While most of my adventures take me to far away places, I never let go of an opportunity to explore whats near and close to me. Last month, an opportunity like that came calling and the next day I set out to explore two magical bungalows in Lonavala.
Although Lonavala is one of the most popular weekend destination for Mumbai and Pune dwellers, it still holds its own hidden secrets. Through my travels, I have come to realise that no matter how touristy or commercialised a place may be, it will definitely have its charming, secret elements.
Over three days, I explored two beautiful and quaint bungalows in Lonavala. Both houses are ideal for small groups of friends and families looking for scenic surroundings and a space to spend some quiet, quality time together. The bungalows are uniquely designed and welcome their travellers with fresh mountain breeze and soulful greenery.
THE ARTISTS BUNGALOW
I decided to name this house the artists bungalow because it is truly a piece of art. All the way from its design and form to the smallest of artefacts on display, each and every element of the house is stylish, inviting and full of character.
As soon as I entered the small red gate of the bungalow, I was welcomed by lush greenery and a simple looking brick and stone house. Little did I know of the wonders inside it. The care-taker, Sonal, took me inside the the house and I was astonished to see how beautifully the house was constructed.
The house welcomes its travellers with an open air courtyard that has a massive tree growing right in the centre of the house. Beautiful hanging flower baskets greet you, the large and airy rooms welcome you and the balconies provide beautiful view points for the valley below. I knew I was going to have a very calm and relaxing stay at this house.
The bungalow has 2 bedrooms, one living room, an attic and lots of indoor and outdoor hang out spaces. My favourite parts of the house were the central courtyard and the attic, where I spent most of my time with a book, a warm cup of ginger chai and this beautiful tree right next to the window where I sat.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Location
The house is located 15 minutes away from the main Lonavala market
Best suited for
Couples, small groups of friends and families. The house can accommodate a maximum of 8 adults.
Best time to visit
It's beautiful all year round.
Tariff
Rs. 5,500 - Rs. 6,500 per night depending on the suite. The price is for 2 adults, inclusive of breakfast. There is an in-house care-taker who can prepare lunch and dinner on prior notice and extra charges. Otherwise, there are lots of restaurants around where you can go eat or order in.
To plan your stay at the Artists Bungalow, please contact me at kritika@wanderbug.in
THE VINTAGE HOUSE
My next stop was another bungalow, quite different from the other one I visited. Perched atop a hill, the house overlooks the Mumbai-Pune expressway and the valley below. The original house was built over 50 years ago and still exudes an old world charm.
I parked my car in the car park and made my way into the house through a small white door. Although, the care-taker, Dagdoo bhaiya, insisted that I enter the house through the main entrance, I couldn’t resist entering through this small white door, which looked so enchanting! As I walked through this vintage house, I was welcomed by a splash of vibrant colours and my gaze was stuck on all the gorgeous tiles used on the floor. I was excited to call this charming bungalow home for the next 2 days!
The house has 2 bedrooms in the main building, a glass room at a lower level, a large balcony, a small garden and a living and dining area. It is a fun place for a group of friends or a group of families travelling together and offers various indoor and outdoor spaces for big groups to hang out.
There are two bedrooms in the main building, and an independent room on the lower level called 'The Glass House', a sweet little hideaway for couples. The whole house is vibrant and full of bright colours. I really liked the floral upholstery used in the bedrooms and the splashes of colour everywhere!
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Location
The house is located 15 minutes away from the main Lonavala market
Best suited for
Couples, small groups of friends and families. The house can accommodate a maximum of 10 adults.
Best time to visit
It's beautiful all year round.
Tariff
Rs. 3,800 - Rs. 5,000 per night depending on the room. The price is for 2 adults, inclusive of breakfast. There is an in-house care-taker who can prepare lunch and dinner on prior notice and extra charges. Otherwise, there are lots of restaurants around where you can go eat or order in.
To plan your stay at the Vintage Bungalow, please contact me at kritika@wanderbug.in
A big shout out to my hosts, Gooseberry Holiday Homes, for hosting me and allowing me to experience such beauty and serenity in Lonavala!
