Mahabaleshwar is a very cliche destination when it comes to a long drive or a weekend getaway for the Puneites. Most of us have probably visited Mahabaleshwar more number of times than our age!! And no monsoon is ever complete without a trip to this hill station and some good food along the way.
But this usual destination can however take a turn for luxury and indulgence with Le Meridien Mahabaleshwar Resort and Spa. A venture by Bramha Corp, this 5-star property is one of the best in Mahabaleshwar and a lavish retreat surrounded by lush green forests.
First Impressions
Having reached the resort post lunch, we were ushered in to the reception desk for our check-in formalities. Right then, I was also handed over a map of the property with tiny markings locating all the areas for us to explore.
A battery operated open buggy then took us up the burrowing paths through dense greenery to our suite. As inviting as it could be, it was a luxurious suite complete with a modern freestanding bathtub and a controlled curtain for the glass bathroom that was totally calling for some well-deserved pampering and relaxation. The balcony opened out to some wonderful views of the beautifully landscaped property.
Soon after, we made us some piping hot chai as the sounds of the heavy monsoon rains of the hill station made the atmosphere absolutely mystical, magical and romantic for a couple looking to spend some quality time together. It was indeed the perfect start to our weekend getaway.
Relaxed evenings
Catching up on a lazy afternoon nap snuggled in our cozy bed with the pitter-patter of the raindrops outside, we then headed out to explore the property in the evening. The highlight was, of course, the rooftop infinity pool, of which we had already seen some amazing pictures on the internet while booking our stay.
The infinity pool is beautifully designed with colonnaded arches and the water overlooking the lush green valleys. What’s even better is that the swimming pool is temperature controlled for heating, which means, the chill in the weather during the monsoons or winters can play no spoil-sport for you to enjoy some amazing pool times!!
We ordered colourful cocktails and snacks at the pool bar, and spent some time lounging on the terrace admiring the view. As we got into the warm pool water, we were mesmerised at the serene sunset before us. With a complete forest cover in the valley till our eyes could see, experiencing such calm and peace at a destination so close to Pune was indeed unreal.
Lazying in the pool long after sunset, we then finally got out of the water and freshened up. A hot shower and a generous lather of some aromatic moisturisers, we were ready for our dinner date at the in-house fine dine restaurant, Chingari. Gladly, that night, we were one of the only 2 couples in the restaurant, and we had the place pretty much all to ourselves. Such are the perks of these times, that the musician performed for us right at our table and even complied to a few of our special requests as we sang along making our date night even more romantic. Delicious Indian food, although a full tummy, we were left wanting for more of the epic chicken biryani that the chef served us.
The stillness of the night, the sounds of insects, bollards lighting up the walkways, all made up for a perfect ending to the day as we walked back to our suite.
Fresh mornings
A late start to the day than usual, we got out of bed and ready to enjoy the highlight of our mornings on any holiday - the buffet breakfast! A scrumptious spread of a variety of cuisines, we started off with our staple fresh watermelon juice and some fruit. Moving onto the sweet and savory, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast and then went to explore the property some more. We clicked loads of pictures against the iconic yellow walls with ivory arches and also the huge wide staircase at the property entrance.
We walked past the kids outdoor adventure area, the leisure pool and the gardens before heading back to the room. A breakfast as good as a brunch, chilled beers, a game of Jenga and our favourite music on the speaker, we were quite set for the day.
And then we repeated our schedule for the afternoon and evening as we were not looking to do much for a relaxed weekend apart from self pampering.
With an amazing spa, this place is ideal for a 2N-3D stay, and is your ticket to a much-deserved weekend of luxury, self-care, pampering and relaxation.