10 Offbeat Weekend Getaways from Mumbai – Part 2

Weekend Getaways from Mumbai

By Sarita Santoshini

We recommended 10 of our offbeat properties a few weeks ago (Read: 10 Offbeat Weekend Getaways from Mumbai ) and overwhelmed by your response, we decided to hand-pick ten more Farm Houses and Villas that you could consider for a weekend getaway from Mumbai.

Select, book and drive away for a break with your loved ones!

 

#1. Luxury Farm house with a private lake in Karjat 

Luxury Farm house in Karjat

Luxury Farm House in Karjat

Luxury Farm house in Karjat

This beautiful farm house, with a man-made private lake circling the property, is spread across 15 acres of verdant land in Karjat, a 2 hour drive away from Mumbai. Skillfully designed by an interior designer, a landscapist and an artist, the farm house is a work of art of its own – there are handcrafted stone sculptures and lanterns, potted plants, and handpicked furniture adding to the charm of the four bedrooms and the rest of the property. There are a number of verandas, artist studios, an inviting pool with space for outdoor lunch, and a foliage-shaded trellis. You can also choose to spend your time biking or fishing.

Click here to learn more or to book.

 

#2. Lake side retreat in Alibaug

Weekend Getaways from Mumbai

Weekend Getaways from Mumbai

Located in the interiors of the beautiful Chaul village in Alibuag, approximately 15 minute drive from Revadanda beach, is this beautiful luxury property. Spread across 5 acres, it does not just lie surrounded by lush greenery but is also adjacent to a beautiful lake which is a hot spot for migratory birds and spotted ducks – perfect place for walks, fishing and lounging. Other than the 4 spacious rooms that guarantee a comfortable stay, the charm of the cottage lies in the décor of its living room which has been very tastefully done with antiques, comfortable sofas, a small prayer corner and some beautiful Shivaji Maharaja paintings.  Outside, there are large outdoor swings, a tiled swimming pool and a large lawn. If you wish, you can even spend a night in a camp outside!

Click here to learn more or to book. 

 

#3. Beautiful Beach Villa in Korlai

Beach Villa in Korlai

Beach Villa in Korlai

About 25 km further from Alibaug is the coastal village of Korlai where this beautiful Beach Villa lies. The Villa stands on a stretch of white sand, with the Arabian Sea in front and green mountains at its backdrop, making it a perfect getaway from Mumbai. You can see hints of Goan and Portuguese style architecture in the interiors of the large living room, dining hall and the two bedrooms, one of which comes with a bunk bed for kids. Outside, there’s a mezzanine, a veranda overlooking the sea, a garden that stretches to the beach, and the Korlai Fort just a short walk away.

Click here to learn more or to book.

 

#4. A Lovely Villa with a courtyard in Lonavala

Villa in Lonavala

Villa in Lonavala

Built around a courtyard, which has a 50 year old Jamun tree beautifully towering from its centre, this Villa in Lonavala makes for a perfect weekend getaway with your family or partner. The villa has two charming suits that you can choose from – one on the ground floor that opens out into the veranda and the other on the first floor that comes with a balcony overlooking the garden and the valley. There’s a living room, manicured lawn and plenty of outdoor seating where you can lounge or enjoy the meals which the in-house cook delicious whips up.

Click here to learn more or to book.

 

#5. A Beautiful Villa near Awas Beach in Alibaug

Villa in Alibaug

Villa in Alibaug

This gorgeous Villa, with a manicured lawn and swimming pool, lies a short drive away from Mandwa Jetty and a short walk away from the untouristy stretch of Awas Beach. Perfect for a large family or group of friends, the villa has four spacious bedrooms, one of which even has a separate bunk bed for kids. There’s plenty of space to unwind – a lounge room where you can play board games or watch TV, a hall that extends to the deck of the swimming pool, three outdoor pergolas where you can soak up nature or enjoy your meals, a basketball court, and an outdoor Jacuzzi as well.

Click here to learn more or to book.

 

#6. Cottage surrounded by 6 acres of farm near Khopoli

Farm house near Khopoli

Farm house near Khopoli

Farm house near Khopoli

Located about 100 km from Mumbai and a 30 minute drive from the theme park, Adlabs Imagica, this farm house serves as a perfect culture retreat. You can opt for either the two-bedroom or the three-bedroom cottage, each of which has well-designed bedrooms, a spacious living room and porch areas where you can spend your time unwinding. The highlight of the stay is definitely the local food – the in-house cooks whip up Kolhapuri cuisine, Malvani style cuisine or the lesser known Bhusawal style cuisine as per your request. If you still want to venture out, there’s a stream nearby that you can dip into or you can trek a jungle path that leads to an ancient Jatayu temple.

Click here to learn more or to book.

 

#7. Ecologically balanced country homes in Pali

Country homes in Raigad district

Ecologically balanced homes in Pali

Drive 100 km from Mumbai to this off the road property in Pali where the hosts have recreated all the simple elements of village life, like fields, orchards, temple, pond, waterfall, farm animals, and country homes made with natural materials, within seven acres of land. There are cottages themed and designed on the four elements of nature – Jal is a mud and brick cottage that has been beautifully painted by a Warli artist, Vayu is a bamboo cottage, Prithvi is a stone house that has been fashioned like a hunting lodge and comes with a fireplace, and Aakash is a wood cottage that stands tall on stilts. Here, you can simply relax and soak up nature or enjoy simple activities like fishing, rowing, farm visits and bullock cart rides.

Click here to learn more or to book.

 

#8. Villa near Dapoli Beach 

Villa near Dapoli Beach

Villa near Dapoli Beach

If you’re looking for a place that offers you all the comfort and activity that you seek during a weekend getaway, then these Villas in Dapoli, located 5 hours away from Mumbai, are your best option. There are a number of single bedroom and double bedroom villas to pick from, each of which come with verandas, living rooms and kitchens. There are plenty of activities to keep you busy – cycles are available on rent, there are volleyball and badminton courts, rifle shooting arena, many board games to choose from, and even a guided jungle safari at night. If you want to relax, opt for a spa treatment, fish pedicure or Ayurvedic massage, all available in-house.

Click here to learn more or to book.

 

#9. Beach View Bungalow in Guhagar

Beach view Bungalow in Guhagar

Bungalow in Guhagar

Located in a small fishing village about 280 km from Mumbai and 5 km from the town of Guhagar, atop a small hillock and far away from city life, is this beautiful farm house. It lies nestled between forest cover on one side and a stunning view of Guhagar beach on the other, and makes for an ideal place to experience the unique flavour of Coastal Maharashtra. The simplicity of the rooms is made up for by the large number of activities on offer. Guests can explore the village, go for walks through the forest and opt for bird watching trips with the friendly host who’ll also tell you about the efforts he’s made in the field of agriculture in his village. The 5 hour drive to Guhagar is definitely worth it.

Click here to learn more or to book.

 

#10. Beach facing Bungalow in Malgund near Ganpatipule

Beach facing Villa in Malgund

Beach facing Villa in Malgund

Beach facing Villa in Malgund

Perfect for a long weekend with the family or friends, these beach facing Villas in Malgund are located about 32o km away from Mumbai and 4 km from the beach town of Ganpatipule. While one Villa comes with two bedrooms and the other with three, both have spacious living rooms, equipped kitchens, and large verandas where you can lounge in the comfortable chairs and enjoy the view of the beach. If you do choose to get out, the hosts readily arrange for beach sports and activities.

Click here to learn more or to book.

 

Click here to check out other similar stunning homestays in Maharashtra’s pristine coastline – Konkan.  A land of untouched beaches, beautiful temples and unexplored backwaters.

And click here to visit SaffronStays and book from more than 1000 homestays across India.

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Which of these retreats would you like to getaway to during the coming weekends? Share with us in your comments. 

 

About the author: Born and raised in Assam, Sarita Santoshini has been travelling around India and penning down her experiences over the past year. She currently works as the Content Editor for SaffronStays. You can read more of her travelogues on her blog- http://crumbsfromyourtale.wordpress.com.

8 leisurely things you could do in Ratnagiri!

Ratnagiri Homestays

Ratnagiri, with its beautiful beach towns and friendly locals, makes for  a perfect holiday destination in Maharashtra. The Sahyadris border Ratnagiri to the east and farms of rice, coconuts, cashews and various fruits shade the roads, making it a nature lover’s haven. The region also boasts a prosperous fishing industry which allows for some excellent Konkan cuisine. What is also very interesting is the fact that a lot of locals have started family run Homestays, Bed & Breakfasts and Villas that allow guests simple yet scenic stay options during their getaway. If all this isn’t enough reason to drive down to Ratnagiri, we are sharing 8 things to do here that no one told you about before!

#1. Enjoy Scenic Seashore Drives

While driving from Ganpatipule towards the town of Ratnagiri, the sky and sea blend together to make a blue vista that will keep you company through your travels. The 25 kilometre drive is scenic and calming. A drive to Guhagar (52 kilometres from Ganpatipule) will take you through acres of mango farms and the drive further to Dapoli (46 km from Guhagar) will introduce you to more beaches, small villages, backwaters and shades of green.

Click here to know more about this place

#2. Take leisurely strolls on Unspoilt Beaches

Ratnagiri Homestays
Sunset in Dapoli Beach. Photo by Anurag
Coastal Maharashtra Homestays
Malgund Beach dotted by a hundred odd migratory sea gulls. Photo by Sarita

If you’re looking for clean, empty beaches, look no further than Ratnagiri. During your drive from Ganpatipule to Ratnagiri, you’ll be tempted to park your car by the road and walk towards the white stretch of white sand. There’s Malgund Beach that remains dotted by migratory birds during winter and Mandvi Beach, which is famous for Ratnadurga Fort at its other end. Guhagar and Dapoli Beach too remain relatively free from crowd and you can enjoy a number of water activities there. Make the time to lounge by the sea-side, soaking in the sun rays of coastal Maharashtra.

#3. Treat yourself to delicious Konkani cuisine

Maharashtra homestays
A delicious Konkani spread . Photo Source : Mid-day.com
Maharashtra Homestays
Homestay hosts in Ratnagiri prepare some delicious local meals in a chulha. Photo by Deven

Ratnagiri is an ideal district to satisfy your craving for sea food. The Konkani cuisine that is characteristic of Coastal Maharashtra is available in abundance, and is inexpensive, too. These dishes are made by adding generous amount of spices to fares caught fresh from the sea – pompfret, mackerel, surmai, prawns – you name it, you have it. Whether you decide on a beach resort or a roadside dhabba, you will find your tastebuds encountering signature dishes like masala pomfret, Malvan chicken curry and fried prawns with a plate full of rice or stacks of chapati.

Click here to know more about this place

#4. Stay in a beautiful Tree Hut in Dapoli

Ratnagiri Homestays
This beautiful tree hut is reason enough to visit Dapoli. Photo by Anurag
Ratnagiri Homestays
Enjoy time with family and friends in the outdoors during your stay. Photo by Anurag

Playing Tarzan has always been a particularly memorable childhood fantasy for most people. Let the dreams of your infancy take root quite literally at Dapoli, where you can wake up every morning and slumber every night high in your own treetop hut.  When you do decide to climb down, there are swings and hammocks in the property to lounge in, adventure sports to indulge in, and outdoor activities like bird watching and mountain climbing to experience. It doesn’t get better than this!

Click here to know more about this place

#5. Spend a day in a hill top farm house in Guhagar

Ratnagiri Homestays
The stunning location of the farm house in Guhagar. Photo by Anurag
Ratnagiri Homestays
Wake up to this view during your stay. Photo by Anurag

Located in a small fishing village about 5 km from the town of Guhagar, atop a small hillock and far away from city life, is this beautiful farm house. It lies nestled between forest cover on one side and a stunning view of Guhagar beach on the other, and makes for an ideal place to experience the unique flavour of Coastal Maharashtra. The simplicity of the rooms is made up for by the large number of activities on offer. Guests can explore the village, go for walks through the forest and opt for bird watching trips with the friendly host who’ll also tell you about the efforts he’s made in the field of agriculture in his village.

Click here to know more about this place

#6. Float Along on Ferries

Ratnagiri Homestays
The short ferry rides make a pleasant break between drives. Photo by Anurag
Maharashtra Homestays
Boating in the Vashist estuary is a great way to spend a few hours when in Chiplun. Photo by Deven

As a coastal district, Ratnagiri has a number of picturesque rivers along which boating is made available. Enjoy the spell of peace and tranquillity while the ferry ride progresses, leaving the heavy pulse of city life behind you at the shores. Instead of driving all the way to different beach towns, the ferry rides can be taken to shorten the length of the journey and enjoy a calm, scenic view. Ferries are available at various locations, such as the Bharja River at Kelshi, Dapoli, and along the Ganpatipule creek.

#7. Relive the Past

Ratnagiri Homestays
The beautiful Ratnadurg Fort and the vast sea that lies beyond. Photo source: maharashtratourism.gov.in
Ratnagiri Homestays
The breathtaking view from Mandangarg Fort. Photo source: konkanmotoexped.blogspot.in

Sea forts are one of the many beautiful attractions of this district. Couple your visit to Dapoli’s beaches with a trek up to Mandangad fort. Once there, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley and see the centuries old Canyon that it’s known for. There’s also Ratnadurg Fort which is located in the town of Ratnagiri. Built by the Bahamanis in the 16th century, this fort later became the property of the Adil Shahis. It is situated about 4 kilometres from the town’s centre and again, offers a great view of the town and the sea surrounding it.

#8. Spend a day in the wild

Ratnagiri Homestays
Safari in Chandoli National Park. Photo Source: bbc.com

Located at the junction of the Sangli, Kolhapur, and Ratnagiri District is the Chandoli National Park. The Park is home to  nearly 23 species of mammals, 122 species of birds and 20 species of amphibians and reptiles; all of these residing in the forests of Chandoli.  Some of these fauna include Bengal Tigers, Indian leopards, Indian bison, leopard cats, sloth bears and Indian giant squirrels, thus allowing it to take its natural place on your must-visit list while touring Ratnagiri.

What are your favourite experiences in Ratnagiri? Share them with us in your comments. 

Visit our website to book homestays in Ratnagiri and rest of Coastal Mahrashtra.

 

About the author: Alaric Moras spends most of his time reading, writing and interning with industries that read and write. He aims to become a clinical psychologist, providing therapy and catching Freudian slips during the day, writing and reading through the night. He likes all manner of animals, the smell of books, and the oxford comma.