Twinkling lights, Christmas trees, and candy canes – it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas (and New Year) and we are here for it. While we still are in the midst of a global pandemic, you can still spend some time with your loved ones, and have a fun and safe vacation.
The pandemic has changed our NYE plans, but you can still opt for a staycation; one that is perfectly safe, and offers a whole lot of good food, memorable experiences and great deals. We’ve found some interesting staycations put together by The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, in various parts of the country. These can make for great vacation spots for you and your family to ring in 2021! And if you are worried about your safety, the hotel chain is taking all the necessary precautions recommended by the World Health Organisation and following the Ministry of Tourism guidelines, to enhance hygiene and safety standards.
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Located merely 600 metres from the Taj Mahal, The Oberoi Amarvilas is a tribute to the legacy of Mughal architecture. For New Year’s Eve, you can indulge in a gala dinner at Bellevue, which offers a wide array of world cuisine; Indian, Asian and Western preparations, accompanied by live music from a two-piece band. You can also choose to dine privately by the poolside, or a private balcony dinner complete with candlelit ambience and the silhouette of the Taj Mahal; the perfect setting to for a romantic dinner or a party with loved ones.
The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur
The Oberoi Rajvilas lets you experience the princely Rajasthan with luxury villas and royal tents in a fort-like setting. On New Year’s Eve, witness a royal Rajasthani ceremonial welcome. The evening will be a gastronomic feast featuring an array of Indian and international favourites. Live Rajasthani folk music, traditional dance performances and toe-tapping music from a DJ will keep you entertained. If you are looking for something more intimate, opt for the poolside dinner by the light of mashaal torches, with the view of the ancient haveli and a scrumptious Rajasthani thali for company.
The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Located on the banks of Lake Pichola, The Oberoi Udaivilas recreates the nostalgia of royal romance; the perfect venue to usher in the New Year. The menu for the evening is an exciting mélange of Indian and western cuisines, served under starry skies, to the beats of traditional Indian dance performances and upbeat DJ music. And if you are looking for a great way to welcome 2021, you can opt for a sunrise boat ride, and experience Udaipur at its peaceful best.
The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, Ranthambhore
The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort is a luxury jungle resort located adjacent to Ranthambhore National Park. New Year’s Eve is celebrated with an array of regional Indian and international cuisines served in the main dining room and starlit inner courtyard, around a glowing bonfire. You can also celebrate the last sunset of the year from the top of the private observation tower.
The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, New Chandigarh
Against a backdrop of 8,000 acres of the Siswan Forest Range at the foothills of the Himalayas, The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort presents the perfect environs to switch off and relax. Listed as ‘One of the World’s Greatest Places’ by TIME Magazine in 2018, ring in the New Year with an elaborate array of world cuisine, and jazz up your celebrations with music from a live band and DJ. If you wish to relax before the big celebration, The Oberoi Sukhvilas is the perfect place. You get to experience the calming, neurologically beneficial therapy of forest bathing or “taking in the forest atmosphere”. Step inside the Siswan Forest, breathe deeply, allow yourself to switch off from the world.
Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas – An Oberoi Resort
The former residence of Lord Kitchener, Wildflower Hall exudes the ambience of a grand stately home. Framed by cedar forests and towering over Shimla at 8,250 feet above sea level, it provides a unique opportunity to lose yourself in the romance of nature. Enjoy a sumptuous New Year’s Eve dinner buffet, featuring an extensive selection of Indian and western gourmet delicacies, surrounded by a four-piece live band. You can also opt for a private nature walk, and an Oberoi picnic hamper on the grounds of The Peak; a bungalow that dates back to 1863, perched on a hilltop and nestled amongst ten acres of terraced apple orchards.
The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla
A heritage grand hotel, the surrounding valley making it a perfect place for a family vacation. Culinary highlights at the hotel include a wide range of fine international, pan-Indian and local Himachali dishes with panoramic views of the mountains, cedar-covered valley. You can also treat yourself to a relaxing walk in the woods, in the village of Annadale, where you will descend through rhododendron and cedar forests into the Glen, for a picnic lunch beside a stream.
So go on, book the perfect NYE experience right away!
Photographs: Courtesy of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
