TALK OF TOWN
Five reasons to visit the Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa
The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort and Spa, Chandigarh, is a destination hotel that compels you to stay. Since it is the latest addition in the brand’s bouquet of Vilas’ that bear the imprint of luxury, you know you are in for a real treat. Here are the top five reasons why you should pack your chicest bags and head here.
Mother of all spas This is the brand’s first all-out spa resort and they have gone out on a limb to create a spa treatment; one that’s high on space and low on whimsical frills. What’s been a real coup for the brand has been the appointment of one of the finest ayurvedic doctors to lead the team. From a Turkish hammam to multiple saunas, a terrace for yoga, therapy rooms, ayurvedic massages and consultations and a focused nutrition programme, a visit here is a must for those looking for a personalised detox programme and does not compel them to stick to menu-driven treatments.
Premium on privacy The other thing we loved about the property was the sense of space. Trust The Oberoi
Group to be lavish in its room spacing. This spatial windfall is one of the biggest luxuries at the resort. At a time when personal homes are shrinking, the ability to make guests feel like kings of their castle (or tent in this case) is highly appreciated. Do the maths: each of the temperature-controlled royal forest tents are built on 800 square feet of land, and there are only nine in number spread over eight acres of land.
Design lover’s paradise In keeping with the spirit of the Vilas brand and its architectural heritage, this property too harks back to the palaces and old Mughal and Rajput architecture using styles and motifs that are identifiable. The courtyards are aesthetically created and there is a happy mix of the colonial and contemporary throughout the property as you flit between arches, frescoes and gold leaf covered ceilings. With teak floors, deep white tubs overlooking green, and private pools (attached to the tents) what’s not to love? The spacious terraces and water bodies dotting the landscape of the hotel add to the feeling of calm. Dine like a king You can write your own food story at Sukhvilas. The menu is clearly tailored to bring a bit of the pind (village) back into your life. The jaggery is sourced fresh off the fire from a village near the resort. Delicious hand churned white butter accompanies every Indian meal. While the menu definitely leans on the North Indian side, you can pretty much ask the kitchen to prepare what you want at Sukhvilas. It is indulgence of the highest form as the chef not only whips up old Indian staples but is also happy to present them to you with a modern twist.
Natural luxury Given that The Oberoi Sukhvilas is surrounded by over 8,000 acres of protected forest, you really are in the thick of green. Being at the foothills of the Himalayas means that you get to enjoy a milder climate in summer. The forest also gives you ample opportunity for hiking, mountain biking or just walking, as you slip away from reality for just a few luxurious moments.