Introduction

Named the #1 Best Destination Spa in the World in Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 (UK), the #3 Best Destination Spa in the World in Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2023 (US & UK), and the #3 International Destination Spa in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2023, Ananda in the Himalayas is a multi-award-winning holistic wellness retreat in North India. Through a referral from a fellow travel journalist, I was introduced to Ananda in early 2020 and began representing the luxury spa retreat as their North American public relations agency. After a pause due to the pandemic, I resumed PR efforts for Ananda in July 2022, and they remain a current client.

About Ananda in the Himalayas

Ananda in the Himalayas is a world-renowned holistic wellness retreat located in the Himalayan foothills of North India, overlooking the spiritual town of Rishikesh and the River Ganges. Situated on the former Palace Estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal, the retreat spans 100 acres of lush grounds and gardens and is surrounded by forested hillsides.

As the birthplace of Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation, this spiritual destination embodies and facilitates wellness and enlightenment. Ananda’s philosophy centers on Ayurveda, holistic wellness, yoga, meditation, emotional healing, spiritual awareness, and healthy cuisine. At the heart of Ananda lies its 25,000-square-foot wellness center, offering beautifully designed therapy rooms with nature views, open-air yoga and meditation pavilions, an outdoor pool, a physiotherapy center, a gymnasium, and a comprehensive range of Ayurvedic and international therapies for holistic cleansing of the body, mind, and soul.

Working with Amanda in the Himalayas

For over 25 years, Ananda in the Himalayas has catered to an affluent, well-traveled global audience, with its primary customer base stemming from the U.S. With great success in building a brand in the rapidly growing wellness tourism industry, Ananda distinguishes itself from competitors by remaining true to its founding philosophy rooted in Ayurveda.

As their PR agency, my role focuses on building new relationships with media, identifying strong opportunities for experiential stories, and increasing awareness of the retreat’s new offerings, programs, and treatments. Through several comprehensive media tours in New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, I have coordinated, planned, and hosted multi-day schedules, introducing Ananda’s Chief Operating Officer to leading media in luxury travel and health and wellness. These in-person media meetings have led to feature articles, first-person experiences, profiles, and increased brand recognition for Ananda.

I have successfully secured coverage for Ananda in top-tier outlets across their niche markets, resulting in features and mentions in Departures, Vogue, Town & Country, AFAR, Travel + Leisure, Elite Traveler, Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Robb Report, Robb Report MUSE, Prevention, Haute Living San Francisco, CNBC, Bold Traveller Magazine, The CEO Magazine, The Agency Magazine, Vogue Japan, enRoute, The Globe & Mail, Prestige, Organic Spa, Well + Good, and many more.