Kumaon Village Houses
The Village Houses have been renovated to make them cosy and comfortable yet to keep their simple charm and the experience of living in a Himalayan village house.
Each house has wooden beds with comfortable mattresses and linen, a bedside table, local chettai matted floor and some hooks on which to hang clothes.
Bathrooms are outside, with western toilets and the adjoining shower rooms have slate tiles and showers are taken using brass buckets and mugs filled with hot water that our staff have boiled for you.
There are small living/dining rooms for the few weeks of the year when it is too cold to have dinner outside and partially covered outdoor eating areas where you can enjoy your dinner under the stars with a fire to keep you warm.
Why We Love It
Because this is a true and rare insight into a genuine Indian way of life, but as a result it is very important to remember that a stay in the village houses is as a guest of the local people and therefore the host's traditions and customs must be respected.
360 Leti
The accommodation at 360 Leti consists of large en-suite cottages which can be configured to have twin or double beds.
The beds have extremely comfortable mattresses and the finest Indian linen. All the furniture is custom made from Burma teak and each room has a wood burning stove for the winter months.
The bathrooms have brass and Burma teak fittings with an overhead shower and outdoor garden. Each cottage has its own private sit-out with two sun loungers.
There is a communal indoor living/dining area and several outdoor dining options, with floor to ceiling glass enabling enjoyment of the views at all times.
Why We Love It
Forget your mobile, leave your laptop behind; this is seclusion as it should be; nothing but sweeping panoramic views (hence the name) and five hours' drive between you and the nearest town; Almora.
Ananda in the Himalayas
High in the Himalayan foothills, Ananda is India's only true destination spa, consistently winning awards which makes it one of the best spas in the country, if not the world.
With stunning panoramic views over the valley or the resort grounds, the 75 rooms and suites have been beautifully decorated in soft colours and each opens onto a large balcony where guests can choose to dine in private. There are also three new villas scattered around the grounds, which feature a private heated swimming pool, sauna and butler service.
The multi award winning spa offers countless beauty and body treatments, combining traditional Indian Ayurveda techniques with more modern Western ones. This is no body boot camp though - guests can choose to use the spa as they like, whether for a full detox programme or the occasional pampering treatment.
The Indian, Asian and Western cuisine is superb, and meals can be personalised according to your spa doctor's recommendations - but there's always plenty of chocolate for the odd treat!
While the spa might be Ananda's main draw, there are lots of other activities on offer, including yoga, golf and cooking classes, or slightly further from the confines of the resort guests can enjoy white water rafting, trekking to the Kunjapuri Temple or a visit to the Rajaji National Park.
Why We Love It
Fresh cotton Kurta Pyjamas are delivered to your room daily and are perfect for wearing around the grounds.