Latest news with #BrijAnayra
News18
11-08-2025
- News18
The Art Of Doing Nothing: Luxurious Escapes For The August 15 Long Weekend
This August 15, pick a place where the only thing on your agenda is to feel absolutely unhurried. Forget racing from one tourist attraction to the next or checking off a packed itinerary just to say you've 'done it all." Now picture this: a holiday where the only plan is… no plan at all. No timetables. No rushed sightseeing. No walking 20,000 steps in a day. Just time – unhurried, unstructured, and entirely yours. This is the essence of a do-nothing holiday, a getaway designed not for laziness, but for wellness, balance, and truly absorbing your surroundings at your own pace. Doing nothing can mean anything you want it to: lingering over breakfast, napping in the afternoon sun, floating in a pool, strolling aimlessly through nature, or simply sitting still and watching the world pass by. The goal isn't to avoid experiences — it's to savour them without the pressure of 'fitting it all in." Why August 15 Is the Perfect Excuse This year, August 15 falls on a Friday, creating a long weekend that's practically begging for an escape. If the idea of a frantic city break makes you want to stay home, consider retreating to a luxury property where the pace slows down to match your heartbeat. From a boutique hideaway on the edge of Rajasthan's Sariska Tiger Reserve to a historic tea estate in Darjeeling, here are some of India's most idyllic do-nothing destinations for the mid-August break. 1. Sariska Lodge – Sariska, Rajasthan Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Aravalli hills and just steps from the Sariska Tiger Reserve, Sariska Lodge is an intimate luxury retreat that blends nature, wildlife, and comfort. Spread across 15 acres, the property offers 11 beautifully designed private suites, a dining room with indoor and outdoor seating, a wellness centre, an outdoor pool, landscaped gardens, and even an Ashwalaya, a stable of majestic Marwari horses. Perfect for long, lazy mornings and quiet evenings, Sariska Lodge also offers guided activities if you're in the mood to explore, making it equally suited for both the still and the spirited. 2. Brij Anayra – Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh Perched amid lush tea plantations with sweeping views of the Dhauladhar range, Brij Anayra is housed in a nearly 200-year-old estate that radiates old-world elegance. With just 12 exquisitely appointed rooms, the property offers intimate luxury and experiences such as sound healing sessions, English high tea in manicured gardens, and gourmet dining. Evenings here are magical, think sunsets from your suite, the twinkling lights of Dharamsala in the distance, and the stillness of the Himalayas all around. 3. Sitara Himalaya – Palchan, Himachal Pradesh High in the heart of the Himalayas, Sitara Himalaya combines Indian, Tibetan, and English architectural influences to create a refined mountain lodge experience. Each elegantly furnished room opens to breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and green valleys. Guests can indulge in Ayurvedic spa therapies, savour Himalayan-inspired cuisine, and spend their days reconnecting with nature. This is a retreat designed for both physical rejuvenation and mental stillness. 4. The Kumaon – Kasar Devi, Uttarakhand Set on a ridge above Almora, The Kumaon is a contemporary retreat that blends modern minimalism with traditional stone-and-wood architecture. Its ten spacious suites frame sweeping Himalayan views, and the cantilevered dining room seems to float above the valley. Here, days are slow and serene, stroll through native forests, explore terraced farms, or tap into the spiritual energy of nearby Kasar Devi Temple, a site long associated with meditation and creativity. 5. Glenburn Tea Estate & Boutique Hotel – Darjeeling, West Bengal A slice of colonial charm in the hills, Glenburn Tea Estate overlooks rolling plantations and the majestic Kanchenjunga. The property offers elegantly restored bungalows, antique furnishings, sprawling verandas, and warm hospitality. Guests can sip freshly brewed estate tea, take leisurely walks through the plantations, or simply sink into a chair with a book as mountain breezes drift through. It's the perfect place to press pause and breathe. A do-nothing holiday isn't about doing less, it's about doing more of what truly matters: resting, breathing, and living at your own rhythm. This August 15, pick a place where the only thing on your agenda is to feel absolutely unhurried. First Published: August 11, 2025, 18:16 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
11-08-2025
- NDTV
Why A Do-Nothing Holiday At These 10 Indian Luxury Hotels Is The Best August 15 Long Weekend Trip
Imagine a holiday without Instagram. No, strike that. Imagine the second-best alternative, a holiday where you are not forced to tick off activities off a list. No to-dos, no agendas, no timetables and no walking-a-million-miles-a-day kinda vacation. A 'do-nothing' holiday. The kind of holidays where your only work is to reset and laze around, doing everything that you want to but without the stress of doing it all. What Is A Do-Nothing Holiday? Unlike traditional 'activity-based' vacations, a do-nothing holiday is not about laziness or ignoring culture, rather, it is about wellness, balance, and absorbing life at your own pace. Doing nothing could mean anything. Sleeping, swimming, eating slowly, lingering in the sun, meandering in nature, or just sitting still - what matters is how you define doing nothing. The Best Pick For An August 15 Long Weekend Trip So, if no frantic plans is the way you want to spend the August 15 long weekend (August 15 this year is a Friday, and just the mid-August break you needed), head to one of these luxury resorts. From an intimate luxury retreat on the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, to a tea-estate stay in West Bengal's Darjeeling, or an erstwhile Victorian boatyard-turned-heritage hotel in Kerala's Cochin, to a nearly two-century-old estate in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamsala, there's something on the list for every kind of do-nothing traveller. And perhaps for Instagram too, once you're done with the holiday. Sariska Lodge A brand-new intimate luxury retreat nestled on the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and amidst the scenic Aravalli hills, Sariska Lodge is perfect for nature and wildlife lovers. The resort is spread across 15 acres and features 11 elegantly designed private suites, along with a dedicated dining room-bar-outdoor restaurant, a wellness centre, a serene outdoor pool, an organic garden, beautifully designed outdoor guest spaces, and an Ashwalaya (an in-house stable with Marwari horses). The property is perfect for a slowed-down long weekend. In case you're the active kinds, the Sariska Lodge team has a range of activities for you to try out. Brij Anayra Think heritage and think luxury. Brij Anayra in Dharamshala is a blend of both, with 12 exquisite rooms that immerse guests in the serenity of the Himalayan landscape. Perched atop lush tea plantations with panoramic views of the Dhauladhar range, the place promises personalised luxury, attentive service, and immersive experiences like sound healing, high tea in the gardens, and gourmet dining, all set within a nearly two-century-old estate that radiates peace and charm. Here, you can watch the sun set from your suite over a lavish English high tea, catch the twinkling lights of Dharamsala after twilight, or take a stroll along the gardens. Brij Anayra is a beautiful escape from the chaos of citylife. Sitara Himalaya Sitara Himalaya is a luxurious mountain lodge high in the heart of the Himalayas, offering guests elegantly appointed rooms with sweeping views of snow-clad peaks and verdant valleys. Combining Indian, Tibetan, and English architectural influences, the property's refined interiors, Ayurvedic spa, and Himalayan cuisine create a sophisticated mountain retreat that's designed for relaxation, wellness, and breathtaking natural experiences. And above all, it serves as a reminder to slow down. The Kumaon Nestled on a ridge in Kasar Devi above Almora in Uttarakhand, The Kumaon is a contemporary mountain retreat with ten luxurious suites that open to panoramic Himalayan views. Its architecture celebrates local stone and wood, blending modern minimalism with traditional styles. Guests enjoy a tranquil escape into native forests and terraced farms, with access to historic cultural sites, a cantilevered dining room floating over the valley, and deep immersion in the region's spiritual energy. The Kasar Devi temple is a stone's throw from the property. Glenburn Tea Estate and Boutique Hotel Where: Darjeeling, West Bengal Glenburn Tea Estate sprawls across 1,600 acres overlooking the hills of Darjeeling and offers a boutique plantation stay with a lingering English cottage vibe. Guests are enveloped in warm hospitality as they take a sip of estate-grown Darjeeling tea, or take part in immersive plantation experiences. The estate combines luxury comfort and cultural learning with beautiful landscape settings, gracious hosts, gourmet cuisine, and guided explorations of nearby heritage and tea trails. Cherry Resort Located within the picturesque Temi Tea Garden, the only tea garden in Sikkim, Cherry Resort features cozy rooms, serene Himalayan vistas, and warm local hospitality. The Kangchenjunga range is visible in all its glory from the property on clear days. On not-so-clear days, you have stunning views of miles upon miles of lush green tea gardens to feast your eyes on. If you're visiting in October-November, you're rewarded with an additional sight: the resort's cherry trees in full bloom. The property is the best spot to soak in the region's tea culture and scenic beauty, complemented by local cuisine, nature walks and the peaceful ambience of Sikkim's only tea estate. Caravela Beach Resort Situated on the powdery white sands of Varca Beach, Caravela Beach Resort is a sprawling, independently managed luxury destination offering 201 rooms with direct sea views. A massive atrium lobby, extensive gardens, golf course, spa, diverse dining, and vibrant entertainment programmes for adults and children ensure an immersive experience without having to step out of the resort. The property provides guests with access to one of Goa's finest beaches. Kahani Paradise Photo: Kahani Paradise Kahani Paradise is an exclusive coastal villa retreat on top of the lush hills above Paradise Beach in Gokarna, Karnataka. It is spread over 20 acres of tropical gardens, forests, and orchards, and offers six exquisite suites, artisanal interiors, a panoramic pool terrace, and serene spa facilities. Timbertales Where: Coorg, Karnataka Timbertales is a boutique luxury resort set in the scenic Coorg in Karnataka, famed for its expansive plantations, misty hills, and rich biodiversity. The property offers guests beautiful wooden cottages to pick from. When at Timbertales, savour the locally sourced cuisine. Set within one of South India's lushest landscapes, Timbertales offers a glimpse of the coffee-plantation life up close. Brunton Boatyard Photo: Brunton Boatyard Overlooking the historic harbour of Fort Cochin, Brunton Boatyard is a heritage hotel that evokes colonial-era luxury with contemporary comforts. The hotel was converted from a Victorian boatyard, and its rooms and suites feature period details. Guests can enjoy harbour views from Brunton Boatyard. Traditional Kerala cuisine, immersive cultural programming, and easy access to Cochin's bustling spice markets and historic sites make the property a true blend of relaxed elegance and coastal heritage.
