HISTORY IS IN VOGUE
ORANGE COUNTY, HAMPI
Hampi is a traveller’s paradise; the small town and neighbouring Hospet have always been popular among budget travellers, with little on offer for the luxury traveller. But Orange County Luxury Resorts, newly opened and located in Kamalapura, a few kilometres from the ancient ruins, does more than fill this void. Designed like a palace with the local architecture in mind, the resort makes you feel like royalty. Arched corridors, water bodies and paved paths guide you to your room.
The Nivasa Deluxe Suite, the base category room is much larger than an average hotel room with high ceilings, wooden beams, and antique-inspired furniture with brass accents. The room has separate living and dining areas in addition to a king-sized four poster bed and dressing space. Every room comes with a private Jacuzzi and sit-out. Bathed in soft evening light, the sandstone inspired architecture looks majestic. The property has two restaurants, Samovar and Tuluva. With a candle-lit aura, Samovar offers a North Indian menu, while Tuluva is a multi-cuisine restaurant which overlooks an infinity pool, caters to all palates with a few Vijayanagara specialities drawn from its ancient cuisine.
With weak mobile signals and WiFi connectivity limited to the lobby, it’s the perfect refuge from city stresses. Vaidysala, the spa, offers treatments to further the cause of detox. Activities like guided walks along the Raya Trail and the Virupaksha trail allow glimpses into the life and times of the Vijayanagara empire, a journey that may well lead you to discover many a thing about yourself amid the ruins.