Mickey Sidhu and his spouse Marina purchased a former ‘shikaar lodge’ in Punjab to construct a private retreat. But quickly, the home developed into Antler Woods, a soulful homestay. Just half-hour from the center of Chandigarh, tucked beside the tranquil Siswan Dam and bordered by the Shivalik foothills, Antler Woods was born out of a deep love for the outside. Spread throughout 4.5 acres, the property unfolds throughout a number of terraces, every revealing a distinct perspective of the Shivalik forest vary. The homestay options two spacious rooms and a collection. The latter comes with an adjoining kitchen in addition to a eating and residing area with a fire. Set on a terrace, the Glass Room is a stunning spot to lounge with a e book whereas the solar is out. For the adventurous, an in-house naturalist takes guided hikes by way of the encompassing forest. Birders in explicit are in for a deal with as the realm is dwelling to a surprising number of birdlife. And if the pull of town calls, Chandigarh, with its cafés, galleries, and markets, is simply half-hour away, providing the right stability between a back-to-nature retreat and concrete power. Doubles from Rs12,500. — Shweta Dravid
Capella Forest Retreat and Homestay, Goa
Cyrus Dalal
Ayesha Madon had been working a restaurant in Goa for 18 years when she determined to purchase a patch of forested hillside in the laid-back village of Parra in 2006. There, surrounded by outdated jamun, gulmohar and mango bushes, she and her then husband constructed a house that she opened up to friends 6 years later for travellers in search of ‘the opposite facet of Goa. Just a 30-minute drive from Manohar International Airport, Capella Forest Retreat is constructed on a number of ranges to adapt to the hilly terrain. Inside, Ayesha has curated the interiors over time with vintage furnishings, classic mirrors, lamps, and a treasure trove of books that line the lounge. Capella has 4 guestrooms: two on the decrease degree excellent for {couples} and solo travellers, and two upstairs which can be extra spacious and might accommodate a household of 4. The menu at Capella adjustments every day, providing Indian classics, and as a nod to Capella’s Parsi-Goan roots is the signature Parsi-style Akuri scrambled eggs. While Capella solely serves breakfast, the house’s well-equipped kitchen is offered for friends who’d like to put together or reheat a meal. And when it comes to eating out or ordering in, choices are loads. There are issues to do for each sort of traveller: the wellness visitor can e book an appointment from Under the Tree, a famend home-based spa service. Nature lovers can be a part of birdwatching walks to the Succoro plateau, the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, and the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary. Adventure seekers can partake in water sports activities close by. Culture vultures is perhaps drawn to the church buildings of Old Goa or the museum at Aguad Complex. And for individuals who need to dabble in some cooking , Ayesha can organize cooking courses with Mrs Achrekar, who specialises in Saraswat delicacies. Doubles from Rs 7,500. — Shweta Dravid
NORTH, Naggar
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Swara Goswami
Raised in Shimla, architect Rahul Bhushan based NORTH in 2017, a Himachal-based collective that builds pure buildings like houses, eco-resorts, cultural haats, temples and heritage buildings throughout India. A veritable instance of their architectural rules is a big property and mountain cabin throughout the NORTH campus that doubles up as a homestay to host friends. Unlike Manali that’s packed to the brim with vacationers, Naggar, a bit of over 20 kms away, is a breath of recent air. The primary constructing in the NORTH campus is a three-storeyed construction constructed utilizing wooden and stone in Kath Kuni fashion. It homes two bedrooms for friends, a group kitchen with a eating area and a wraparound balcony. The second flooring homes the dormitory for artists who visit NORTH for residencies, which may be occupied by up to eight folks. There’s additionally one room on the bottom flooring for everlasting workforce members. Most (*5*) who visit NORTH join an off-road journey led by Bhushan to the neighbouring village of Chachogi. There, he leads them by way of the historical past and structure of the hamlet. Doubles from Rs12,680. — Geetika Sachdev