated for its innovations. We want our guests to leave every Westin experience feeling better than when they arrived.”
The highlight of the stay awaits guests when they return after a tiring day out. The Westin ‘Bathologist’ stirs up a luxurious custom-made bath in different themes that works as a fantastic night cap; mine was with a Mediterranean accent. This feature is complementary for Renewal Room onwards but chargeable for Deluxe Room guests at Rs. 2800.
The next day my nutritive ‘Superfoods’ breakfast, a wide array of healthy food options, was invigorating. Before my trip back, my ‘Heavenly Spa’ body massage experience had me departing a better person, relaxed, revived and rejuvenated. At the end of it all, it was indeed a ‘Heavenly’ experience.
Heavenly Deals
The Westin Beijing Financial Street currently has several interesting packages on offer:
The ‘Reward Offer’ (Rs.16,000 a night per couple) with complementary breakfast, complementary upgrade to Renewal Room, bathologist’s treatment for one night and 60 minutes full body Chinese massage.
‘Take a piece of Heaven Home’ offer for the 10th Anniversary of the ‘Heavenly Bed’ is priced @ Rs. 14,400 a person per night for 10 nights and packs in a complementary ‘Heavenly Bed’ or alternately offers 10 complementary nights stay if the ‘Heavenly Bed’ is purchased.
The Westin Beijing Chaoyang currently has:
The Indulge’ Package @ Rs.13,600 a person per night with complementary breakfast, sparkling wine and strawberries on arrival, compliementary Westin Workout gym access and 4.00 p.m. late check out features.
