In Nature's Lap
Travel+Leisure India|August 2021
A short drive away from Mumbai and Pune, Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa—with Dharana at Shillim—is the ideal eco-friendly wellness getaway, finds out AINDRILA MITRA during the cover shoot.
AINDRILA MITRA
In Nature's Lap

AFTER A DEVASTATING SECOND wave of the pandemic, as the country gradually loosened restrictions, we were in search of a location—not too far from a metropolis—to shoot our cover girl, the lovely Huma Qureshi. Hilton Shillim Estate Retreat & Spa was a natural choice.

A two-hour and three-hour drive from Pune and Mumbai, respectively, the retreat is set in the Shillim Valley, in the Sahyadris. On a July evening, I reach the property and get soaked in a lovely drizzle. The misty weather is the perfect balm for my lockdown-weary soul. Built over 325 acres, the 99-villa retreat is an ideal getaway if you want to escape urban chaos while not venturing too far from home.

This story is from the August 2021 edition of Travel+Leisure India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the August 2021 edition of Travel+Leisure India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TRAVEL+LEISURE INDIAView All
Chasing Joy On Rottnest Island
Travel+Leisure India

Chasing Joy On Rottnest Island

Blue waters, shimmering sandy beaches, and historic sites-Rottnest in Western Australia is the quintessential island getaway. But what truly captivated our cover star Rashmika Mandanna is the happy and laid-back life that the island offers.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 2024
AS TIME GOES BY
Travel+Leisure India

AS TIME GOES BY

A decade and a half after a life-changing sojourn in Vietnam, a writer returns to track the country's transformations-and his own.

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 2024
PARIS MATCH
Travel+Leisure India

PARIS MATCH

Royal roots and boho cool, French trad and cosmopolitan flair: Thomas Chatterton Williams visits the Marais and finds the perfect mix.

time-read
10+ mins  |
May 2024
Spotted in the Wild
Travel+Leisure India

Spotted in the Wild

Tracking down a creature as evasive as the cheetah is never guaranteed. Jeff Chu treks to southern Africa to find big cats and fulfill a long-held family promise.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2024
Tastes Like History
Travel+Leisure India

Tastes Like History

With a lineage spanning millennia, Armenian cuisine is an alchemist's dream. Veidehi Gite samples iconic dishes that evoke memories of home.

time-read
5 mins  |
May 2024
The Abode of Gods
Travel+Leisure India

The Abode of Gods

Paphos, the ancient home of Aphrodite, is steeped in folklore. A walk around the old town can turn into a journey to the past; all you need is a little imagination.

time-read
3 mins  |
May 2024
Secrets of the Happy State
Travel+Leisure India

Secrets of the Happy State

A road trip from Aizawl to Champhai along the Indo-Myanmar border leads to many revelations for Florina Soren.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024
Championing Cheer
Travel+Leisure India

Championing Cheer

Fostering mindful atmospheres within corporate environments, Dr Sharon Rajkumar stands as a beacon of positivity, guiding others towards a more fulfilling and balanced life. In a candid chat, the TEDx speaker shares her journey with Kiara Sengupta, on how serendipity led her to become the first happiness evangelist in India.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
Doodling Up Joy
Travel+Leisure India

Doodling Up Joy

Turning embarrassing moments of daily life into comedic relief comes naturally to Neha Sharma. The CA-turned-doodle artist now harnesses the power of her paints to create relatable comics that mirror the everyday. In a hearty chat with Bayar Jain, the self-taught artist and storyteller outlines her journey and underlines the importance of art in bringing happiness.

time-read
2 mins  |
May 2024
A Novel Take On Happiness
Travel+Leisure India

A Novel Take On Happiness

With his 90th birthday on the horizon, India's most beloved author Ruskin Bond, talks to Eshita Srinivas about love affairs on ships, the excitement of train journeys, and his new book that he hopes will inspire young readers.

time-read
4 mins  |
May 2024