Nature Getaways to Skip the Holi Colours this Weekend
- Featured Travel & Hospitality
Staff Writer- 12 minutes read
When festivals land on Fridays, they are usually a gift—an automatic long weekend, and a perfect excuse to sit back and relax. But for those who aren’t in the mood to ‘not take it personally’ after being drenched in buckets of water, the city isn’t exactly the most peaceful place to be on Holi. This year, if you’d prefer to trade neon-streaked streets for quiet trails, wildlife, or mountain air, here are seven nature getaways to make the most of the break.
The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas
Sakalana, Uttarakhand
This Holi, The Westin Himalayas is swapping synthetic powders for flower petals of marigolds, roses, and jasmine, to create a fragrant, eco-conscious alternative to the festival. The Phoolon Wali Holi marries both tradition with sustainability, letting guests revel in colour without harming the environment. When the sun sets behind the mountains, the property’s in-house restaurant, Akasa will present the Undivided India menu for guests to relish post their celebrations.
The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort
Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh
The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort places guests at the doorstep of Bandhavgarh National Park, home to one of the world’s highest tiger populations. Luxury tents with private gardens and villas with secluded pools offer an elegant retreat between safari adventures. At the lakefront restaurant, regional and international dishes take centre stage, while The Oberoi Spa provides customised treatments to unwind after a day in the wild. Expert-led game drives bring rare encounters with Bengal tigers, leopards, and sloth bears, while cultural excursions reveal Madhya Pradesh’s ancient history and traditions.
CGH Earth Saha Coorg Wild Walk
Coorg, Karnataka
CGH Earth Saha Coorg Wild Walk sits on a coffee estate near Kutta’s Nanachi Gate, minutes from Nagarhole National Park. This four-bedroom villa offers an intimate stay on the edge of the forest, where bird calls and rustling leaves set the tone. Guests can book individual rooms or the entire villa for a private retreat. Picture windows frame the lush estate, while semi-open lounges and dining areas bring the outdoors in. Out in the wild, naturalist-led walks, birdwatching, and safaris offer close encounters with Nagarhole’s elephants, tigers, and rare birds.
Relais & Châteaux SUJÁN The Serai
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Set on a 100-acre private estate in the Thar Desert, Relais & Châteaux SUJÁN The Serai reimagines the royal caravan sites of Rajputana. Its SUJÁN Spa, designed by Rosamund Freeman-Atwood, offers treatments using Thar-sourced ingredients and healing herbs. Four tented therapy rooms sit within a peaceful walled garden, where guests can unwind with reflexology, scrubs, and massages. Yoga and meditation sessions add to the retreat’s restorative experience, making it quite an oasis in the dunes.
Aramness Gir
Gir Somnath, Gujarat
Aramness Gir offers front-row access to the last remaining Asiatic lions, with expert-led safaris through Gir’s rugged landscape. Designed by Nicolas Plewman Architects and Fox Browne Creative, the lodge mirrors the style of Africa’s top safari stays. Its one- and two-bedroom Gujarati kothis come with private pools, outdoor decks, and terraces. Beyond game drives, guests can join guided jungle and village walks, try pottery with local artisans, or dine on Kathiawadi specialities like bajra rotla and undhiyu.
The LaLiT Resort & Spa Bekal
Bekal, Kerala
The LaLiT Resort & Spa Bekal stretches along the Nombili River, with an internal lagoon leading to a white sand beach. This Kasaragod retreat offers 38 suites, each with a private jacuzzi for a relaxed stay. A 3,500-square-foot banquet hall caters to events, while pathways lined with coconut trees connect the suites, spa, and dining spaces. Guests can kayak through the backwaters, unwind at the award-winning Rejuve spa, or visit Bekal Fort for sweeping views of the Arabian Sea. The on-site restaurants serve coastal specialities, from Malabar prawn curry to fluffy appams, rounding out the Kerala experience.
Oleander Farms
Karjat, Maharashtra
Perched on 180 acres of hills and lakes, Oleander Farms makes space for a slower-paced Holi weekend. The Holi Mela lays out quite the spread with Akashi Clothing, a Thandai Bar, free golas, and Jyotish readings, the day ending in a meal at Saltt cooked with seasonal ingredients. Founded by the Ahuja family, the property, with lake view cottages and sprawling green landscapes, balances a slice of farm living with modern comforts. Between open-air dining, shaded pathways, and wide verandas, it’s a spot to unwind without stepping too far from good food and lively gatherings.
