The Indian getaways made for a 72-hour escape

We get it. Everyone’s on the lookout for an escape from the din and drudgery of daily life. While a trip to the South of France or the Swiss Alps might remain on the vision board for a little longer, there’s plenty of reason to look closer to home. Because why not book and relish the little pleasures that are well within your reach and truly offer a bang for your buck? 

From palatial retreats and desert hideaways to heritage addresses and wilderness escapes, these Indian stays make the case for taking a few days off, slowing down, and letting somewhere new do the rest.

Slohh by Roach, Whitefield, Bengaluru

Slohh by Roach, a Curio Collection by Hilton, is Bengaluru’s first plantation-inspired urban address that brims with the spirit of a Malnad home while staying rooted in Whitefield’s older identity. 

A family-run undertaking, the property boasts an array of homegrown offerings, steeped in nostalgia. Case in point: The coffee programming draws from the family’s St. Anthony’s Estate, while Nana’s—a signature all-day dining restaurant within the hotel—brings together family recipes, regional flavours, and cooking styles passed down through generations to your table. Sink your teeth into authentic home-style preparations like Malnad fish curry, Akki roti, and a lunch sambar that’s best savoured than spoken of. 

The Sawantwadi Palace, Konkan Region, Maharashtra

Run by 19th-generation royals trained at the Le Cordon Bleu and Culinary Institute of America, this stunningly restored palace features just six exclusive suites and is tucked away within the historic queen’s quarters. Enchanting much? Totally! Guests are treated to a fresh kokum sherbet and invited to spend an evening in the courtyard, enjoying royal Maratha high tea. Start your day early by walking down to the palace workshop to sit with the artisans who continue to practise Ganjifa, the traditional art of hand-painted playing cards. In the evening, sit down for a tasting menu that brings together Malvani flavours and global influences, curated by the chef-royals. Don’t forget to take a morning walk through the local wooden-toy maker alleys, followed by a balmy afternoon swim in the palace pool overlooking the serene internal courtyard gardens. This one’s ideal for your Instagram feed as much as it is off it.

 Mihir Garh, Near Jodhpur, Rajasthan

If you live up north ( Delhi NCR), take this as a sign to book a stay at this majestic sandcastle (or at least that’s the view from the Thar Desert), which offers just nine ultra-luxury suites, each with a private plunge pool/ jacuzzi. The hand-crafted mud walls and open courtyards exude a feeling of regality. If you plan to host a pause party for yourself or your bestie, this is where you’ve got to be. Spend the afternoon watching the sun dip below the desert horizon right from your private terrace pool. There’s ample room to explore activities like riding the estate’s rare, royal Marwari horses through the dunes. Tuck into a curated Shikar dinner—a torch-lit, culinary feast out in the wild desert under a canopy of stars or take a morning village safari to connect with the local Bishnoi community. If the novelty of a local experience is what you’re chasing, this is it. 

The Belgadia Palace, Mayurbhanj, Odisha

It’s one thing to revel in the modern-day marvels and comforts of a five-star address and completely another to soak in the comforts of a boutique property, Victorian-era grandeur and purposeful luxury. An 18th-century, double-storied boutique palace is run by a young royal family who turned the property into a hub for sustainable art and heritage. An artist’s delight, this is where you must head if you’d like to put your phone on aeroplane mode and block out the world for a few hours to wander through grand corridors filled with oil paintings and antique furniture. 

Besides history and art, this is the right spot to sample traditional Odia royal recipes passed down through generations. Spend the day exploring local tribal villages to watch artisans cast metal using the ancient Dokra technique, followed by an exclusive evening performance of the regal Chhau martial arts dance on the palace lawns. Take a morning trip to the nearby Similipal Biosphere Reserve to see hidden waterfalls and ancient forests, and call it a day on a royal note, but not without sipping a relaxing tea in the palace’s curated library. 

JW Marriott Ranthambore Resort & Spa, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan

Located barely about 10 minutes from Ranthambore National Park, this is a property that’s home to tigers, bears, and crocodiles, making it the ideal spot to experience the adrenaline rush that almost always comes with wildlife safaris. Besides a safari, this is where you can explore the natural, untainted beauty of Ranthambore on a guided nature trail. Don’t leave without feasting your eyes on Rajasthan's vibrant heritage with a traditional Kalbeliya folk dance performance. 

Perhaps the ultimate luxury is simply having nowhere else to be. Whether that means waking up to desert skies, lingering over a family recipe, wandering through centuries-old corridors, or disappearing into the wilderness, these stays offer a reminder that escape need not be extravagant in distance to feel extraordinary in experience.

So, the next time you find yourself dreaming of far-flung shores, consider looking a little closer to home. India is full of spectacular addresses that promise a change of pace, a sense of place and, most importantly, the chance to step away from the everyday and truly switch off.

Lead image: Pexels 

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