Showing posts with label Family Holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Holiday. Show all posts
The Holiday Edit 2016 | Exploring The Best Boutique Hotels and Resorts in India
Who doesn’t love a chilled out holiday? Well, all of us do. Especially during the holiday season. Travel enthusiasts don’t need a reason anyway, as they are open to planning trips during anytime of the year. While luxury hotels, apartments or even a local stay usually tops a traveller’s list during the planning period (depending on one’s budget and preference), personally, we are huge fans of exquisite boutique hotels and resorts in India.
Every state, city and village in the country has so much to offer. Be it tourist attractions, culture, food and crafts; there is something unique that state has to offer. Similarly, boutique hotels in these states also have a USP ranging from breathtaking views to luxurious rooms and delicious food. In this feature, we round up a list of our favourite boutique hotels and resorts in India. Get set to pack your bags already, fellas!
Tamara Resort, Coorg
Nestled amidst pristine valleys, spice estates and the gorgeous Western Ghats, Tamara Resort is perfect for those who are looking to unwind, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. With 44 luxury cottages and 8 suite cottages (the latter houses a private jacuzzi facing the Western Ghats), Tamara Resort makes for a luxurious getaway. The resort also offers exclusive Spa Therapies, leisure and recreation activities. One can also opt for a nature walk or the popular Rudraksha Trail The resort is surrounded by several valleys and waterfalls, which makes for a breathtaking view.
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| Tamara Resort, Coorg |
Best Time to Visit: November to April
Golkonda Resorts and Spa, Hyderabad
Housed in a princely guest house built in 1917 by the last Nizam of Hyderabad, the Golkonda Resorts and Spa offers luxurious facilities at a decent budget. Despite being in the heart of the financial centre and just a little off the expressway, one cannot escape the tranquil ambience of the resort. While Garden Villas come with balconies that provide a stunning view, our favourite has to be the spacious double storey Duplex Villa, that comes with a private lawn. Who else fancies a cuppa with your loved one, while watching the setting sun? For anyone whose middle name spells Luxury, go for the Pool Villa, that comes with an exclusive Pool and butler at your service all day. The resort also has an activity area, several dining options, and a spa - salon. Easily one of the best resorts in Hyderabad.
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| Image credit: Golkonda Resorts and Spa |
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Acron Waterfront Resort, Goa
A luxury boutique resort (part of the renowned ITC group of hotels), Acron Waterfront Resort is a haven for lovers of luxury in Goa. Situated next to the Baga bridge, with the Baga beach on right and the beautiful, serene Baga river in front of the property, Acron Waterfront Resort is a 29 room boutique hotel with amenities that can give any luxury hotel a run for their money. Despite the fact that this property is located right in the middle of all the buzz and happening hot-spots, the moment you enter the resort, you are transported into a quiet and calm world. A secluded place of your own, complete with an infinity pool, spa, lounge and gym area and a restaurant by Cyrus Todiwala, that whips up lip smacking food.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Raas Haveli, Jodhpur
The perfect gateway for History Lovers. At Raas Haveli, Jodhpur’s first boutique hotel, the old world charm meets modern and contemporary times. The resort is housed in an 18th century Haveli, with three new additional buildings, where Jodhpur's red sand-stone unites the new with the old. The resort has 39 rooms, equipped with the best amenities, of which four are suites. What’s beautiful is the fact that almost every room in the hotel enjoys a spectacular view of the Mehrangarh Fort. Raas Haveli has two restaurants, catering to both Indian and International tastebuds.
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| Image credit: Raas Haveli |
Best Time to Visit: October to March
The Glasshouse on the Ganges, Rishikesh
Part of the popular Neemrana Hotels group, The Glasshouse on the Ganges is situated at a stunning location, where the river Ganga turns around and flows north towards its source. Those looking at relaxing in a peaceful environment, look no further. Set in a lychee and mango orchard of the Maharajas of Tehri Garhwal, with a garden of tropical plants, full of rare birds and butterflies. What’s amazing about this resort is the fact that they have a sand beach of their own, unlike the other Rishikesh hotels. Adventurous folks can opt for activities ranging from river rafting, rock climbing, cliff jumping or a trek, while the ones looking for some serenity can indulge in a therapeutic massage at the Anand Kashi spa.
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| Image credit: Neemrana Hotels |
Best Time to Visit: End of September / Early October to mid-November. Later, from Mid-March to first week of May.
Have you been to any of these beautiful boutique hotels and resorts? If yes, let us know your experience in the comment box or join the conversation on Twitter at @priyaadivarekar
Love,
The Dancebee
Fun Never Ends Here | Imagica Theme Park
For students, the start of summer would mean end of exams and a good break from early morning lectures, making notes and running around the college for other activities. Anyone would agree that summer holidays were also the best part of childhood. You could play for hours without worrying about homework, plan vacations with your family and simply relax. I am quite sure many of you have already planned their Summer getaway, or perhaps, just got back from one. But, if you are one of those who does not have the privilege to enjoy a long week off or haven't planned anything yet, Imagica is just the place for you! The fact that it is just 70kms away from Mumbai makes things all the more easy and convenient.
This one amazing place where fun begins and never ends. In fact, you will never have enough of all the rides and interesting activities at the beautiful Imagica theme park. Just off the Mumbai-Pune expressway (near Khopoli), Imagica is one of the best amusement and adventure theme parks in Maharashtra. With a variety of fun rides and attractions dedicated to different age groups, this place has something for everyone. I took a day off and visited Imagica to soak in the sunshine and enjoy their amazing attractions. Right from the stunning sights of India in I for India to re-living the popular Anil Kapoor starrer Mr India in an animated motion simulation form, riding through the eerie corridors of Salimgarh to experiencing the fury of deities in Wrath of the Gods; you get an opportunity to witness state-of-the-art technology, that is at par with International amusement parks. Though, you need to be alert and make a note of their show timings, otherwise you might end up missing some of these attractions (like we did). I still regret missing Alibaba aur Chalis Chor.
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| Attraction: i for India |
Among the thrill-filled rides, our team had a blast going cray in Nitro - one of Imagica's star attractions. While I gave Nitro a miss, I challenged myself to take up Dare 2 Drop, where you shoot to the sky and drop to the ground with force. For someone scared of heights, this was quite an achievement for me (and great fun too). You can clearly see my reaction, when the ride took its first drop. I kept moving my hand to calm down and closed my eyes during the first drop. It looked like I have invited unnecessary trouble, but the moment this ride got over, I realised it was all worth it.
The attractions at Imagica are divided country wise. So, the surroundings, attractions and even restaurants are designed accordingly. Don't miss the Scream Machine, a gigantic rotating pendulum ride, which is certainly not for the faint hearted.
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| Attraction: Scream Machine |
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| Attraction: Wagon-O-Wheel |
They have also got some really adorable rides for kiddies, and guess what? Some of them actually allow adults to sit along with their kids. It was cute to see parents enjoying Tubby Takes Off (a merry-go-round kind of ride) with their toddlers. But our favourite has to be the great variety of family / group rides. Summer holidays are the perfect time for families to bond and have a great time together. The same goes for a group of friends or colleagues. Rides like Rajasaurus and Bump It Boats are cooler when you enjoy it together. Great time to bond and chill in this heat. A special mention for the attendants at all the rides, who ensure everything is safe and secure before you enjoy the ride. Even the in-park security is top notch. The park guides are also very helpful. For the foodies, Imagica has ample of options ranging from diners, authentic indian restaurants, pirate styled café and more. What I really loved was the fact that water stations were available at considerable distance. You didn't have to check the map or go hunting for them. Also, it great to see multiple ice cream stands. What better than a good family ride and some ice cream to beat the heat?
Our only concern were the limited number of rest rooms. We noticed how a few adults and kids ended up feeling nauseous after some rides (which is normal for some, especially in roller coasters). For a theme park which is so well maintained and clean, an individual may feel guilty and embarrassed to simply puke anywhere. So, increasing the number of washrooms near the attractions will help.
With several rides dedicated to every age group, exclusive never before seen attractions, tons of food options and a huge space to hang around, relax and enjoy; Imagica makes for the perfect family holiday destination. Plus, it's proximity to the island city and Pune (read: easy travel, thanks to multiple modes of transport), makes it a convenient option, even if you plan a last minute getaway. Currently, they have got a special Magic show and the newly opened Snow Park up and running. Head to Imagica's official website for more details on pricing and grab some fab discounts while pre-booking your holiday. Clearly, as their new tagline says - Yeh Badi Interesting Jagah Hain.
Read on to know how you can reach Imagica (and get a glimpse of the water park - Aquamagica as well).
Dancebee Verdict
Rides & Attractions: ✮✮✮✮
Food and Snacks: ✮✮✮1/2
Service and Security: ✮✮✮✮
Final Verdict: ✮✮✮✮
Have a fabulous summer holiday, dear readers! Enjoy these special days with your loved ones and have a blast. Don't forget to add us on Snapchat (Account ID: priyaadivarekar) to see what we are up to this summer.
Location: Adlabs Imagica, Khopoli
Photography: Team Dancebee
Love,
The Dancebee
