Hidden Gems in Uttarakhand: Why Mountain Homes Is Worth the Stay

We were so grateful that our research led us to Mountain Homes in Asankhet Village, Landsdowne. A few messages and a phone call later with Amit Singh, we set off for our reset. The icing on the cake, this quaint property is pet-friendly.

Stepping Away from Urban Rush

The reset was just what we wanted, sans electronic devices, at least I didn’t carry my laptop. Even though there was Wi-Fi available, I chose to detox from work, while the husband had a few things to catch up on. Fortunately, he was able to wrap it up sooner than expected. Just our Bose speaker, giving us company with our favourite music and the ambience we city dwellers crave.

A Cottage Tucked into the Hillside

My favourite part about Mountain Homes was its location. Park your car right outside the property, walk down a few flights of stairs and their wooden cottage is tucked neatly next to the hillside. I dream of mornings like this, with a cup of freshly made masala chai, biscuits, and a view of the mountains. We had most of our meals outdoors, especially our breakfast and dinners. (They have another property right above the cottage, for bigger groups visiting.)

Cosy wooden-cottage rooms, our home away from home. Photo credit: Tanya Munshi

Rooms that Felt like Home

Cosy wooden-cottage rooms; our teenage daughter loved her room, the balcony, and the windows overlooking the green vistas as far as the eye could see. Our golden retriever was the happiest ever, getting to run, play, and explore the gardens, and barking at the cows grazing on the hillslopes.

We visited Landsdowne during the first week of April; hence, the daytime was warm, while the evenings and early mornings were an absolute delight. There are air conditioners in the cottage; we did not turn them on.

From the gorgeous main door lock and key and the exquisite brass roti box – such peak detailing just made me feel extra special. Photo credit: Tanya Munshi

Thoughtful Details Everywhere

The rooms have been really tastefully done, nothing over the top. Most of the style and decor is something very similar to what I like back home. When I sent pictures of the interiors to my friends, they unanimously declared that I must be so comfortable here, as it is just the way I do things at home.

Every detail has been painstakingly done, as if it were made for the owners to live there themselves. From the upholstery to the bedspreads, table mats, crockery, and furniture, everything gave us such a homely feel. (I think I could go on and on about the interiors, but I’ll stop right here.)

Food Made With Love, Care and Sincerity

What we loved most, apart from the property’s location, was the courteous staff and the freshly prepared home-cooked food, including some local specialities. My favourite was the Buransh (Rhododendron arboreum) sherbet that Andeep welcomed us with when we arrived at the property.  

Playing darts by the day and relishing barbecues at night! Photo credit: Tanya Munshi

Simple Joys that Filled Our Days

The rooms had books, board games, puzzles and the garden had a dartboard. Oh, my goodness, we had so much fun! The daughter and husband timed themselves while working on the solar system jigsaw puzzle.

While one night we just sat and listened to music, played charades and watched the clean sky with stars dazzling, something that we so dearly miss in the city. The second night we requested a barbecue, and it was an absolute delight. Andeep and his colleagues set up a small barbecue right behind the cottage in the lawns, while talking about life in the hills.

It was one of the most calming and relaxing experiences for us, and I must declare I would doze off while sitting on the chair, feeling all warm, fuzzy and cosy.

Our hearts filled with gratitude watching our daughter and dog play in the morning and I also got to sit and dabble in some artwork. Perfect reset for our soul. Photo credit: Tanya Munshi

A Stay that felt like a Warm Hug

The staff was kind and courteous. Prepared fresh food not only for us but also for our dog. He enjoyed his meals and licked his bowl clean.

We went for walks with our dog on the hills, a drive to Tip in Top, and a hearty lunch at the Tip in Top GMVN Resort, which kindly let us bring our dog onto their lawns, where they served us our meal.

Leaving with a Full Heart

I can safely say that it was only after a very long time that I felt sad about returning to the city after our break at Mountain Homes. I had to tear myself away from the serenity and the home away from home. I still look at the pictures we clicked and sigh, hoping to head back again soon, later in the year.

Spring flowers in full bloom at Mountain Homes. Photo credit: Tanya Munshi

A Note of Gratitude

This is not a paid review. We paid for the stay and food. This little write-up is my way of showing gratitude to the staff who took such good care of us at Mountain Homes.