Lal Kothi's Charm
Nestled in Dehradun's tranquil outskirts, Lal Kothi offers a serene escape with its exposed brick architecture and wabi-sabi interiors. This three-storey
homestay provides a peaceful ambiance, featuring earthy tones and raw finishes. Guests can enjoy Awadhi-inspired cuisine, crafted by intuitive cooks with ingredients sourced locally and from regions like Aligarh for spices. Signature dishes include mutton shami kebabs, biryanis, and seasonal parathas. The retreat also boasts common spaces with a library and dining area, perfect for relaxation. For entertainment, board games are available, and the terrace offers panoramic views of the Mussoorie hills, ideal for bonfire evenings. It's a perfect blend of rustic charm and culinary excellence, located just a four-hour drive from Delhi.
The Jungalow's Vistas
Located amidst Bir's iconic terrace fields in Himachal Pradesh, The Jungalow provides breathtaking mountain views. This three-storey homestay, run by the Dikonda family, offers four well-appointed bedrooms, each with large windows and balconies overlooking the Dhauladhar range. Guests have access to a shared kitchen and en-suite bathrooms. The property features a private entrance and an upper terrace for 360-degree mountain panoramas, often dotted with paragliders. The homestay serves homely, vegetarian meals reminiscent of Andhra cuisine. Its prime location offers easy access to the popular paragliding landing site, cafés, and opportunities for mountain adventures, all within a 9.5-hour drive from Delhi.
Tanhau's Wilderness
Perched atop a hill near Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, Tanhau Homestay offers an immersive nature experience. Spread across nearly 5 acres, this small, eco-conscious retreat is about an hour from the park's main gate. It overlooks vast, uninterrupted forest cover. Tanhau comprises two charming cottages, Chukar and Bagh, both featuring spacious verandahs ideal for wildlife viewing. The interiors are designed with sustainable furnishings and a nature-inspired colour palette, enhanced by wildlife photography. Beyond traditional safaris, Tanhau offers unique low-impact activities like walking safaris, village walks, riverside picnics, and camera trapping workshops, allowing guests to potentially capture nocturnal wildlife sightings. It's a unique five-and-a-half-hour drive from Delhi.
Jungle House History
Set on Jakhu Hill in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, Jungle House is a historic cottage with roots tracing back to the 1880s. Maintained by the same family since 1941, it opened its doors to guests in 2022. The homestay retains its colonial charm with sloping roofs, deep verandahs, sash windows, and teak floors, complemented by 1930s-40s Art Deco furniture. It offers two grand suites, Chelsea and Holly, along with access to common areas like a lounge and an anteroom. Outdoor spaces include a patio with a fire pit and grounds for croquet. Activities range from guided walks in the surrounding cedar forest and treks to Jakhu Mandir to unique experiences like a picnic breakfast on Shimla's highest peak and heritage walks. Additional excursions include golf at Naldehra Golf Course and trips to Kufri. This distinguished retreat is a 6.5-hour drive from Delhi.
Rajan House Elegance
Located in the peaceful Gopalbari area of Jaipur, Rajasthan, Rajan House is a boutique guesthouse evolved from a family home. Featuring five centenary arches, a hallmark of Rajasthani heritage architecture, the first floor is transformed into guest accommodation. A spiral staircase leads to a living room with a skylight, creating an airy ambiance. The house offers four uniquely decorated rooms, with hand-block printed textiles created by the owner. Two rooms have adjoining balconies, while a family room includes bunk beds and a double bed. A unique conversation pit, inspired by Rajasthani stepwells, features a projector and screen for entertainment, replacing traditional TVs. This vibrant guesthouse is approximately a 4.5-hour drive from Delhi.
