Mystical gimmickry: Mumbai's 'spiritual' Le Sutra hotel

Since it opened this year, Bollywood beauties to Hollywood filmmaker Baz Luhrmann have faked nirvana at Le Sutra, Mumbai’s new-age art hotel, on a posh hill in Bandra.

Designed to depict eastern concepts of the human consciousness, each floor of this space represents a level of spirituality. The higher the floor, the lighter the state of mind.

And the lighter your wallet. 

Just hand over the plastic, take a short ride in the chakra-laden elevator, and you’ll get to the top in record time.

Token moksha for the instant messaging generation. 

Step by step meditation takes on a new meaning

Level one is tamas guna, focused on pleasures of the flesh. It’s not complete yet -- only the third and highest floor is currently open for guests -- but the décor promises to be opulent and erotic, a nice segue into the frenzied energy of the rajas guna on the second floor. Level three is the sattva guna, featuring minimalist décor, pure, straight lines and simple shapes that allude to the ascetic, stripped down truth at the heart of the universe.

Which other hotel has face readers in the next room?

The exotic Indian themes, along with in-house services like sessions with face readers and chakra cleansers may feel gimmicky, conceits specially designed to pull in the droves of international travelers and expats that Bandra attracts. But one look at the scale of this project, the attention paid to every mirror and wall hanging, and you realize that Le Sutra is a bona fide tourist trap.

Interior decor concepts are taken from the vast repertoire of stories that make up Hindu lore. These are told through wall murals, installations and art pieces that double up as furniture: the three-pronged Trishul, for instance, is a symbol of creation, maintenance and destruction, but also functions as a coat rack. A chair is both a philosophical manifestation and a place to rest your feet. And you may find yourself hanging your clothes up in a Dove and Hand cupboard that allegedly helps keep your mind in check.

We especially loved the living tree in the backyard, decorated with a flock of multicolored carved parrots, and a mural at the entrance, painted by the director Baz Luhrmann on a recent trip to India.

Mumbai needs more boutiques hotels so Le Sutra is a very welcome addition to the neighborhood. And in fairness it doesn't claim to be anything other than an 'art hotel.' However, even that's pushing it. 

Le Sutra, Union Park, next to Olive Bar and Kitchen, Khar (W), call +91 (022) 26492995; www.lesutra.in; bookings start in March, Rs 7,500 to 9,500 per room.