OBMI discusses the design of Westin Himalayas Resort & Spa
OBMI has shared insight into the interior design details of Westin Himalayas Resort & Spa, a wellness destination in Rishikesh, where the practice of yoga was founded.
Perched at 4,500ft above sea level, the 141-room resort comprises royal garden villas with private pools, a spa, four food and beverage spaces and a large rooftop infinity pool with a swim-up bar and garden. Setting out to create an ambiance that felt secluded and exotic, yet warm and welcoming, OBMI has honoured the area’s spiritual roots.
OBMI has designed each space to evoke the presence of nature, with a colour palette of neutral, earthy tones and calming tactile textures. Organic forms feature throughout – furniture and lighting fixtures shaped like seed pods and cocoons, for instance – while natural materials like walls of stone nod to the surrounding mountainside. Local craft makers have carved ornate Jali screens for the resort, and created woven basketry elements from plants that are indigenous to the region.
Taking advantage of the region’s beauty, viewpoints have been emphasised wherever possible, through the provision of multiple spaces where guests can sit and observe.
“There is such a vast history of the region and we wanted to honour this throughout the resort’s design,” said Theresa Zavala, Design Director of OBMI. “Materials and colour palettes were carefully considered to pay homage to the past while bringing the property into modern day. Travellers who visit the resort can journey back in time while also feeling grounded in the present.”
