5 EXCITING ALTERNATIVES TO STAYING IN A HOTEL IN INDIA

If you’re passionate about travelling, after a while staying in hotels becomes a little monotonous.For travellers who wish to be a little adventurous and experience a vacation like never before there are several off beat options available which don’t involve comprising on the comforts one is used to.

We’ve compiled a list of 5 off beat accommodations available in India to the hotel weary traveller.

1. TREE HOUSES: Offering excellent facilities tree houses, perched on tree tops,are a great way to unwind and relax in the privacy of your well appointed rooms or make use of your balconies and get a feel of your surroundings. Surrounded by either hills, valleys or sometimes in the thick of dense jungles ,with wild life, you can take your pick from what you want out of your vacation.

Viewing Nature from a Different Angle. Photo Credit: Nature Zone Resort

Viewing Nature from a Different Angle. Photo Credit: Nature Zone Resort

Several activities are at your disposals in these luxurious tree house hotels including jeep safaris, bird watching, trekking and nature walks to name a few.

India offers a wide selection of tree house accommodation to the you. We mention a few here to suit your vacation plans.

The Machan Tree House, Lonavala, Maharashtra
Tree House Hideaway, Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh
Vythiri, Wayanad, Kerala
The Himalayan Village, Kasol, Himachal Pradesh
Nature Zone Resort, Munnar, Kerala,

2. GLAMPING: Glamping or Luxury Camping gives a whole new definition to camping. These luxury camps introduce the discerning traveler to an entirely different experience in mountains, deserts, jungles, beaches and the countryside.

Glamping does not always mean taking away comforts, sometimes it means adding new comforts. Photo Credit: Sher Bagh, Ranthambore

Glamping does not always mean taking away comforts, sometimes it means adding new comforts. Photo Credit: Sher Bagh, Ranthambor

There is ample opportunity for you to entertain yourself with an array of activities like river rafting, jungle safaris, trekking, hiking or taking off on a family picnic in picturesque surroundings.
Camp in style and enjoy the excellent meals offered on site.

Here we provide a list of some luxury camps in India. The list gives a mix of camps depending on your varied interests.

Amarya Shamiana, Mandrem, Goa
Sherbagh, Ranthambore, Rajasthan
Grassorts, Wayanad, Kerala
Double Humped Camp, Ladakh
The Binsar Retreat, Almora, Uttrakhand

3.HOUSES ON STILTS: Built primarily over water or the surface of soil, stilt houses offer a unique way of enjoying your vacation. Travellers who wish to experience the outdoors and get off the beaten track these houses,on stilts,mostly far away from regular touristy spots let you indulge the nature lover in you and get away from the chaos and noise in the cities. Be it boat rides, nature walks, bird watching, cultural interactions with the locals these houses come as a great travel option.

A raised view of the world from your home on stilts. Photo Credit: Diphlu River Lodge

A raised view of the world from your home on stilts. Photo Credit: Diphlu River Lodge

Here we list some for you to choose from.

The Diphlu River Lodge, Kaziranga National Park, Assam
Camp River Wild, Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Meriyanda Nature Lodge, Coorg, Karnataka
My Garden of Eden, Wayanad, Kerala
The Flying Elephants, Havelock, Andamans

4. HOUSE BOATS: Floating on water in these luxurious boats,as comfortable as hotels,is a novel way to just go with the flow of things.These house boats are either moored to the banks of the river or are typically motorised, to let you float aimlessly in tranquil surroundings. Comfortably luxurious rooms with balconies allow you to simply sit back with a book and view the serenity the calm expanse of water comes with.

Cruising down the backwaters, eating freshly prepared food and reading your favourite book. Photo Credit: Kerala River Cruises

Cruising down the backwaters, eating freshly prepared food and reading your favourite book = bliss. Photo Credit: Kerala River Cruises

There are day trips and overnight ones as well. Off- boat sightseeing is also possible during the day. Enjoy your meals prepared on the boats and make the most of this wonderful experience of floating on water and simply being.

Pick from this list we’ve compiled for you.

The Shelter Group of Houseboats, Srinagar, Kashmir
Heaven Breeze Group of House Boats,
Kerala River Cruises, Kerala
Spice Coast Cruises, Kerala

5. BEACH HUTS: Yet another off beat accommodation for travellers who wish to get away from regular hotel stays, are these luxury huts on river and beach banks.

They come with all the trappings of urban existence and are an excellent getaway for travellers who can’t get enough of water activities. Swim or indulge in water sports of your choice, the option is yours.Spacious bedrooms,en suite bathrooms, tastefully done up with modern fittings, and patios or verandah’s which give you an ideal place to view the sunset or sip on your evening tea is an indulgence you can’t afford to miss.

A room by the water where the first thing you can do is wake up and dip your toes. Photo Credit: Golven Resorts, Vengurla

A room by the water where the first thing you can do is wake up and dip your toes. Photo Credit: Golven Resorts, Vengurla

Listed here are some getaways you can choose from.

Green Park Beach Huts Resort, Palolem, Goa
Golven Beach Resort, Vengurla, Maharashtra
The Art Resort, Palolem, Goa
Rishikesh Valley, Rishikesh