1 In Conversation With Sonu Shivdasani, Founder And CEO Of Soneva Group Of Hotels

2 The Tamara Kodai: Fresh Off The Hills

3 Beautiful Sunsets, Indulgent Spas Await You At The Luxurious Four Seasons Resorts In Maldives

4 Courtyard by Marriott Aravali Resort Is A Tranquil Delight

5 Discover Goa’s Best-Kept Secret: The Postcard Hideaway Netravali

6 Luxury Properties For When You Want To Escape The Chaos Of City Life

- Bye bye city lights

Mansi Shah

August 17, 2022

This morning, I waded to office, struggling under a single umbrella with a colleague who had forgotten hers at work. This, on one of the wettest days in the city. As I jumped over puddles and sidestepped deflated balloons in the colours of the tricolour, I would have given anything to escape the chaos. To go to a place where the din of horns and trains shuttling is replaced by the gentle chirrups of birds and silence of gently swaying trees. The next long weekend is just around the corner and we have curated a list of luxury properties that are perfect for when you’re looking to detox and get away.

Luxury Properties To Have On Your Radar

1. Ahilya By The Sea, Goa

If you’ve watched Gehraiyaan, you’ve seen Ahilya By The Sea. The place was the gorgeous place the four gorgeous people hang out in. One of Goa’s hidden gems, Ahilya is one of those luxury properties that you don’t want to check out from. There’s a gentle energy to this place, nestled in lush greenery and flanked by coconut trees. Each of the rooms looks out to the sea. The rooms are cozy, peppered with artefacts and carefully curated art pieces. The property features two pools, a bar and plenty of food options even the most discerning gastronomy enthusiast will appreciate. Time slows down at Ahilya, you have nary a worry and the world seems far away. You can enjoy leisurely walks around the property, sip on cocktails by the pool and if you wish to party, it’s not too far from Goa’s partying hot spots.

2. Alila Fort Bishangarh, Rajasthan

Walking into Alila Fort is like walking into a historical set up. The property offers spectacular views of forts, so your evenings can be spent feeling like royalty. Alila Fort fully intends to spoil you with its ambience, like you’ve stepped back in time. The rooms comes furnished with curated pieces, each carefully selected to add create a vibe. Guests can enjoy a continental breakfast, then clamber on to a cycle and discover the architectural gems featuring rich Mughal and Rajput influences. If you want to curl up with a book, there is a library with stunning views and comfy nooks that you can spend hours in. You can also tuck into local delicacies or treat your palate to the international lunch and dinner menus.

3. Soneva Fushi, Maldives

It’s not often that you get to wriggle your toes into the sands of a beach that is located in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Soneva Fushi on Baa Atoll boasts of this unique title, one that sets it apart from all the resorts in the area. While most resorts in the Maldives require seaplane rides, Soneva Fushi is perhaps one of the few luxury properties that also offers the option to zip around the ocean in a two-bedroom yacht called Soneva in Aqua. The experience for guests here are hardly ordinary. The Barefoot Butler is an intuitive service provided by the resort which aims at recognising a guests’ need even before they probably make a demand of them. There’s an open air cinema, an observatory for astronomy enthusiasts, 500 different types of wines to choose from and entire ice cream rooms which I imagine makes everyone feel like kids in candy land.

4. Taj Bekal

The backwaters are calling and it’s time to head to Kerala. Shut your laptop, plug in your headphones and head to the comforting silence on offer at Taj Bekal. There are private plunge pools on offer and if nothing else has convinced you, this should. The little details are paid attention to here, Kerala’s famous palm leaf drawings occupy a place of pride and recreated on tussar silk. Taj Bekal is one of those properties where wandering is recommended, even encouraged. The sprawling verdant lawns are inviting and if you want to truly relax, you can indulge in one of their therapies at the Jiva Spa.

5. Suryagarh Jaisalmer

You inner royal will enjoy getting spoiled at Suryagarh Jaisalmer. The interiors here will like taking a walk through history. Strong pillars in colours of the desert feature prominently here. The beds are luxurious, the ambience is opulent. Besides the suites, Suryagarh also has havelis, like a palace you can live in as you escape the chaos of city life. The deserts expanses are glorious, punctuated by the blues of the swimming pools that you can take a dip in to cool off, chased by cocktails in their many venues with spectacular views all around.

6. The Bale, Bali

This is truly an escape into privacy. The Bale Bali has a no children policy and luxury is at its core. There are only 29 pool villas, so time alone is given. This is the kind of luxury property you want to visit to reconnect with a partner. Escape the rigmarole of commutes and jams and head to the green vistas of The Bale. You can try your hand at a Balinese cooking class, work up a sweat at the gym and enjoy a romantic evening with a dinner set up just for the two of you. Of course, treating yourself to a couple’s massage is always an option.

To read about monsoon getaways, click here.