• In a world threatened by global warming, forest depletion and environmental crisis, “Let’s Go Green, to Get Our Globe Clean”is slowly becomingthe ‘go to’ anthemfor travelers. Nominated by ‘Makemytrip’ in India’s Favourite Homestays awards under ‘Unique Homestay Of The Year’, Forest Hill Tala Resorts at Raigad  is one such getaway that has attracted intrepid vacationers who have consciously started opting for eco-friendly resorts, which wonderfully connect the bounties of nature with luxury stay. The picturesque, eco-friendly luxury bouquet resort is a four hour drive – 160 km from Mumbai and Pune – and is indeed the perfect weekend getaway where you are nestled within the womb of nature but still have all the luxuries to pamper you.

• We visit Forest Hill Tala Resorts at Raigad during the onset of the monsoons and the drumming pitter patter of the mercurial rains is in total sync with the ambience of the picture perfect resort perched high up on the forest hill road, overlooking craggy hills and the backwaters of the Arabian Sea. Visually, the decor of the resort from the Thai-inspired reception with its high log ceiling roof to the luxury thatched villas in the midst of a verdant green surrounding, is stunning. Indeed, the view from the resort nestled on the emerald moss carpeted craggy hills dotted with trees, reinvigorate you almost instantly. There are various levels to the resort but all the luxe villas perched strategically get the best view of wondrous nature. A word of advice though – get your own transport as there are many levels to explore.

• Eco-friendly décor…Even indoors, the rooms are spacious and the interiors done up in an eco-friendly way. On day one, our Blue Indigo villa with its indigo blue floored veranda, has a large master bed, small dining table with chairs, blue settees, floor-to-wall leaning mirror and a very luxe bathroom. The windows with drapes open up to the greenery all across. It is on a level above the Village Cafe restaurant next to an azure swimming pool which overlook the magnificent hills. On day 2, we stay at The Hermitage Zinnia which is a secluded thatched luxe villa – on the balcony veranda there is a small swimming pool with a diving board beside a small table and some chairs. The rooms here too are spacious and happy – the walls have huge sprays of zinnias painted on them.  Hermitage villas by the way, have three flower-themed categories – Jasmine, Zinnia and Marigold.

•  The bracing air and fabulous view from every vantage point coax you to go for a much needed brisk morning walk to explore the picturesque resort nestled high up on the hills. There is a deep sense of peace ensconced in between the hills, dells and the blue backwaters of the Arabian Sea.

•  Go green, go organic. There is a huge organic farm as the resort follows a farm-to-fork system so you are sure to get the freshest and most delicious organic veggies here. The ‘farm to fork’ food includes varied non veg and veg specialities – fresh, delicious and healthy. In terms of activities,there is archery, rifle shooting and ATV biking down the serpentine hill road. And if you want to be pampered, there is a spa too.  For the romantic, the resort curates a super loved up ambience of a candle-light dinner, which is truly amazing. 

• Not too many resorts in India are pet friendly, but thank God, Forest Hill Tala resorts at Raigad, is super pet friendly. Not only did our little dog enjoy gambolling up and down on the open spaces in the resort, he was served bowls of hot food by the chef himself. For animal lovers, there is a petting zone where you have rabbits, goats and emus residing.

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