Le Sutra: Get Roped Inn

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Step into India’s subconscious. On level one is the all-consuming tamas guna, opulent and erotic. On level two, the active, passionate rajas guna. And balanced perfectly on level three is the minimalist, ethereal sattva guna. Best part is that if you can shell out the moolah, a “chakra” elevator will take you straight to the highest level, usually reached by only a few evolved beings.

This 21st century shortcut to nirvana and more is on offer at Le Sutra, Mumbai’s newest spiritual art hotel.

Chamber Made

Every room at this brand new property tells different stories - philosophical, historic, religious, mythological - expressed spectacularly through specially commissioned art installations. Ingeniously, these also double up as furniture. A Star Wars light saber-style Trishul for instance, pointedly reminds its guests of creation, maintenance and destruction, but also serves as a coat rack. The edgy damaru art piece that symbolises conscious and unconscious states is also a bedside table. And the exquisite chairs, corresponding with the themes of each room, could easily be mistaken for pieces of art.

Of Chairs, Chakras and Chakli

Unveiled earlier this week, Le Sutra has opened only its Sattva floor, with Tamas and Rajas waiting in the wings. This last level features Shuddhi, Prakriti, Nirvaan and Mandala rooms. Our favourite is the earthy Nirvaan chamber with a Buddha fresco, a Dove and Hand cupboard that keeps your mind in check, giant Khadau slippers that prevent outflow of energy and a Sanchi Stupa Chair that will help attain a Bodhisattva state of mind. Divine!

It’s amazing how much attention has gone into the interiors of this little hotel: a see-through panel in the elevator displays seven body chakras as you ascend; a living tree outside the Prakriti Room is fitted with multi-coloured wooden parrots; soya chakli and other healthy treats grace complimentary room trays.

A Room With a View Point

The Indian art themes and exotic in-house services – face reader, chakra cleanser, yoga teacher – may seem gimmicky, but one look at the rooms and you’ll know that the hotel is deeply thought out and researched, and is much more than a tourist trap.

If EM Forster were alive, he’d agree that Le Sutra could inspire another Room With A View. Or at least one with a view point.

Getting there: Le Sutra, Union Park, next to Olive Bar and Kitchen, Khar (W), call 26492995 or www.lesutra.in; bookings start after a month, Rs 7,500 to 9,500 per room.