Best places for staycations in the metros

Longing for a break but scared to head out of the city? You don’t need to worry. Hotels in your city are waiting to welcome you with dangling offers that are hard to resist. 

With contactless check-in, deep cleaning of rooms, regular sanitisation of hands and temperature checks of staff members; take your pick from these hotels in the metros. And if you are looking for a drive away, we’ve given options that are not too far away.

New Delhi

The Roseate

The grand common area at The Roseate in New Delhi, India ©The Roseate

Stepping inside the Roseate is entering an oasis of peace and calm because water is an intrinsic part of its architecture and immediately invokes a sense of serenity. Leaving the flurry of the city behind, you can book their staycation package. If you love Chinese, have a meal at ChiNi, the fine dining South East Asian restaurant run by a chef who has worked at Michelin star restaurants.

The Leela Palace New Delhi

This opulent property of the Leela Palace does things in style with a ride in a  limousine, to their Royal Parlour Suite, and an art tour in the hotel (yes it has that many pieces to boast about). If this wasn’t enough, there’s afternoon tea and baking lessons with the chef. All this will make your wallet lighter by about INR 30,000/-. Do not leave without having a meal at Jamavar, the fine dining Indian restaurant that offers some incredible dishes.

The Tree of Life Resort Spa, Jaipur

The luxurious pool and spa villa in Jaipur is a perfect staycation spot for Delhites ©The Tree of Life Resort

A five-hour drive from Delhi will transport you to the Tree of Life Resort Spa where you have your own villa. Get a spa massage at the outdoor deck, enjoy a dip in the private pool and savour the delicacies of Rajasthani cuisine. Overlooking the Aravallis, this will be a complete break from city life.

Mumbai

The St. Regis Mumbai

The grandeur you'll be treated with at The St. Regis in Mumbai, India ©The St Regis Mumbai

Everything looks prettier from a height, so sit back and enjoy the bird’s-eye view of the city’s high rises, the racecourse or the sea from this 38-storey luxury hotel. If you’re a foodie or a shopaholic, then you are in for a treat since this hotel is next to Palladium Mall. But if you would rather not step out, enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants be it Japanese, Indian or Oriental.

The Oberoi Mumbai

Wake up to sip your coffee gazing at the Queen’s Necklace with sweeping views of the Arabian Sea at the Oberoi's. This iconic hotel has weekend escape packages valid from Thursday to Sunday where you can check-in at your convenience. They also offer breakfast and discount on food and laundry.

The Machan, Lonavala

Sunset view from one of the treehouse cottage at The Machan in Lonavala, few kilometres away from Mumbai ©The Machan

Feast your eyes on expansive greens here from a treehouse cottage. Just a two-hour drive from Mumbai, this eco-resort spread over 25 acres in the forest has seven varieties of “machans” or cottages located above a forest canopy, each with a private deck. Some of them even have an outdoor bathtub but since it’s an eco-friendly resort they do not have air-conditioning.

Bengaluru

The Ritz-Carlton

A perfect place for stay at The Ritz Carlton in Bengaluru, India ©The Ritz Carlton

With as many as eight dining options including a 24-hour cafe and a rooftop bar, a weekend at The Ritz-Carlton promises to be indulgent. Their staycation offer comes with breakfast, a curated meal and drinks at their lounge from 5 to 7 PM. There are quite a few striking art pieces at the hotel lobby and a spa too.

Shangri-La Hotel, Bengaluru

A private shopping experience in your room where you can choose from artefacts, handicrafts and souvenirs – this is one of the major draws for those who have missed their shopping experiences. The staycation package at Shangri-La gets you an early check-in and late check-out, breakfast, discount on food and spa, yoga sessions and sound therapy classes. If all that is not tempting, their eight F&B options might do the trick. After all, this is one of the tallest hotels in the city.

The Tamara Coorg

An exotic pool to relax by on your staycation at The Tamara, Coorg ©The Tamara

The drive from Bengaluru may be a bit long but it is worth the effort to reconnect with nature at this eco-resort set in the middle of a spice and coffee plantation. There are gorgeous views of the hills from four kinds of cottages. Go for a plantation tour, indulge in some yoga or try forest therapy that takes you on a trail in the forest followed by a meditation session and a foot massage.

Chennai

ITC Grand Chola

The exuberant lobby lounge at the ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, India ©ITC Grand Chola

Stepping here is like going back in time because you are standing in a property that took its design inspiration from the Chola dynasty and is more like a palace than a hotel. A grand marble staircase, a massive chandelier, large lamps hanging from the ceiling and artwork – your stay here will be nothing short of grand at one of the country’s largest city hotels. At the brand’s signature restaurant Peshawari, you can be assured of good food.

Villa Shanti, Pondicherry

This boutique hotel- Villa Shanti, in a restored 19th-century building is one of the most elegant stay options in town with its 15 rooms located around a central courtyard. You’ll find a charming patio, vertical garden and a chic restaurant that offers some of the most delicious food in Pondicherry and a cafe. 

Taj Fisherman’s Cove Resort & Spa

The sea view from one of the premium rooms at the Taj Fisherman's Cove, Chennai ©Vivanta by Taj-Fisherman's Cove

A weekend by the sea may not be what the doctor ordered but what your eyes and mind need at this anxious time when screens consume your day. The 4D travel offer – Dream, Drive, Discover & Delight offered by this hotel gives you plenty to choose from. If you’re with someone special, then a moonlit dinner at the Watch Tower is a must. Do not return without a meal at Bay View, the seafood restaurant that offers you the fresh catch of the day. 

Kolkata

Calcutta Bungalow

One of the rooms at the property called the Jatrapada ©Calcutta Bungalow

The moment you see the façade and spot that green ambassador car parked outside, you know this six-room heritage property is a far cry from the usual hotels built-in 1926. If you decide to stay at the Darzipara room, there are antique sewing machines. They have functional typewriters in each room, a copper bathtub in one of them and old-time switchboards. There is a rooftop dining room and an “addakhana” which is the AV room.

The Garden Bungalow, Shantiniketan

Rooms decorated with antiques from across the state, a sprawling verandah with each room, pretty lotus ponds, a garden – this is a typical 19th-century Zamindar’s bungalow and not your regular hotel. Located in Shantiniketan. It is one of the most peaceful places to spend time out of the city. 

The Rajbari Bawali

The famous palace of Rajbari Bawali is also a movie shooting spot in Kolkata, India ©Chaitali Mitra/Shutterstock.com

Just an hour outside Kolkata, this 350-year-old palatial structure with colonnade balconies, high ceilings and four-poster beds in most rooms that has appeared in movies, including the recent Netflix film Bulbbul starring Rahul Bose. When it comes to food, you’ll be spoilt for choice but do try the Zamindari thali. The experience includes a sunset boat ride on the Hooghly and sandhya aarti at their own premises.