Best resorts near Mumbai
To spot a Friday or a Monday as a public holiday that gives a much deserved long weekend feels like an unparalleled joy to me. Long weekends, however, can come with their own set of challenges of finding a place that is usually sold out long before you book.
Here’s a candid guide to some comfortable-but-not-too-expensive resorts near Mumbai for you to consider and book up-ahead.
These are curated bearing in mind that all of us seek a different kind of holiday. For some, the idea of just chilling by the pool with a book is good, while for some, the need for sunshine, wind and the sea is important, some want a lot of activity while some others seek undulated nature in its purest form. Happy planning!
Also read: Weekend getaways from Delhi: Escape to the Hills
Hit the beach – Mango Beach House, Alibaug
Having my feet nestled in the sand with frequent waves kissing them, a gorgeous sunset with a beautiful colour palette in the sky, yummy seafood paired with a chilled beer are good enough reasons for me to go hit the beach time and again!
Mumbai spoils you with options of an amazing coastline that makes it easier to get to a beach than taking a flight to Goa. While you would be spoilt for choices from 5-star hotels to quaint homestays, one of my all-time favourite places to stay at the Mango Beach House at Kihim in Alibaug.
Whether taking a dip in the inviting pool, listening to the birds’ chirp in the garden, getting a spa, or simply sitting on the beach watching the sun slip silently into the glistening sea, Mango Beach House is the place for you to be.
How much: Approximately Rs. 10,000 per day for two with meals and taxes (on a weekend)
Getting there: Driving there can be slightly painful with all the traffic one can face near Pen and can take up to 4 hours. I find it a lot easier to get to the Gateway of India and take a ferry across to Mandwa Jetty in 40 minutes and have the hotel pick you from there.
Pro-tip: Go over to Boardwalk, a Greek-style restaurant at Mandwa Jetty for an unforgettable sundowner!
Contact:
Website: www.mangoalibaug.com
Email: inquiry@mangoalibaug.com
Tel: (91) – 98200 08899
Also read: Luxury resorts near Bangalore: Perfect for a family weekend getaway
Go wine tasting – Soma Vine Village, Nashik
What if I told you that your ‘Napa Valley’ getaway lookalike is actually just a 3 hours drive from Mumbai?
Yes, our very own wine capital of India, Nashik, is home to many wineries and some good vineyard stays.
One of my all-time favourites is the Soma Vine Village. This 30 room property ensures you get your fix of a view of the vineyards from your room along with an infinity pool and a lake in the distance. Chill by the pool, cycle along the lake, go wine tasting, eat some gourmet food in their restaurant and enjoy their vino-spa!
How much: Approximately Rs. 10,000 per day for two with meals and taxes (on a weekend)
Getting there: Driving will get you there in about 3.5hours using the NH3 Highway. Alternatively, you may choose the scenic train journey up to Nashik and have the resort pick you up. There are plenty of buses that ply regularly between Mumbai-Nashik too.
Pro-tip: Go over to Sula vineyards for a food and wine tasting trail!
Contact:
Website: www.somavinevillage.com
Email: info@somavinevillage.com
Tel: (91) – 70280 66016
Stay in a Fort – Fort Jadhavgadh, Pune
Let me introduce you to Fort Jadhavgadh – a Maratha fort which is now converted into a luxury heritage hotel. What is most striking about this place is that a lot of elements from the old fort are still intact – many original fort walls and a demanding fort staircase to name a few.
They still maintain the closing and opening of gate ceremony, like it was done in old times and give you a royal welcome when you check-in.
I would recommend choosing the rooms or suites in the main Fort which are not only luxurious but also have the original openings through which guns and canons were fired.
While staying here, you could take the bullock cart ride to the village or take the fort tour to discover different rooms, the restored artefacts, the museum, the underground tunnels, dungeons and learn about the history of the fort. Relax, take a dip in the pool, get pampered at the spa or just order sumptuous food at their multiple restaurants.
How much: Approximately INR 10,000 – 18,000 per day for two with breakfast and taxes (on a weekend, depending on the room/ suite type chosen)
Getting there: Driving will get you there in about 3.5hours using the Mumbai-Pune Expressway and the NH4. Alternatively, you may choose to reach Pune on a bus or a train and have the hotel pick you
Pro-tip: One morning, make your way to Lake Mastani where Bajirao and Mastani are known to have met secretly and discover the secret passage too!
Contact:
Website: www.fortjadhavgadh.com
Email: res@fortjadhavgadh.com
Tel: (91) – 99875 73818
Headed to Rajasthan? Check out – Suryagarh: reason enough to visit Jaisalmer.
Stay in a tree house – The Machan, Lonavala
The Machan in Lonavala offers stunning and luxurious tree houses amidst a stunning fairy-tale like woody nature trails. This is the break you want to take when you want to be cut off from phone network, internet, wifi and TV.
Surrender yourself to soothing sounds and sights of nature, as far as the eye can see.
The wood cabins at this property are perched high above the ground, with a spiral staircase taking you to your machan (tree house). The interiors of every single machan are done tastefully and give an amazing sense of space. The open wooden decks are by far my favourite part of the machan for that endless gazing into the night sky.
Another highlight is the addition of a self-standing bath-tub as well as open-to-nature showers in most of the tree-houses. Opt from the canopy, forest, jungle or sunset machan and you won’t be disappointed! The food is locally cooked, simple but delicious!
How much: Approximately INR 20,000/- per day for two with meals and taxes (on a weekend)
Getting there: Driving will get you there in about 3hours using the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The last patch of 5kms after ‘Cloud 9’ is bumpy, but absolutely worth it once you get there
Pro-tip: Explore one of their nature trails or discover a secret trail.
Contact:
Website: www.themachan.com
Email: reservations@themachan.com
Tel: (91) – 76666 22426
Also, read: National Parks in India: Wildlife for the heart, silence for the mind, peace for the soul
This is a guest post by Ruchi Khemka. Ruchi is a busy corporate executive through the week and a busier traveller on the weekends. An adventure junkie, an amateur photographer, a foodie and a hopeless enthusiast – you can find more of her travel tales at ruchikhemkatraveldiaries. Connect with Ruchi on Facebook.
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Which is your favourite weekend getaway from Mumbai? Share in comments below.
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These are some really alluring getaways to leave the mechanical monotony of Mumbai far behind. The best for me is the fort hotel in Pune. It would be thrilling to actually stay in a fort. The other one that I would love to head to is Machan-The tree house. Would love to sleep like the birds and wake up on a tree!
Machan is quite nice, we visited this March, but I am told that to experience magic, you have to go there in the monsoons.
Good collection. Matheran could be another consideration I guess, though it gets crowded
Matheran is lovely. There are so many other options in and around Mumbai.