If you’re looking at this list, chances are you’ve not made your plans yet. For the indecisive, we’ve got you covered with our top recommendations for the impending long weekend.
Fazlani Natures Nest, Maharashtra
Long weekends are as apt for a detox as they are for bingeing. So, if you spent the last long weekend partying it up, this wellness retreat might be the best choice this time around. Takwe, Maharashtra, hosts Fazlani Natures Nest, a luxury retreat that offers holistic and wellness treatments meant for those who would like to take some time off to reset. While they have extensive programs meant for specific treatments, their Relaxation Program, spanning three nights, acts as an ideal break from everyday chaos. Take a nature trail walk, or a tour of their organic garden, at the end of which you can pick your own vegetables and fruits to make a salad or any other healthy and tasty fixing. Indulge in activities like horse riding, kayaking, pottery, or just take some downtime in their luxurious suites with your books. Bliss, indeed.
Six Senses Fort Barwara, Rajasthan
The #VicKat wedding might have been its point of popularity, but Six Senses Fort Barwara is more than just a fabulous wedding destination. Delhiites, this is the ideal long weekend getaway for you. Standing strong as a 700-year-old fort on the majestic Aravallis, this property is luxury, royalty, and relaxation, all in one. Two original palaces and two resorts are retained by the property, while a bar, a lounge, and a 3,000 sq. feet spa have been added to modernise the royal offering. Lunch in the open with a farm-to-fork gourmet experience at their all-day diner, dine with live traditional music that will give you the most Rajasthani welcome, and enjoy their personalised spa programmes. Nothing too activity-oriented, just a royal breather. Sounds like the perfect spot for some romantic reconnection.
Noor Mahal, Karnal
Lavish is the one word you can use to describe Noor Mahal Palace hotel in Karnal. Literally a short drive away from Delhi and some cities of Punjab, as well as Haryana, a spacious palace with noteworthy architecture, hand painted walls and ceilings welcome you to take you to its royal chambers, where you can rest your exhausted city souls. Noor Mahal Karnal lets you enjoy the outdoors, the spa table, and lounging in your room, equally. For the restless, obsessed with productivity, there are indoor games as well as sports, which includes lawn tennis, basketball, cricket and more. They also have rural experiences that you can opt for, as well as a cycling facility to roam around the city. And for those of you who want to stay in and staycay, indulge in the spa, dine at their award-winning restaurants, grab a few cocktails at The Polo Bar, and destress.
Mary Budden Estate, Uttarakhand
My first taste of Binsar’s best kept secret that is not-so-secret anymore was before celebs made it a popular getaway. In Binsar, at an altitude of 2,420 meters, stands this uber luxury boutique hotel spread over five acres of land. The property focuses on sustainability and local sourcing, and is so deep inside the sanctuary that it provides all its experiences right there without you having to go out and explore, thus making it an apt short-stay destination. A mix of luxurious cottages and rooms, the idea of a stay here is to disconnect from chaos, and fuel a sense of self-connect for solo travellers and bonding time for those in groups. From indulging in meals with a view that overlooks some of the highest mountains to curated experiences, MBE ensures you’ve enough to do, and it’s not what you’d do in city life. Early risers can go for the Darwin’s Walk, which is an exploration inspired by Darwin’s walk of light and shadow that defined his famous theory of evolution. Another interesting trek is to a nearby village, where they will set up a traditional Kumaoni lunch for you. If you’re a sit-by-the-fireplace person, they do a bonfire in the evening with some chargrilled snacks and coffee. If solitude is your idea of a good time, this is it.
Mekosha, Kerala
Mekosha is more than just a ‘getaway’, it’s a retreat in the truest sense for anyone who wants to prioritise their health (if after two years of a pandemic that’s not you, I don’t know what to tell you) and practice wellness. They are all about combining luxury with responsibly administering what you need — locally sourced ingredients, whole foods, the idea is to make your vacay mindful. Their packages include some that have no minimum stay requirement and will be ideal for those who want to try their hand at Ayurvedic cooking, or meditate and practice yoga, to some intense programs meant for losing weight or deeper treatments, which need a minimum stay of a week. Try it out for the weekend, and it might be where you take that much needed sabbatical, I opine.
