Words by Bindu Gopal Rao
A property that is a great way to experience the ‘mountain life’ in a serene and comfortable space is what you will get when you visit jüSTa Mukteshwar Retreat and Spa. LLM contributor Bindu Gopal Rao checks in to this retreat to find out more.
Hotel
Spread over two acres, jüSTa Mukteshwar Retreat and Spa has 32 rooms built over different levels and is located about 7500 feet above sea level. The property is itself on an elevation which offers stunning views of the natural landscape that surround it.
Special mention must be made of the artwork that is part of the property. You will see this everywhere from the reception to the restaurant and the rooms. Ashish Vohra, founder and CEO, jüSTa Hotels and Resorts, said: “all our artwork is original and we have an annual art residency called Chitrashaala which sees national and international artists come together to make artwork at one of our properties.”
His wife, acclaimed fashion designer, Deepika Govind added: “This is a cause that is close to our heart and we ensure that we give artists a platform to showcase their talent and be inspired by the location of the art residency.” Incidentally, the fifth edition of Chitrashaala was recently held in this property that saw 49 artists come together to create and speak about art.
Room
I checked into a room with a hill view and as I drew the curtains of my balcony, I saw a fabulous view of the snow-capped Nandi Devi peaks of the Himalayan range. The crisp mountain air and the view from the balcony was a great first impression.
The room itself is spacious and comes with a king-sized bed, an attached bath, study table, dresser, and amenities like free Wi-Fi, coffee maker, LED television and more. The property has three categories of rooms including the Himalayan view room (where I stayed), forest view room (that overlooks the dense pine and oak forests) and premier rooms (that are the most spacious and luxurious ones here).
Food and drink
The in-house restaurant serves a mix of cuisines that includes both Indian, Asian, and Continental fare and there is a buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, based on occupancy.
If you are interested in trying the local fare, check with chef and you can sample an authentic meal of the region that includes dishes made from local greens, lentils, chicken, and mutton that work well with the finger millet breads that are wholesome and healthy. Look out for the local touches to the menu when you are here and you will not be disappointed.
Wellness facilities
Being in the hills, the best way to enjoy the vistas is to stay in and make the most of the facilities. The in-house Sansha spa is a great way to relax and have a holiday that is rejuvenating. One of the spa rooms here overlooks the mountains and a must try is the classic fusion, a Sansha signature that has been created to incorporate the best of classic, Western, Oriental Chinese techniques, Thai stretches, and Swedish strokes to reduce muscle stiffness and get you to a state of deep relaxation.
If you like swimming, the heated, indoor pool and the jacuzzi is the place to be.
To do
A typical day at jüSTa Mukteshwar Retreat and Spa starts with a nature trek with the in-house guide Ramesh who is fabulous at spotting birds. If you wake up on time, it is worth taking this guided trek as you will spot several bird species that are native to this region. I spotted among many other species like the white capped redstart, magpie, white fronted woodpecker and more.
When you are here, it is recommended that you visit the Mukteshwar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, as well as the Chauli ki Jali, from where you can soak in majestic views of the landscape and the mountains. If you are looking to shop, there is a Fair-Trade store called Kilmora that has handicrafts and local produce that stocks a range of wool accessories, grains, legumes, kitchen herbs, apricot skincare products and clothes.
In a nutshell
A visit to Mukteshwar is like no other – it is not just the crisp and clear mountain air here; it is a lesson in sustainable living that is what you are very likely to take back when you leave.
Factbox
Bareilly Airport is the closest airport located about five hours away.
Rooms can be booked from £80 pppn.
Address: Village Saliyakot, Tehsil Dhari, Mukteshwar, District Nainital, Uttarakhand 263132
Phone: +91 9520 899 801, +91 9520 899 802; Reservations – +91 9590 777 000
Email: book@justahotels.com
Website: justahotels.com/justa-mukteshwar-retreat-spa
Images courtesy of jüSTa Mukteshwar Retreat and Spa
