And in the midst of this, sits Paatlidun – an immaculate blend of Kumaoni tradition and urban opulence.
Ideal for
Paatlidun Safari Lodge is the perfect hideaway for newly-weds looking for an offbeat honeymoon retreat. In 2016, at Outlook Traveller's Boutique Hotel Awards, the lodge was bestowed with the 'Best Hotel for Honeymooners'. Couples can either have a complete staycation here, or use the lodge as a base to explore Corbett and its cornucopia of secret trails and jungles.
About the property
Fanned over by the Shivalik range, the lodge is quietly tucked away in Uttarakhand's Bhakrakot village. The region is teeming with trees we bet you didn't know even existed (such as the kinds of Rohini and Kamini) and somewhere nearby, swatches of lush grasslands spill into the startlingly clear Kosi river. Spread out over an expanse of 13 acres, the lodge is home to 12 en-suite cottages.
Keeping true to their Kumaoni roots, the lodge is steeped in traditional motifs, woodwork and stone masonry. The verandahs come with a tulsi chabootara (platform) and a one-of-a-kind red-oxide cemented flooring. All the cottages have monikers derived from months of the Hindu lunar calendar and local Uttarakhand rivers.
The rooms are decked with antique furniture, private pools, snug sit-outs and sunlit verandahs. The focal point of the luxurious cottages is its windows. Every room boasts of large French-style windows, heady with romantic notions, there's a 'Star Window' placed strategically above the master beds, so you and your partner can fall asleep to star-strewn skies. Guaranteeing absolute privacy and discretion, there's also a 'Butler Window', through which all your meals can be delivered. A sheer delight for the senses, the verandahs open directly out to the woods and the alfresco showers promise uninterrupted quietude.
Food
Almost every fruit and vegetable used to cook meals is grown in Paatlidun's farms. Practicing organic farming methods employed by the locals, their gardens are lined with rows of papaya and mango trees, lettuce patches, tomato creepers and spinach and lemongrass shrubs.
The lodge's in-house chef can whip you up platefuls of any cuisine you desire. We would recommend trying the authentic Kumaoni fare featured on their menu.
Cost
Luxury Cottage: ₹14,000 and upwards
Premium Luxury Cottage: ₹15,000 and upwards
The tariff includes daily breakfasts.
For further details, visit their
website.
Best time to go
October through January are the months when Corbett is at its most beautiful. The sporadic rains withdraw by October, making way for chilly nights, and winters are welcomed to the town by mid-November. If you are lucky, you might even catch a snowfall or two while at the hilly town. Regardless, every cottage at Paatlidun will show you the most spectacular panoramas all-year round.
What to do in and around the property
Into the wild – Jungle safaris
As Paatlidun is situated on the outskirts of Corbett, the lodge can arrange safaris according to your convenience. Accommodating around six people, the rent for one jeep is around ₹3,000, which includes taxes and entry fee to the park. The timings for the safari is from 6am to 10am in the mornings, and 2pm to 6pm in the evening.