Goodbye Ordinary, Hello Extraordinary!

Tired of staying in the standard cookie cutter hotel rooms? You know what we’re talking about – The white linen bed, monotonous colours and a LED TV set. Basically rooms that lack character of any sort and are devoid of inspiration. We, for one, believe that escaping monotony is what holidays are all about. Why not skip the obvious and head to places with rooms that are far from the ordinary? From rooms straight out of a fairytale to beds set in the wild- there is a lot to be experienced. We bring to you 5 quirky retreats that surely will make your travels more livelier than usual.

1. Paatlidun Safari Lodge, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand

Paatildun Safari Lodge is an opulent wildlife lodge nestled in the foothills of Himalayas. They have Kumaoni-style cottages that are a seamless symphony of indoors and outdoors with a  private plunge-pool pool, cozy sit-outs and open air showers;  vintage furniture adds a colonial charm to these cottages. They also have a grand standalone metallic bathtub which is the perfect spot to soak in the gorgeous views of the park. Additional to this the cottages have a winding staircase that leads up to the ‘star bed’ – for those who fancy sleeping under a blanket of stars.

2. Hidden Burrow, Jibhi, Himachal Pradesh

A majestic tree house located in the picturesque paradise of Jibhi, Hidden Burrow is a unique retreat built on a tree to give you a chance to be close to nature. There are live tree trunks and branches that are interwoven with your room. It opens up to glorious views of the mountains and you can hear the soft sounds of the flowing river and a variety of mountain birds.The two balconies are both great spots to unwind and enjoy a cuppa as the day passes you by and in the evenings you can enjoy

3. Jamtara Wilderness Camp, Pench National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Situated in the village of Jamtara, near Pench National Park, this is a 10 luxury tented property in the heart of rural Pench but why sleep in a tent, when you can sleep on a star bed in the middle of the forest? This is exactly why the Jamtara makes it to this list – the star bed. Machaans are built high up on stilts accommodating a double 4 poster bed allowing for 2 people and each bed is fitted with mosquito netting, giving us the opportunity to view the fields for wildlife and the skies for constellations. Pretty romantic – don’t you agree?

4. Chamba Camp, Thiksey, Jammu & Kashmir

Located at the foot of the iconic Thiksey Monastery, this luxurious camp has been inspired by the explorers of the British Raj. The campsite has been made organic and sustainable through the assimilation of traditional, local knowledge. Beautifully-furnished and spacious, these tents treat you to a stunning 360° panorama of mystical mountains around.

5. Cottage Jeolikot, Nainital, Uttarakhand

Cottage Jeolikot is a gorgeous retreat with a fairy-tale ambience and is nestled at a height of 4200 feet above the sea level. Their rooms are a combination of a variety of styles and influences : colonial,  Kumaoni and modern. The cottage has a warm homey feel with floors adorned by warm Sheesham wood covered sparsely with patches of cotton dhurries and vintage Kumaoni carved wood used for windows, doors and frames, the shades of cotton for the curtains and lamp shades also mesh well with the wood work here.

So, where are you heading off to?