A HIDDEN GEM

DISCOVER A UNIQUE BLEND OF SUSTAINABILITY AND BREATHTAKING VISTAS AT THE KUMAON.

- Vidhi Gupta

Unreal views. Eco-friendly practices. Secluded retreat. Modern spaces. All these beautiful details have been poured into The Kumaon.

After an early morning train from New Delhi Railway Station to Kathgodam and another 4-hour drive from Kathgodam to the hotel, I was exhausted. But as soon as I arrived at The Kumaon, my fatigue was quickly replaced by a sense of wonder and tranquillity. Surrounded by spectacular undulating hills and the most awe-inspiring views of the Himalayas- The Kumaon is a sustainably designed, private retreat tucked away in the Kasar Devi region of Uttarakhand.

Upon entering my room, I could not help but fall in love with the view of the mighty Himalayan range from the floor-to-ceiling windows. I could easily spend hours watching the panoramic landscape with white clouds, blue sky and different greens of earth. The Kumaon has 10 suites, nestled in pairs one atop the other, all northfacing with the views of the valley and mountains. Each suite has a heated bed and traditional wood-burning bukharis. The bathroom has a mini ecosystem with different plants and a skylight. Copper, bamboo, and stones, these are the three things which are dominantly used in the architecture and the materials have been allowed to retain their natural quality, making it even more sustainable.