I am what you call an architecture and design enthusiast. I just love gazing at beautifully designed buildings. I can spend hours scrolling through social media, searching for photos of aesthetically pleasing interiors and architecture. Every hotel or homestay I stay at has to have distinctive architecture. In addition to service and experience, I always book properties that are eye-catching.?
Looking at the large following that home decor and architecture pages on social media have, it¡¯s evident that I¡¯m not alone and that people are a lot more conscious of design, even when they travel. Additionally, people also want to have aesthetically pleasing photos on their Instagram grids. These factors have led hoteliers and homestay owners to pay special attention to architecture and design.
If you¡¯re like me and love to be surrounded by elegant design, you¡¯re in the right place. Here¡¯s a guide to the 7 best design-forward Indian homestays and boutique hotels. Save this guide for your next getaway!?
This boutique hotel is situated in a quiet corner of Dolphin Bay in Goa. Ahilya by the Sea features three villas and an infinity pool overlooking a serene beach. This nine-key, visually arresting property was conceptualised by former owner Leela Ellis in collaboration with leading designer Isla Maria ¡®Loulou¡¯ van Damme. The hand-cut red laterite stone villas showcase Portuguese architecture and house furnishings and objets d¡¯art sourced from Ellis¡¯ travels around the world. The property is currently owned by the Holkar royal family, and it offers personalised experiences to ensure guests have an unforgettable time. Ahilya by the Sea¡¯s wellness sessions, such as yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic treatments, are well-loved.?
Price:??31,000 onwards
A Relais & Ch?teaux member, this boutique hotel is renowned for offering guests a glamping experience on a 100-acre private estate. Situated an hour from Jaisalmer, the property is encompassed by desert wilderness. The design aesthetic of SUJ?N The Serai is reminiscent of the age-old royal caravan sites of the Rajputs. It is home to 14 tented suites, of which six suites have private gardens and plunge pools. Furthermore, the hotel also houses an outdoor pool, which is evocative of traditional Indian step-wells, and four spa treatment tents set amidst a well-landscaped garden. Guests can go on desert treks, bird-watching excursions, and camel safaris. The hotel also hosts cooking classes, craft workshops, and musical performances. Additionally, SUJ?N The Serai¡¯s expert culinary team serves local delicacies and European dishes crafted using fresh ingredients.?
Price:??69,000 onwards
Conceptualised by celebrity-favourite interior designer Shabnam Gupta, Peacock Life Living is a rural homestay in Karjat, a two-hour drive from Mumbai. The standout elements of this three-bedroom homestay include its seamless indoor-outdoor living experience and its vibrant, mural-painted walls. The arresting murals exhibit whimsical nature-inspired scenes, featuring clouds, bougainvillaea trees, peacocks, tigers, and palm trees.
¡°The idea was to create a little cocoon where one could hibernate, ideate, and create. The location chosen for this crucible for creativity more than lived up to expectations¡ªin the heart of nature, far from the madding crowd, and complete with a pond, a lake, and a stream within the property. We visualised a space where the outdoors seamlessly merge with the indoors, and you get a feeling of being one with nature,¡± said Shabnam Gupta.
Price:??8,500 onwards
As its name implies, House on the Slope is a cosy homestay perched on the slopes of the foothills of the Himalayas. About 50 kilometres from the town of Mukteshwar, this two-bedroom villa provides visitors with a unique living experience in the lap of nature. The homestay¡¯s highlight is a glass skylight that offers panoramic views of the snow-capped Trishul and Nanda Devi peaks.
¡°House on the Slope features a glass skylight that extends all along the roof to the central living area, making way for sunlight to flood the interiors of the house. A floor-to-ceiling front wall then merges with the skylight to offer awe-inspiring views that tell a dramatic story¡ªthat of the invincible snow-covered Himalayas and the slow-paced mountain life,¡± added Ishank Ahuja, Co-Founder of Hushstays.
Price:??14,000 onwards
Located on the outskirts of Jaipur, Savista Retreat is a boutique heritage hotel. A restored Rajput haveli, the property offers 12 quaint guest rooms adorned with Rajasthani textiles and crafts. Visitors can unwind in the outdoor pool, relax in the wellness centre with yoga and spa treatments, or engage in activities such as cycling, bird-watching, and cooking classes.
¡°Savista¡¯s design aesthetic reflects the resplendent heritage of Rajput¡ªand partially Mughal¡ªarchitectural design. The highlights include the central courtyard, the canopies on the roof, and the balconies with their gently scalloped arches. When it was restored, its integrity in this regard was maintained. The interiors, however, were redesigned to be comfortable and modern, with plenty of natural light and air. In its present form, it seems to evoke¡ªto the modern eye¡ªshades of ¡®Bauhaus¡¯ architecture: clear lines, straight edges, smooth facades, Indian-style pavilions, an absence of superfluous features, and a lightness and airiness that together produce a simple but powerful effect,¡± added Dr. Rishyasringa, owner of Savista Retreat, Jaipur.
Price:??12,000 onwards
Located inside the Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, this five-acre mountain retreat is well-known for its distinctive location, quaint interiors, and thoughtful hospitality. Built in the 19th century, Mary Budden Estate houses three villas, which are a contemporary take on colonial cottages with logwood fireplaces and stone patios. The interiors have rustic yet comfortable antique furnishings and one-of-a-kind decor pieces. Additionally, the property is encompassed by beautiful gardens and a verdant natural landscape. Guests can partake in guided hikes, garden lunches, and bird-watching excursions. This property is a celebrity favourite and has hosted several celebrities, including Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Dia Mirza, and Ishaan Khatter.?
Price:??30,000 onwards
Exhibiting striking colonial architecture, this heritage bungalow is a four-bedroom homestay in Lonavala. The restored villa¡¯s interiors feature expansive rooms and verandahs with mosaic flooring, antique furniture, gorgeous chandeliers and exquisite decor accessories. In addition, the bungalow is encompassed by a sprawling garden, complete with water features and outdoor seating. The property has an in-house chef who crafts delicious food using the freshest local produce. Guests can choose dishes that include local delicacies and global comfort food. Travel back in time at this charming bungalow in the hills!?