5 luxury lodges and cottages across India for your partner and you to reconnect with each other

Oh to live amid nature and in the lap of luxury!

Who doesn't like a romantic, luxurious holiday? Especially when you have been caught up in the mundane routine and have had very little to no time for yourself or your partner. When the 'just getting by' gets to you both, it's time to hit pause, unwind yourselves, and breathe life back into your relationship. We bring to you a curated list of five retreats across India, where you can 'just be' amidst nature, with each other, and in the lap of luxury. 

Evolve Back Kuruba Safari Lodge, Kabini, Karnataka

The Evolve Back Kuruba Safari Lodge is a picturesque resort of sweeping panoramic vistas, inspired in design by the Hadis or tribal villages, and bordered on two sides by the Kabini River. The scenic retreat lends a luxurious holiday experience with tastefully-designed interior spaces, a temperature-controlled private pool, and a ‘star bed’ to enjoy the cosmic glow of the night sky.

If you’ve been waiting to finish a book, now is the time. Sit back at the reading lounge at the property, while sipping on steaming cups of cappuccino brewed from Sidapur, the signature house brand. If you want to just relax, take a dip in the infinity pool, or rejuvenate at the Ayurvedic spa, where India’s ancient healing secrets are put to work.

Fine dining at its best, relish kebabs at the Kuruba Grill restaurant, savour scrumptious international and regional cuisines at the Honey Comb, and watch the sun set over the Kabini River on a one-of-a-kind boat dining cruise with the love of your life.

The exploratory activities offered by the lodge have been designed to help you reconnect with the environment. While a guided nature walk is one of the best ways to observe the treasures of the land, a jeep safari to the Nagarhole National Park allows you to come face-to-face with a range of wildlife including the chital, sambar, gaur, tiger, leopard, and more. Witnessing the largest congregation of Asian elephants in the world—during the summer months—the wildlife reserve is a must-visit. Another interesting activity to look forward to is the troupe of Kuruba tribal dancers who perform their traditional dance around a campfire, every alternate night.

Barefoot at Havelock, Andaman Island

Escape from the grind of daily life at the eco-friendly property Barefoot at Havelock Resort, tucked away on Radhanagar Beach in the Andaman Island. Spanning seven acres, the lodge is nestled in the midst of the tropical rainforest with a wide variety of flora and fauna, and crystal clear waters.

Away from the hustle-bustle of city life, you can unwind in wooden tents, cottages, or villas, constructed using environmentally-sensitive materials, and inspired by wooden architecture from the British era. Enjoy scrumptious meals at the Swimming Elephant restaurant, prepared using fresh local produce. In the evening, let the waves of the sea croon you as you enjoy a candlelit dinner under the starlit sky on the beach.

For the adventurous couple, the property can arrange a bird trail where you can spot the white throat kingfisher, Andaman serpent eagle, golden oriole, and Andaman woodpecker. But a visit to the Andaman Island is incomplete without testing the turquoise waters. Make sure to try kayaking, stand-up paddling, bodyboarding, snorkelling, scuba diving, game fishing, and a lot more.

Diphlu River Lodge, Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Perched on the periphery of Kaziranga National Park, Diphlu River Lodge is the ideal getaway for the nature-loving pair. The 12 eco-friendly cottages—made from natural materials such as bamboo and wood—can accommodate up to 24 guests, and come well-equipped with a spacious seating area and a luxurious bathroom ensuite.

Each individual cottage, either river-facing or paddy-facing, has a wide, folding glass door that opens onto a verandah with cane chairs. In fact, the serenity and tranquility of the retreat even attracted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the property.

At the Diphlu River Lodge, witness the wilderness up-close by hopping aboard a jeep safari to Kaziranga, to catch a glimpse of the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceros’ and the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. You could also splash around in the Diphlu River while personally bathing the Indian elephant, or sail on the mighty Brahmaputra followed by a picnic lunch at the beach.

When not traversing the waters and the national park, get acquainted with the local Assamese culture via native dance performances around a bonfire, or pay a visit to the nearby village to get a glimpse into the lives of three different tribes in the area, Bodo, Mising, and Karbi. And, of course, if you’re a ‘chai’ lover, don’t forget to stop by the aromatic tea gardens for a hot cuppa.

Ramgarh Lodge, Jaipur

Built in 1920, the 14-room European-style lodge is the former hunting retreat of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II and his wife Maharani Gayatri Devi of Jaipur. With the mighty Aravalli mountain range on the horizon, it is set in the midst of 8,000 acres of farms and meadows around Ramgarh Lake—once India’s largest man-made lake.

The Ramgarh Lodge was designed by Charles Geoffrey Blomfield—a pioneer of Indo-Saracenic architecture—and it showcases a unique blend of contemporary design with old-world charm...the room interiors are designed in Art Deco style, comfortable and spacious, and seeped in luxury.

The IHCL SeleQtions property is located 30 kms from the Pink City, and offers a range of activities for adventure enthusiasts. Play a game of table tennis, badminton, or billiard with your partner, or step into the expansive outdoor pool. For those of you who wish to explore, consider going for a scenic nature walk, hike, some bird watching, or pay a visit to India’s most-haunted historical spot, Bhangarh Fort.

Jim's Jungle Retreat, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand

Jim’s Jungle Retreat is a wildlife lodge in Corbett Tiger Reserve, nestled between the Himalayan foothills in the north and the ancient Sivaliks in the south. With 18 cottages spanning 15 acres of replanted forest, the interiors reflect the area’s Raj-era legacy, and that of the pastoral tribes of the Van Gujjars.

Century-old lithographs and plates of Indian wildlife frame the walls, and luxuriant fabrics and fine linen promise a comfortable stay. When you’re not relaxing at the chemical-free spa or pool, hop on a jeep safari and wander deep into the Corbett National Park to witness animal encounters with the Asiatic black bear, hog deer, otters, fish-eating crocodile, and other species. And if you’re looking to go the extra mile, the lodge recommends an overnight stay at the forest reserve, right in the lap of nature (with prior intimation).

You could also bicycle through the plantation forests to nearby villages, to learn about the culture and lifestyle of the indigenous Gujjar people. Later, sit down to enjoy the local cuisine with the village folk. It’s a promise, you’ll leave feeling refreshed.

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