Best hotels around Mumbai for a monsoon break

Even if it is only a weekend away from the city, you want an experience that beats the comfort of your home and brings out the best of the season

Prakruti Resort

Kashid beach is crowded during the summer, but is thankfully deserted during the rains. Prakruti Resort deserves all of its four stars for the location alone. Sprawled over a hundred acres, its 120 rooms, apartments or villas face the raging Arabian Sea. Each villa is constructed on a plot of 10,000 sq ft, with a lush lawn and a carefully tended garden. You cannot venture into the sea during the monsoon, but the misty beach is a great hangout.

The Verandah in the Forest

They choose to call this a non-hotel. A heritage property refurbished by the Neemrana Group, this hotel wears a particularly romantic charm during the monsoon. Hear the raindrops dance on the roof as you curl up with a book in one of the many themed rooms. When the weather permits, walk up to Matheran’s several lookout points, stroll down to the lake, or shop at the market, over roads where no cars are allowed.

Caza Commodore

Mandwa is often referred to as ‘The Hamptons of Mumbai’, thanks to the lovely holiday homes tucked away in its leafy lanes. Originally intended to be the retirement home of Commodore Mongia and his family, Caza Commodore is a gem of a boutique hotel for lovers of tranquillity. This Mediterranean-style villa has everything you need to feel right at home: luxurious bedrooms, swank bathrooms, a sheltered pool, and spa treatments to rejuvenate.

Beyond

Just a pleasant cycle ride away from India’s most popular vineyard is Beyond, a 32-room resort that is a haven for city folk. The gentle rain paints everything green, and a walk through the countryside is highly recommended. It can get quite chilly in the evenings, which is when you should head to the allday dining restaurant Café Rose. Warm up with a glass of wine before devouring the stunning array of organic and nutritious dishes.

Hilton Shillim Estate Resort & Spa

Set on the edge of the Pawna Lake, Hilton Shillim is perfect if you are in dire need of some rest and relaxation. The resort has 99 villas (no rooms here), each with butler service. Fifteen of these have private pools, where you can swim all day and even enjoy a Watsu massage while floating on water. The 70-acre spa zone has 17 therapy rooms that offer a mind-boggling 145 spa treatments, and if you want some quiet time, there’s a meditation cave where you can chant your stress away.