Make Love Romantic: India's Most Charming B&BS

Set Amidst Forests, Coffee and Tea Plantations, Orchid or Cardamom Gardens, Perched by the Lakeside or on the Banks of Rivers, Whether High Up in the Mountains or Down by a Beach, These Homestays and Bed-and-breakfasts Have the Ability to Evoke Love in All Kinds of Places.

UNDER THE HIMALAYAS

Between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the hills, mountain streams, orchards, and woods create India’s traditionally romantic holiday region. Earlier, the home stays here were basic but now you find tastefully decorated boutique properties, mostly owned by the Delhi-elite, perched with vantage views. Here, homeowners are working with locals to create sustainable tourism and promote local produce and craft.

 Cottage Amidst Apple Orchards, Kotgarh

This pretty cottage is located in the midst of an apple orchard in Kotgarh, about 75 kilometres from Shimla. Apart from the cosy interiors, it offers guided tours of the village and informative orchard tours. In the evenings, bonfires are lit and wonderful barbecues are arranged. While there, taste locally-grown peaches, kiwis and apples, and the cook’s hearty rendition of local cuisine. If you must go out on excursions, there are lovely old churches nearby, and the Sadhu Sangh caves.

The White Peaks Homestay, Gagar

The White Peaks is a quaint, pet-friendly summer home of Abhijit and Aparupa Ganguly and their two adopted mutts. It stands amidst a fragrant oak and rhododendron forest, has stunning views of the white Himalayas, and gets a generous dusting of powdery soft snow through deep winter. The owners have decorated the house with lots of character, with books, warmth, and lovely furnishings. Come for lazy days, bask in the mellow sunshine, and to let your dogs run free in the meadows that surround.

Soulitude in the Himalayas, Nainital