Top 5 luxury resorts that you can drive down to from Bengaluru
BY NIVEDITH GAJAPATHY
The demand for luxury staycations and getaways is on the rise. Not surprisingly then that everyone looks forward to a perfect getaway with family and friends, spending time doing outdoor activities, relaxing in the nature, experiencing local delicacies and indulging in spa.
From wildlife safaris to pristine blue beaches, mountains amidst coffee plantations and UNESCO heritage sites, Bengaluru is known for being easily accessible to a lot of top tourist destinations in the south. With a variety of destinations on the platter for a perfect getaway from Bengaluru, you can drive down to some of the leading resorts and experience the best of nature at scenic locations.
Here we list our top five resorts for a luxurious holiday.
Taj Madikeri Resort & Spa Coorg
A perfect sanctuary for nature lovers floating in the clouds in the midst of subtropical rainforest, a 180-acre property of lush greenery and vegetation with 30 acres built up area of the resort and 150 acres of rainforest that host more than 200 species of plants such as coffee, cardamom, Rudraksh trees, jasmine, wild fig and eucalyptus. This five-star property is perched at 1,200 metres above sea level offering a panoramic view of the Western Ghats.
Pamper yourself at 30,000 sq. ft Jiva Spa with signature treatments, Ayurveda therapies and the traditional wood-fired Gudda bath experience.
The resort is built in traditional Kodagu architecture with sloping roofs and tall pillars.
For ultimate luxury, the 9,000 sq. ft Presidential Nirvana Suite has three bedrooms, a swimming pool, private pavilion and private courtyard.
You can also explore the luxury pool villa that is 3,300 sq. ft has a four-feet deep, heated plunge pool and a fully retractable roof that can be made “open to sky”. There are two pools in the property, one is a temperature controlled infinity pool and the other is in the open closer to the rainforest.
For bespoke experiences, you can have a romantic dinner by the pool or perched on the viewpoint overlooking the valley Gazebo dining. Indulge your culinary senses with the traditional kodava cuisine.
You can also opt for nature walks, treks, coffee tasting, cooking sessions, Coorg conservatory and adventure activities like zip line, paintball at the property.
Distance from Bengaluru: 280 km or 6 hours’ drive
Best time to visit:
Coorg is good to go throughout the year but the monsoon season would be the perfect romantic time to visit
KAAV Safari Lodge, Kabini
This luxury boutique safari lodge in Kabini is located in Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. It has just six rooms and two luxury tents which are the highlight of the property that overlooks the national park in the wilderness.
The tents have a sit-out deck and a bathtub with an amazing view of the forest just outside the tent and a well-appointed bed. You can select from the array of experiences that is offered by KAAV Safari Lodge such as coracle boat ride, kayaking, cycle ride by the river, night mini safari inside the resort, star gazing and the highlight of the national park i.e. wildlife land and river safari.
Distance from Bengaluru:
220 km or 5 hours’ drive
Best time to visit:
Summer offers better animal sighting in Kabini though the temperatures are quite high while winter has a pleasant weather
CGH Earth – SwaSwara, Gokarna
If you are looking for luxury wellness retreat, SwaSwara by CGH Earth in Gokarna is the place to be. The resort, nestled by the famous OM beach, is a holistic property. It is cast in the colours of the earth and the ocean.
The property has Konkan Villa which features a private courtyard garden with an open-air surrounding though the bedroom is enclosed and air-conditioned. The rest of the location is an open area that feels connected to nature.
Dining at the restaurants at CGH Earth SwaSwara gets you connected with what mother earth has to offer, As good food is the key to well-being, the food prepared here features ingredients that are sourced locally, and some are grown in-house. The fresh produce is from the organic farm of SwaSwara which consists of seasonal fruits, vegetables. The property also serves freshly caught seafood.
CGH Earth SwaSwara offers activities like Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, meditation, art yoga, painting, pottery, origami and has a meditation deck on the cliff overlooking the OM beach.
Pamper yourself with the famed Ayurveda treatments at CGH Earth SwaSwara. The therapies are designed around the holistic understanding of life and to heal your body, relax your mind and rekindle your soul based on body type, doshas and snehanam, Panchakarma cleansing and rejuvenation.
Distance from Bengaluru:
500 km or 10 hours’ drive
Best time to visit:
From October till March, when the weather is warm and pleasant with temperatures is around 32 degrees.
WelcomHeritage Ayatana Coorg
Ever wondered having a private natural waterfall in your backyard? That’s exactly how the luxury resort WelcomHeritage Ayatana Coorg is, with dreamy landscapes, misty mornings and lush forests, amidst coffee plantation in a 100-acre tropical rain forest with spectacular views of the Western Ghats from your cottages. There is also a stream guzzling through the property and an infinity pool overlooking the private waterfall.
What more could one ask for when one thinks of a perfect luxurious holiday? You can also add some adventure to your life with zip lining, rope climbing or going for a nature walk, bird watching and blending into the nature.
But that’s not all. You can pamper yourself with some Ayurveda spa treatment and enjoy in tranquillity. My recommendation: treat your special one with a candlelight dinner experience by the creek overlooking the waterfall!
Distance from Bengaluru:
280 km or 6 hours’ drive.
Best time to visit:
Coorg is good to go throughout the year but the monsoon season would be the perfect romantic time to visit
Hyatt Place Hampi
This upscale luxury hotel in Hampi is spread over 10 acres of land. It has 115 “smart-design” guestrooms and, if you like to have a luxurious holiday, there are seven rooms with private plunge pools and three suites with a spectacular and unrivalled view of the Sandur mountain range. The hotel located 27 km from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the erstwhile capital of the historical Vijayanagar Kingdom, Hampi.
Various activities that can be done in Hampi from historical landmarks to adventures like bouldering, visiting Anjaneya Hill, climbing Matanga Hill, cliff jumping, scooter ride, coracle ride are some of the unique experiences one can enjoy.
At the property, you can rejuvenate at the spa, dine by a picturesque venue overlooking the gardens or engage in a host of curated experiences in Hampi.
Distance from Bengaluru:
330 km or 6 hours’ drive
Best time to visit:
October to March
