While most of the India sizzles in the heat during the months of June and July, a few privileged ones just pack their bags and leave for quieter and colder places. I belong to the latter category of people who love to travel and moreover look for ideas to beat the heat. Having covered most of the hill stations around the north of India, the only choice I was left with was Lansdowne!!
I am sure not many people know that Lansdowne is a cantonment town in Pauri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Situated on the Kothdwar – Pauri road at a height of 1,706 mt in Uttarakhand, this place is bliss for people who are looking for solace in the arms of nature.
(To read on Lansdowne, click here)
So, what makes Lansdowne different from the rest?
1) Less commercialised
2) Lesser known and less populated
3) Quiet and peaceful
4) Zero pollution
In short, a total contrast from where I was coming from. Though, just slightly less hot than Delhi, Lansdowne embraces you with a pleasant weather only towards the evenings and mornings unless it starts pouring. But Vanvasa Resorts pretty much compensated for everything including the heat.
Spread over in around 30 acres of land, this hilltop destination is located at a distance of 75 kms from Kotdwara and closer to Lansdowne. It is an enormous property that boasts of super duper spacious cottages. Imagine a room as big as a living area of a plush south Delhi house. Just one cottage was MORE THAN sufficient for my family of 11.
They also provide an additional sofa cum bed just to fill in the open space in the cottage. Not to mention the wide balcony area is just perfect to sip a hot cuppa while having a conversation with your loved ones.
But norms are norms and so we had to advance book for 3 cottages. The fun didn’t end there. It is only when you go out for a stroll in the resort premises do you realize how massive a property it is. It has 2 swimming pools, one for adults and one for kids.
There are separate playing areas for sports like cricket, lawn tennis, badminton etc.
The food at Vanvasa is to die for. The restaurant is again enormous with a lavish spread of dishes and an impressive menu. The menu mainly comprises of north Indian dishes prepared with just the right amount of spices and herbs. We ended up overeating EACH time our meals were served. Not more than 3 people work as waiters in the entire restaurant, sometimes the number goes down to just one but the service remains pretty much unaffected. All the demands are met almost instantly. And that is what is makes your stay at Vanvasa special.
Right next to the restaurant is an indoor games area where you can play TT and carom. It is spacious enough to accommodate about 50 odd people. The same area transforms into a mini pub every evening as it supports two-huge speakers where you could connect your favorite songs and dance away for as late as midnight.
All in all, a perfect setting to let your hair down!!
– Meenakshi Besoya
