Where to stay
15
Ri kynjai shillong
There’s nothing more romantic than a monsoon break in idyllic natural surroundings— which is why Ri Kynjai is the perfect honeymoon spot. Located in the CherrapunjeeMawsynram district—one of the world’s rainiest areas—the resort has been designed in Khasi style, with upturned boat-shaped roofs to shrug off excess water. The pinepanelled rooms have balconies overlooking the serene Umiam Lake. There’s more to do here than just relaxing at the in-house Khem Janai spa; go trekking in the khasi hills, play a round of golf at the shillong Golf Course, or head to laitkynsew (80km away), and spend an afternoon walking across its living tree-root bridges. (www.rikynjai.com) Doubles from 6,500
16
Moksha hiMalaya spa ResoRt parwanoo, himachal pradesh
This is an all-out spa retreat, where time seems elastic as you spend your days indulging in aromatherapy massages or doing yoga and meditation in the pavilions. At night, sit in the firelit Infinity Pool-bar & Pavilion with a bottle of wine and gaze up at the sparkling Himalayan sky or the illuminated city of Chandigarh far below. (Parwanoo is only half an hour from Chandigarh.) An added bonus: all suites here are decked out in classic wooden furniture and come with private terraces and extra-large bathtubs. (www. mokshaspa.com) Doubles from 15,000
Ri Kynjai, Shillong. Below: An outdoor seating area at Wildflower Hall, Himachal Pradesh
The long drive to Kabinakkad Estate, 260km from Bengaluru, sets the tone for the languorous agenda ahead. You’ll find no dramatic elements en route here; just gently curving roads and blossom-scented air that lead you to 170 acres of pristine, private space. Set among lush coffee plantations, the cottages on stilts seem to float above the misty Kodagu valley. Appointed with every luxurious amenity, each suite is designed for uninterrupted together time. Wake up in the morning to a ripe-peach sky blushing under the mountains. Then snuggle in bed with a cup of coffee or let the panoramic sundeck seduce you to step out. The Tamara delivers the luxury that cityslickers are always longing for: solitude à deux. (www.thetamara. com) Doubles from 11,000
17
the taMaRa Coorg
18
WildfloWeR hall himachal pradesh
Wake up to the sweet smell of pine and cedar wafting through your suite, as the Himalayan monal chirps softly outside your window. Situated on a forested cliff, this refurbished colonial structure overlooks the snowcapped Pir Panjal range on one side and the mountains of Nanda Devi on the other. It’s one of those entirely romantic spots you can’t help falling for, where the suites come with four-poster beds, teakwood flooring and cosy fireplaces. There’s an indoor heated pool and an outdoor jacuzzi with jawdropping views of cedar forests and the Himalayas beyond it. And if all that wasn’t enough, it also houses the Oberoi spa—a winner of the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards in 2010. (www.oberoihotels.com) Doubles from 26,000
82 Condé Nast Traveller June-July 2013
photographs: Tom parker