Mumbai has the advantage of being just a couple of hours away from many stunning weekend getaway options, but few enjoy the heavy footfall of Lonavala. A short but picturesque drive away, the hill town makes for an ideal destination for a quick break. To help you get started, we’ve curated a few resorts for your next road trip to the hill station so that you can #RediscoverParadise in a whole new way!
A quick getaway from Mumbai’s constant buzz, Lonavala is a destination that you can’t just visit once. As travel restrictions ease and travellers start to hit the highways once again—keeping all safety precautions in mind—we tell you everything you need to know while you embark on a #TnlRoadTrip from Mumbai to Lonavala. Plus, Corona India and Thrillophilia have just the right resorts to help you #RediscoverParadise, based on your preferences.
What to see?
Set in the Western Ghats, Lonavala boasts mesmerising greens veiled in layers of mist, accentuated with beautiful waterfalls in the valley. Begin your day by trekking up the Tiger’s Peak, an echo point named so owing to its geographical semblance to a tiger leaping into the valley. At the end of the trek, a gushing stream greets, making it an ideal spot to munch on some spicy vada pavs and sweet chikkis along with a cup of masala chai. Next, meander your way towards the Tikona Fort, a fortress replete with high fortifications, large doorways and numerous water tanks. The Lohagad Fort, too, deserves to be on your itinerary. The 18th-century hilltop structure offers a fusion of ancient architecture and natural beauty. End your day stargazing at the Pawna Lake, an artificial lake fed by the Pawna dam. Other notable attractions include Bhushi Dam, Bhaja Caves, Della Adventure Park and Rajmachi Point.
Distance from Mumbai to Lonavala: 83 kilometres
Duration: One-and-a-half hours, approximately
Best time to visit: Avoidable during the monsoon months between June and September, owing to the risk of landslides and heavy rains flooding the area; the rest of the year is pleasant throughout.
Where to stay?
1. For rejuvenation seekers: Fazlani’s Natures Nest
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A space overlooking the azure waters of Mawal taluka is comforting enough. But when it’s paired with traditional nature-inspired wellness offerings, relaxation increases manifold. Fazlani’s Natures Nest offers this peaceful haven and much more. A brainchild of a team of professionals aiming to create a potpourri of cultural and traditional experiences, the resort offers a blend of wellness, recreation and excellence in hospitality, all wrapped in the luxury of nature’s five elements. When here, the cool soil of their manicured gardens will soak all your stress, while the gentle sound of streaming water is tranquil. Aiding this rejuvenating experience is the Amarine Spa where 24 treatment rooms, a gymnasium, three outdoor swimming pools, and luxurious hydrotherapy facilities cater to every need. A stay here is a great segue to #RediscoverParadise with a calm body and mind.
Price: Starting at INR 12,980 per room
Click here for more details.
2. For solitude seekers: The Machan
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Catering to childhood fantasies, The Machan gives its guests the experience of living in a treehouse! The eco-resort has treehouses, or machans, up to 40-feet high, each offering sweeping forest views. Designed in a sustainable manner ensuring minimal ecological damage, a stay here is a guaranteed blissful experience. While the accommodation’s aesthetic brings nature indoors, modern-day luxuries accompany alongside as well. When here, simply soak yourself in the bathtub while enjoying a book; or you can even trek to nearby historical sites. #RediscoverParadise by tuning out worldly noises and experiencing the quieter side of the otherwise bustling hill station.
Price: Starting at INR 12,500 per room
Click here for more details.
3. For adventure enthusiasts: Aamby Valley Resort
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Designed to offer superior living spaces, Aamby Valley Resort is a city in itself. Spanning over 10,600 acres of land amidst the mighty Sahyadri mountains, the property offers many recreational areas. Think 18-hole golf course, rugged ATV riding tracks, zorbing, 35-feet-high rock climbing zone, rappelling and jungle safari. Adventurous activities aside, the culinary offerings too will take guests on a gastronomical journey. When here, you can gorge on continental and oriental dishes for lunch, and Indian delicacies for dinner. A visit to this vast resort allows visitors to #RediscoverParadise by enjoying the multitudinous fast-paced offerings ordinarily missing in most mountain towns.
Price: Starting at INR 5,200 per room
Click here for more details
4. For mountain lovers: Forest Escapes Koyna
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Perched amid the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the resort lives up to its name. A stay here is accompanied with views of lush green Sahyadri hills, making it an irresistible option for any mountain lover. When here, spend the day visiting close by attractions like the Ghatmatha, Sahyadri’s highest peak; Bhairavgad Fort; and Koyna Dam, Maharashtra’s largest dam. To end your day, head to the resort’s in-house spa and infinity pool—both blessings after a long day of exploring. #RediscoverParadise by exploring what Lonavala is best known for–its lush green hills.
Price: Starting at INR 5,000 per room
Click here for more details
OTHER STAY OPTIONS
These resorts and many more are available to block through Corona India‘s cool new initiative to revive tourism within the country, in collaboration with Thrillophilia. Click here.
Plus stand a chance to win a luxury stay for two at a resort of your choice by participating in this contest!
Bayar Jain
Senior Content Manager
Equipped with a degree in Sociology (Honours) from the University of Delhi, and a post graduate diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Bayar enjoys sharing stories of people, places, and different cultures. When not typing her travel tales, you can catch the hobbyist photographer capturing the next frame, dabbling in arts and crafts, or gushing over puppers and kittens.
