Category Archives: Hotel Review

Aamod Resort Shoghi: Unwind in the lap of nature

Waking up to the birds chirping, in the private cottage dotted with pine and oak trees, sipping morning tea & handcrafted cookies with sunrise at the cliff, strolling aimlessly among the tranquil trails, spotting Kalka Shimla toy train from various tunnels, mountain climbing, rappelling and endless conversation with staff of Aamod Resort Shoghi are some of the beautiful memories that have etched in our heart forever.

Entrance to Aamod Resort Shoghi

About Aamod Resort Shoghi

The Aamod Resort Shoghi is a Luxurious eco-friendly retreat tucked in between several feet tall pine and oak trees on NH 22. The resort is 16 kilometers before the hustle bustle of Shimla, completely amidst nature.

Aamod Resort Shoghi

We did this trip, along with our winter expedition to Spiti Valley in January 2018. We were invited by escape Route and hosted by the Aamod Shoghi Resort.

Welcome

As we crossed Dharampur in Himachal, we saw the valley view’s getting widened, the fresh air opening our blocked senses and the roads getting dotted with pine and oak trees. The sky was deep blue with some haze on the mountains, but the sun was ready to say goodbye in an hour or two. After an hour’s drive, we reached the resort and were greeted “Namaste” with folded hands by the staff at the parking.

The staff unloaded our luggage into their private vehicle and took us through the narrow lanes to the resort entrance.

Aamod Resort Shoghi, Entrance

As soon as we stepped down, the first impression was: nicely blended work in the woods, mud layering from outside and dark paneling from inside giving a perfectly traditional and modern feel. The hanging pots outside the open cafe and the use of local elements added a charm to the whole place. The big glass windows inside the restaurant – Colonial were beautifully framed to get the complete view of the jungle around and to bring enough light to the dark furnishings.

Inside Colonial Restaurant: Aamod Resort Shoghi

The check-in formalities were done in seconds while sharing a hot cup of Kahwa with Mr. Harish (General Manager) and from there promptly we were guided to our super deluxe cottage 101.

Aamod Resort

The resort has in total 20 cottages spread on the mountain slopes and tops, without disturbing the forest land. They are categorized into deluxe (11), super deluxe (6), family (2) and family deluxe cottage (1).

The narrow, jungle trails shaded by several feet tall trees, curl up and down in the whole property taking you to the adventure zone, spa, private couple Jacuzzi, Glade (the conference room) and open terrace.

The Cottage

The cottages have been handcrafted well; keeping in mind the comfort, luxury and perfect synchronization with nature. We were put in deluxe cottage 101. It was quite spacious with bespoke furniture and a large patio that overlooked the valley, mountains and a running toy train track underneath.

Super Deluxe Cottage nestled in the woods - Aamod Resort Shoghi

As soon as you enter the cottage, there is a foldable recliner on one end, a king sized bed on other and a wooden closet leading you to the separate toilet and bathroom.

Luxurious Super Deluxe Room at Aamod Resort Shoghi
Super Deluxe Room at Aamod Resort Shoghi

The room is perfectly equipped with all the modern amenities ranging from the bar, hot water kettle, heater, workstation and electric bed warmers etc.

Food

If food is something that keeps your wanderlust awake, then Aamod Resort Shoghi will prove to be the delectable treat for you. They offer lavish buffets in the breakfast, lunch, and dinner or one can order ala-carte too. The buffets specialize from continental, oriental, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Chinese & traditional Himachali cuisines.

Live Kitchen at Aamod Resort Shoghi

We believe that when in Himachal one must feast on the local cuisines. So, do try their Himachali cuisines – in particular, the Mal puddas with Khatti kadu Chatni and Siddus. The aroma of freshly used spices and ingredients, in the cuisines, is enough to tickle your taste buds and further aggravate your hunger.

Mal Purra with Khatti Kadu Chutney: Aamod Resort Shoghi

Aamod Shoghi has a separate bakery section and we loved their Variety. The kiwi crush, marble and chocolate cake goes to our favorite list. The Jam donuts too is another recommendation and a must try too.

Before Dinner Scenes - Aamod Resort Shoghi

Dining & Bar

The food and drinks can be enjoyed in the indoor and outdoor dining area “Colonial” with a bonfire. They serve the variety of spirits and handcrafted cocktails. We recommend you to try their newly introduced: Gin based Lodge cocktails.

The Colonial; open restaurant at Aamod Resort Shoghi
The Colonial Restaurant

Apart from this, if you wish to enjoy food with valley views from your balcony then you can order ala- carte. The kitchen is open till 11 pm.

Activities at Aamod Resort Shoghi

If there is a widespread patio in front of cottages to unwind, relax and enjoy nature, then there are a plethora of activities to get some adrenaline rush, sweat and detoxify you.

There is a recreational room, adventure activity zone, mountain cycling, nature walks and spa to cool down, & rejuvenate. The private Jacuzzi at the cliff followed by some romantic dinner is for some romantic moments together.

Recreation Room:

The recreation room lies next to the reception area and has a variety of indoor games like monopoly, scrabble, Ludo, Carrom, Table Tennis etc. There is a collection of books and DVD’s to enjoy some classics.

Recreation Room- Aamod Resort Shoghi
Recreation Room

Adventurous Zone:

There is a 9 step extensive rope course in the adventure zone of Aamod Resort Shoghi. The activities involve from Burma Bridge crossing to fox flying, rope bridge walk, commando net, tire riding and many more.

And if you want to have some more thrills like us, try mountain climbing and rappelling from a 40 feet high mountain rock face.  It is rarely scary if you look down but it’s equally fun, after taking the first step. Imagine, I did it twice after the horror of the first one.

All these adventurous activities are carried only after making one wear safety wear with belay and under the supervision of a trained supervisor. So, it’s really safe for adults as well kids.

Tyre Crossing - Adventure activities at Aamod resort Shoghi
Tyre Crossing

Nature Walks:

If you like walking aimlessly with your spouse in the jungle or want to give a wood experience to your family and children while listening to the birds chirping, then do plan a nature walk with Aamod Resort Shoghi. There are several walking trails near the property for nature walk which lasts from 1 hour to half day.

One of the walks we did was along the UNESCO world heritage Kalka Shimla railway track. It was purely a heritage walk taking us back to the Britishers time, history was all around and the cool breeze from the valleys and mountains was enough to dry our sweat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeKwP8zHH3P/?taken-by=suruchimittal

While spotting toy train we too experienced the rich flora and fauna. We tried Baboon and Tung Datoon (Datton is a substitute of toothbrush & toothpaste which locals use for cleaning teeth) during our walk and the staff surprised us with hot tea and cookies on the midway of the hike. We must say it was an experience to cherish for!

Spa & Open air Jacuzzi: Sublime Area

The Sublime area on the mountain cliff houses both spa rooms and Jacuzzi for individuals as well couples. The rooms overlook the mountains and have huge glass windows to be well lit and warm during the sessions. We recommend taking Spa and Jacuzzi session during sunrise and sunset. At that time, the sky is lit in hues ranging from blue to orange and the whole place looks totally serene.

Couple Spa Rooms at Aamod Resort Shoghi
Couple Spa Rooms

We opted for evening Spa and Jacuzzi session. It started with the Ayurvedic massage with hot oil. The total kneading and pressuring continued for 1 hour from toe to head, leaving us completely relaxed. Further, at the end, we were handed the bathrobes and directed to the hot water couple Jacuzzi. We were stunned to see the sun was already at the climax and had painted the sky well.

Couple Jacuzzi with Sunset view at Aamod Resort Shoghi

Spa Sessions can vary from 30 to 90 minutes whereas Jacuzzi sessions are for 35 minutes.

Toy Train Ride & Train Spotting

The other activity to enjoy here is Kalka Shimla toy train ride. But, instead of taking a ride we opted for catching the train at various tunnels and stations. It was pure fun and adventure. Train Spotting needs a separate post. For timings, please enjoy this video.

Private Romantic Dinner on the Ridge

The private romantic dinner set up on the cliff left us completely in awe. The sky was glowing and the cutlery, candles, flowers, wine glasses everything was perfectly arranged for us to go on a romantic date. Steward was on our table end to make us special throughout. I wish there was some romantic music to side bye to make it look like a movie scene.

Watch Sunrise & Sunset from the ridge

The Sunrise & Sunset in mountains is every photographer’s delight and the Aamod resort Shoghi provides a true spot to capture glittering sky. While clicking, staff can serve you tea/ coffee with cookies at the ridge.

Morning tea with sunrise at ridge: Aamod Resort Shoghi
Morning tea with sunrise at Ridge
Sunset from The ridge at Aamod Resort Shoghi
Pic Credits: Ankur Gupta

Camping

For camp lovers, there is an ideal spot at the ridge to camp overnight and learn about the jungle survival. Aamod resort charges a minimum amount for this experience.

Camping At Aamod Resort Shoghi

In addition to all the activities mentioned above, the Aamod resort Shoghi also arranges for yoga, meditation sessions, village tours, mountain cycling, storytelling by locals and team building activities; but only on prior information.

Sight-Seeing

Shimla lies just 16 kilometers from the resort. So, one can go & explore the colonial town and other nearby towns like Fagu, Mashobra, Chail, Barog etc.

Overall

The Aamod Resort Shoghi truly lives to the name of being an eco-tourism resort. They have impeccable services, nature love, scrumptious food, spa and Jacuzzi with valley views and one of the best adventure services. In short, if you are looking some good time in the woods, away from city jungle, then this is the place for you.

Aamod Resort Shoghi

Additional Information

Route: Delhi – Ambala – Zirakpur – Dharampur – Shoghi

Total time to Reach: 7-8 hours

Roads: Excellent graveled roads, Highway but few bad patches after Jabli because of the road widening project.

How to Reach: The eco-friendly Aamod resort at Shoghi can be reached by car, train or by air.

Train: There are no direct trains between Delhi & Shoghi. So, one can reach by taking Shatabadi Express till Kalka and further Kalka Shimla Himalayan Toy Train till Sanklaghat (on the way to Shimla). From there, call up Mr. Kamal to pick you up.

Air: Take a flight from Delhi to Shimla. From Shimla, you can either hire a private cab or ride by Himalayan toy train till Sanklaghat.

We thank Mr. Sumit for arranging and Mr. Harish and Mr. Kamal for giving us wonderful, handcrafted, memorable experiences here.

Review: Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram

If you are a history freak and looks for a relaxed vacation simultaneously, want to sleep in the private deluxe or seaside cottages with an Olympiad pool around, walk hand in hand watching the sunrise with your loved one on a private beach, then the Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram is the perfect place for you.

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Recently, you might have seen our Instagram feed and Facebook feed loaded with lots of beach pictures giving you a perfect clue about our trip to the awesome Chariot property, and the fun we had while doing activities at chariot beach resort, Mahabalipuram. We were invited as guests to the #Chariot Bloggers Retreat.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BaeEyaOnSV1/?hl=en&taken-by=suruchimittal

We, a team of 16 bloggers from Delhi landed at Chennai Airport in the morning and were driven by the Chariot team Chauffer to the Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram. The resort is located at a distance of 60 km from the prime location at the shore. It took around 1:30 hr to reach the resort. As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed by the refreshing traditional South Indian coconut drink and seashell garlands. After a brief introduction and savory filling brunch, we were ushered towards our super deluxe villas.

Welcomed by Coconut Drink and Seashell Garland on arrival at Chariot Beach Resort

About The Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram

The Chariot Beach resort is stretched over 42 acres. There are 70 rooms and villas amidst the swaying coconut trees and beach at the end.

Open Lush green areas at Chariot Resort, Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram or earlier known as Mamallapuram is a UNESCO heritage site and has the history dating back to 6th century when Pallavas came from Sri Lanka to rule the place.

The Chariot Beach resort is a perfect destination to soak in the greenness and calm your senses at the beach.

Rooms at Chariot Resort

The resort has in total 70 rooms categorized into standard rooms, deluxe rooms & cottages (24), sea view cottages (4) and sea view suites (4).

The rooms, villas and the suites in the Chariot beach resort are crafted keeping in mind the simple logic Rest & Relaxation (R&R) and the gripping greenery and cold breeze of the ocean are enough to unwind one from its daily chores.

Super Deluxe Cottages at chariot Mahabalipuram
Super Deluxe Cottages

We stayed at Super Deluxe cottages, which is spacious and furnished in a way to house two queen size beds. And the other amenities like working table, Sofa, chairs, LED’s, minibar, coffee maker, weighing scales, washroom, and outdoor shower. The villa is hugged from all sides by tropical gardens and has huge windows for the direct sunlight. The room looks out to the patio which has a perfect sitting arrangement to enjoy some morning and evening filter coffee with the newspaper. The Super Deluxe Villas are apt for the families as well as the couples.

Super Deluxe Cottage Room at Chariot Beach Resort

Amenities in Super Deluxe Cottage of Chariot beach resort

There are few Sea view cottages and suites in the resort too. Everything in these is almost same except that from there patio and rooms, one gets direct views of the sea and its waves. The Sea View Suites too has a separate dining area within their rooms.

Sea View Suites at Chariot Beach Resort
Sea View Suites
Sea View from Sea view Cottages at Chariot Beach Resort
Sea View from Sea View Cottages

Restaurants at Chariot Beach Resort

If you are someone who is the foodie, can go gaga about the food, have strong taste buds and the aroma of the cooked food in restaurants can tease your hunger, then this is the place you should be for your weekend getaways. They offer you a variety of traditional South Indian Cuisine to North Indian food.

There are 3 restaurants and a Bakehouse at Chariot Beach Resort, Mahabalipuram.

Kapi serves multi cuisines, a la carte and buffet throughout the day for its guests. There are live counters to try some lip-smacking local delicacies.

Sweet Delicacies at Chariot beach Resort
Sweet Delicacies at Chariot Beach Resort

Panam is a bar to enjoy some good cocktails and mocktails with your family and friends.

Restaurant at Chariot Beach Resort

Coast actually lies on the sea coast with the wonderful sea views and cold breeze. The fresh seafood severed here is palatable and unforgettable. Chariot team too organizes dinner for family, couple and friends on the sea coast.

Coast Restaurant at Chariot Beach Resort

Bake House on the property is enough to keep your sugar and calorie level apt while enjoying the property. The team doesn’t forget to serve you a variety of desserts after every meal.

Apart from this, there are various shakes and juices to enjoy the day.

Activities at Chariot Beach Resort Mahabalipuram

There are a plethora of activities to choose from and enjoy within the premises of chariot Beach resort. There is a separate 5 acres neighborhood activity zone to rush your adrenaline levels. To name few others there is Zip lining, Burma Bridge, ATV ride, Cricket zone, Table tennis, Olympiad size swimming pool, private beach, Catamaran ride and Ayurvedic Spa zone.  You can read about these in detail here.

Watching Sunrise on private beach of Chariot Beach Resort
Watching Sunrise on private beach at Chariot Beach Resort

Events

The Chariot beach resort, Mahabalipuram has three Banquet Halls named as Orchid, Marigold, and Frangi Pani. These can house 60 to 400 people during conferences and other events.

Besides, this the Chariot Team organizes personal as well as corporate parties at their Rock garden, pool, and private beach, only on prior request.

Bar in rock garden of Beach Resort
Bar in rock garden at Chariot Beach Resort

Walking/ Cycling at Chariot Beach Resort

Disregard all this, walk or cycle around the whole property in the early morning. There is silence, soothing birds chirping and a whiff of cool fresh ocean air brushing against your skin and soothing your inner soul.

Our Experience at Chariot Beach Resort

So, from all this review you can clearly make out that the Chariot Beach resort has some or other thing for everyone. We could relax and rejuvenate here, away from the mundane city life. The place is a perfect example of peace and tranquillity. One can calm down and detox himself/herself in the perfect environment here.

Sea Views at Chariot Beach Resort

Other must-visit Attractions in Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram is a UNESCO heritage site dating back to 6th-7th century, so make sure to dwell yourself on the history of Pallavas dynasty. The Chariot Beach resort organizes a half day walking heritage tour of the Mahabalipuram city on prior request. The places which are must see and included in the tour are – Shore temple, part of submerged shore Temple, Krishna’s Butterball, Arjuna’s Penance, Old and New Lighthouse, 5 Ratha’s, and Seashell Museum. We will be covering all the details about these in our next post.

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How to reach here

The Chariot Beach resort Mahabalipuram is just 60 km from Chennai. It takes around 1hr 30 minutes, maximum to reach.

Address: Five Raths Road, Behind Five Raths Monument, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104

Website: www.chariotbeachresorts.com

Disclaimer:

AllGudThings was invited as a guest for the Chariot Bloggers Retreat, 2017, but the views expressed here in the post are completely ours. Special Thanks to Mr. Anand Chandershekar, for arranging everything so nicely and taking good care of all the bloggers.

If you are convinced and liked it, please share this weekend getaway with your friends and family.

Chariot Beach Resort

Heritage Property near Galle: Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri Lanka

Grandiose Dutch estate in the woods, rich food, immaculate hospitality, peace and “We” time is what sums up our stay at 200 years old heritage property near Galle – Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri Lanka.

Apa-Villa-Illuketia, Sri lanka

After reaching the Colombo airport, we hired a cab and drove to the South coast of Sri Lanka till Galle. The distance was just 120 km from Colombo but the single road lane, non-stop chit chat with the driver, scenic landscapes, endless seascapes on one side and, comatose villages under the shade of palm trees on another side, turned the whole road trip to 6 hours. Trust us, the six hours passed away in a jiffy admiring Sri Lanka’s natural beauty.

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It was almost evening when we reached Galle and our destination; Apa Villa Illuketia was further laid 5- 7 kilometers deep in the forests. As we started moving inland, the seascapes turned to lush green fields and the sound of ocean waves was taken away by birds chirping. The open blue sky turned dark by the thick canopy of swaying palm and bamboo trees.

Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri Lanka -Atrium with Pond

Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri Lanka

The Apa Villa Illuketia, a plantation heritage property is a mix of contemporary and traditional designs. It is modernized to the needs but has retained the ancient culture. The property is 200 years old; and a perfect live example of Island’s colonial past. It sits on 10 acres land and is surrounded by tropical gardens, botanical gardens, paddy fields and tea estates. So, the whole place is LUSH PLUSH with gardens and pool around. The birds and animals roam freely in the sky and on the ground. Currently, this magnificent estate house is owned by Hans Johannes Hofer, a German photographer, and owner of Travel Insight guides; Here is the link to his website for reference www.insightguides.com.

Welcome at Apa Villa Illuketia

As we reached the Villas, the porters greeted us with a warm smile and took us to the living room. The staff made us seated and handed the welcome drinks. We were awestruck by the room’s layout. The nine similar carved doors, two tier roofs with Balinese carvings, chandeliers, antique porcelains, Chinese cabinets and bamboo furniture added glamor to whole space. In the meanwhile check in formalities were completed, and we were directed to our Jasmine – Pond House Suite.

Verandah of Apa Villa Illuketia

Rooms

The Apa Villa Illuketia has in total 6 suite rooms. The Hibiscus, Lotus, and Citronella are the suites in main house whereas Ginger and Jasmine are Pond house suites. Each suite has its own distinct interiors with open air shower and private garden.

As we were walking towards our Pond House suite, we were getting elated. The villa was overlooking natural Lotus pond and had a huge swing to sit and relax. The room was furnished with wood furnishings. It had a king sized ornamental bed with canopy, sitting area, plush open bathroom, shower, bathtub, upscale toiletries and enclosed private garden. The suite also has fans, air conditioner, and good connected Wi- Fi but no TV and DVD player.

Apa Villa Illuketia Jasmine suite
Source: APA-Villa-il luke tia-Sri Lanka.en.ww.lk
Pond House Suite - Washroom at Apa Villa Illuketia
Source: http://www.thevillaguide.com

There was a common open living room between Ginger and Jasmine Pond houses, hedging couches, armchairs, sun beds and dining table. It was a perfect place to dine, soak in sun and admire the exotic birds.

Common area between Ginger and Jasmine Pond House at Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri lanka
Source: http://www.hotelroomsearch.net/

The Apa Villa resort is tucked in between the tea estates and paddy fields. The huge verandahs with side seatings, all suites facing ponds, ponds covered with lotus flowers and plants, pool amidst the canopy of thick trees, flowering shrubs, and a variety of reptiles, birds make the whole place earthy, serene and close to nature.

Dining at Apa Villa Illuketia

The meals are served in the main house verandah, each time with a different setting. The Birds, monkeys, and cicadas play background music whereas the water channel runs alongside the corridor.

Verandha at Apa-Villa-Illuketia; where breakfast and dinner is served

Breakfast: is served from 7:30 am -10:30 am. It starts with a fresh juice and tropical fruits. Then the main course includes eggs, sausages, bacon or typical Sri Lankan breakfast (Pan – hoppers with or without egg, coconut milk curry and spicy sambol relish) with Ceylon tea and fresh island coffee.

Stretching before breakfast at pa Villa Illuketia, Sri lanka

Dinner:  is served from 6:30 pm -9:30 pm. It includes two – three courses of set meals. The cuisines vary from Sri Lankan, Singaporean to Seafood variations.

The in-between snacks are served till 5:30 in the evenings and one can choose these perfect cozy side seatings in the verandah with the garden views for munching.

The side seatings in Verandhas of Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri Lanka
Source: Tripadvisor

Activities & Amenities at Apa Villa Illuketia

Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri Lanka has one 25 meters long swimming pool with comfortable deck chairs enclosed in between the bamboos, tall trees, shrubs, and flowers.

Pool at Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri Lanka

Apart from this; there are many coffee table books, magazines, and novels to read and relax in the basking sun. They too have a pool table, TV room, and study room. The estate organizes cycling tours to the nearby villages, day trips to the tea estates, river trips, sightseeing to Galle and other nearby surroundings.

Sightseeing from Apa Villa Illuketia

The shuttle van runs from Apa Villa Illuketia which dropped us till the main road. From there we took the local bus to reach Galle city which was almost 5 kilometers. We explored Galle fort on foot and munched on pizza and drinks in the cafe. At the end of the day, we hired a bike at a very reasonable price for our future day’s exploration.

Galle Fort Streets: Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri Lanka
Source: Enviroreach

The second day of our trip started with a wonderful fresh breakfast, overlooking the gardens and lazing in the verandahs. By afternoon we thought of exploring the other beach towns Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna, which lies at a distance of almost 5 km and 20 km respectively from Galle. These places are famous among hippies, surfers, and divers. They too have the perfect beaches to watch the sunset. You can check here the enthralling pictures of Sri Lanka beaches.Sunset at Unawatuna- Apa Villa Illuketia

Apart from this, on the third day, we rode our scooter to see Handunugoda Tea Estate in Ahangama. It took us total 30 minutes to reach. The Tea Factory is famous because of Virgin White Tea. This tea is completely untouched by hands. The factory is a living museum and it stills operates its more than 140 years old machinery.

The Virgin White Tea Factory- Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri lanka

The others attractions nearby are:

Peace Pagoda: The peace pagoda lies on the top of Rumasalla hill and gives serene views overlooking the Panoramic Ocean. One can go hiking or by bike till the top.

Views from Japanese Peace Pagoda: Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri lanka

Galle International Cricket Stadium: The Galle stadium was used as a race course by Britishers. Since last 100 years it is being used as a cricket stadium and since 1998 it has become an international cricket stadium.

Lighthouse: The lighthouse lies at the southern end of Galle fort and it has been there since 1848.

Shopping: Shop for beautiful pearls and check for the authentication certificate.

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Overall Experience of Apa Villa Illuketia

If you are looking to unwind yourself, get tranquilized and spend some romantic moments together in the lap of nature, then this is a perfect place for You! The resort and rooms are beautifully handcrafted keeping the surroundings in mind. The services are impeccable. The moment you are here, you are away from the city’s hustle-bustle and clock stops for you.

In short, the resort is a perfect combination of modernization, traditionalism, luxury, and comfort. We adored each day staying here and these memories will stay with us forever.

Swing near Pond House at Apa Villa Illuketia

The Apa Villa’s have their another property Apa Villa Thalpe located 5 Kilometers away from Apa Villa Illuketia. The property is equally stunning and is located on the sea shore. The property has seven suites, blue pool and direct access to the beaches. We wanted to spend last two days here but couldn’t get the option. So choose to laze around at Apa Villa Thalpe for a day in the pool, watching waves in the Indian Ocean. Later on, we had a sumptuous lunch here.

Pool at Apa Villa Thalpe: Apa villa Illuketia

Lunch at Apa Villa Thalpe garden: Lies at a distance of 5 Km from Apa Villa Illuketia

Contact Details:

Apa Villa Thalpe: +94 91 2283320; Apa Villa Illuketia: +94 914-381411

Email Id: [email protected]

Hans Hoefer (Owner) Mobile: +65 96196170; E-mail: [email protected]

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Heritage Property near Galle: Apa Villa Illuketia, Sri Lanka

Review: Auli Resort – The Royal Village

Rising up to the sun rays hitting snow clad peaks of  barren mountain, sipping hot lemon ginger tea admiring the mother nature; eating delicious breakfast under deep blue sky, the scenic stroll around lush green meadows,non-stop family talks and chairlift journey to the meadows are some of the golden moments which I can recall from my recent trip to Auli and stay at the Auli Resort – The Royal Village.

Views of Auli from the Auli resort- The royal Village
Panoramic View of Auli from Auli Resort

Auli Resort- The Royal Village is a cool environment-friendly holiday resort and is located at one of the most picturesque locations. It lies within the complex of GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam), giving the panoramic view of majestic Himalayan ranges.

After a long drive and trip to Badrinath Dham and the Mythical Mana Village, we thought of rejuvenating our body and soul with the fresh air and serene beauty of Auli.

At Auli Resort

As soon as you reach Auli base, GMVN resort welcomed us. But somehow it didn’t attract us and far away the rowed yellow log huts with the green background were too enticing. That was the Auli resort – the royal village. It’s hardly a 100 meters drive or walk from GMVN.

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Reception

The reception is simply done with a seating and few Himalayas and trekking books are around, in the shelves. The staffs behind the desk are super friendly and they helpful you while checking in and assist you to your rooms. They too guide you about local sightseeing and how weather changes in Auli. Read here for the different shades of Auli in summers.

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Auli Resort

There are 12 luxurious huts in two rows lined one behind another on the mountain slope, each having its own patio facing towards the snow covered mountain peaks. The Auli resort is a perfect place to soak in the mountain atmosphere.

Auli Resort - The Royal Village

Rooms/ Huts

The rooms are designed keeping in mind the extreme winters at Auli and they are comfortable for summers too. The maximum temperature in Auli goes around 16 degree Celsius in summers and in winters the lowest can be up to -8-degree celsius.

The Auli resort huts are colorful, clean and cozy. The hut in which we had put up was painted in purple and white and there was a separate space for bedroom, dressing room, and washroom.

Huts at Auli Resort

The room has all basic amenities like television, chairs, room heater and tea-coffee maker. And yes! The views from the window of the hut were just not Wow but spectacular –Almost half of the Auli was visible.

View from Hut of Auli Resort

Restaurant and Food at Auli Resorts

One cannot stroll or enjoy without food and there is no worry when you are at Auli Resorts – The Royal Village. They have a variety of Indian, Chinese, continental and some local dishes in their menu. We tried Indian, Chinese and Uttarakhand’s local food. Everything was just scrumptious.

Restaurant at Auli resort - the Royal Village

The dining area behind the reception is clean. It has wooden roofs, giving the typical feel of a place in mountains.

Dining Area at Auli resort
Dining Area at Auli Resort

Sightseeing at Auli

  1. The Hanuman Temple: It lies just after a refreshing trek of 15-20 minutes from the royal village Auli Resort.
  2. The Panoramic View of Snow clad Mountain Peaks: From the resort itself complete panorama of majestic Himalayan peaks is visible and the prominent are Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba, and Panch Chuli.The view of Himalayan Ranges from Auli Resort
  3. Gurso Bugyal Meadows: The Meadows lies 3kms from Auli resorts and are spread amidst forests of oak and conifers. They turn lush green in summers and are snow covered in winters. So, if you love winters sports you surely cannot miss visiting Auli as a winter destination in Uttarakhand. One can try skiing, ATV rides, and others sports here.
  4. Ride by Chairlift till meadows and highest artificial lake:

Parking at Auli Resort

There are enough parking spaces available around Auli Resorts.

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Conclusion

I will say the Auli resort lives up to the name of Auli and is a complete value for money. We paid Rs. 3000/- per night. The colorful huts, delicious food, impeccable services, and beautiful views – everything is perfect here. The place not only relaxes your mind and body but make you feel in the abode of heaven.Review: Auli Resort - The Royal Village

Rating of Auli Resort

I rate it 4.5 out of 5

Some Additional Info 

  1. One can get the huts booked at Auli resort from MakeMyTrip, Tripadvisor or Booking.com.
  2. The Gondola Chairlift is only 100 meters away from the Auli resorts.
  3. The resort arranges day treks, only on prior information.
  4. Auli resort is a good place for families, friends, and couples.

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