Ditch The City For Peak Escapes: 5 Luxe Mountain Stays You Should Book Immediately
India's mountains and hills have always drawn the solitude-seekers, the romantics, and the restless
There are beach people, and then there are mountain people. If you ask me, I belong unapologetically to the latter. Nothing beats the quiet majesty of the peaks at sunsets, at sunrise, peaks breaking through misty mornings and scent of pine filling up your nostrils. Sipping coffee in the balcony at your stay for sure calls for Insta-shot.
Mountain retreats today are a must on everyone's bucket list and so a new breed of luxury stays is emerging, places that are as much about the experience as they are about the escape-not hotels which make you feel distant from the mountains.
We've a list that's high-altitude, designed for the discerning traveller who prioritises the view and intimate escape over the grandeur of villas as while staying classy. These stays bring a different kind of indulgence. The one where minimalist cabins help you focus on the present moment, at the serendipity around you that makes things esoteric nevertheless.
Luxury Mountain Stays
Think geodesic domes perched on spice plantations, cabins standing still at the hilltop, giving you the ultimate view from your window of the Himalayas, what more could you ask for!
Willmount Geodesic Domes
Where: Vagamon, Kerala
Perched above a 13-acre cardamom plantation, these futuristic domes offer panoramic views of the western ghats, with stargazing ceilings, curated interiors, and trails that vanish into the mist, the stay is surreal blend of design, sustainable living, and nature.
Designed with transparent panels for uninterrupted views and outfitted with plush interiors, every dome feels like a cocoon suspended in mist. Enjoy sipping on your warm tea, paragliding, cycling to snake through the spice-laden forests in Vagamon.
Tara Mountain Sarai
Where: Zanskar, Ladakh
Tara mountain Sarai is a boutique glamping retreat nestled in the remote Lungnak Valley of Zanskar, Ladakh, offering five luxury tents that blend traditional Ladakhi aesthetics with modern comforts, providing guests with an immersive experience amidst the Himalayas.
Furnished with heavy Sal wood beds, plush bedding, and cozy block-printed rajais to ensure warmth at night even on those below 10 degree Celsius, the tents are located in the midst of serene and picturesque environment.
Elakai
Where: Munnar, Kerala
Elakai is a private luxury villa located near Chinnakanal in Munnar, Kerala, nestled in Western Ghats, surrounded by cardamom plantations and overlooking the beautiful Anayirangal Lake. 120km from Kochi International Airport, Elakai is in proximity to attractions like the Munnar Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam, Suryanelli peak and Top station as well as the Eravikulam National Park.
The Kumaon
Where: Kasar Devi, Uttarakhand
The Kumaon is a boutique luxury retreat situated in the serene village of Kasar Devi, near Almora in Uttarakhand, India. Perched at an elevation of approximately 1,600 meters, it offers panoramic views of the majestic Nanda Devi range providing guests with an immersive Himalayan experience.
The minimalistic design of the luxury retreat that holds 10 suites distributed across 5 chalets and is actually designed by a Sri Lankan architect Pradeep Kodikara.
The location of the retreat that sits on mountainside ridge above Almora in the Kumaon Himalayas, also adds allure to the place- frequently visited by notable figures like Bob Dylan and Swami Vivekananda in the past.
Camp Della Resort
Where: Lonavala, Maharashtra
Nestled on a hillside within the expansive 43-acre Della Resorts property in Lonavala, providing scenic views and a tranquil environment, the luxe glamping spot located in Lonavala offers the comfort of high-end hotels and camping in the midst of Sahyadri hills, part of the Western Ghats. You can witness the valleys, the cliffs, the dense forest from the Camp Della estate, especially during winter.