Have you ever sat inside a cloud while you sipped on a hot cuppa watching the mountains peek through the white mist? Have you ever woken up from an afternoon nap when it's so quiet you could hear your own heartbeat, and maybe known true peace for a split second? Have you ever walked down a terrazzo staircase and wondered how many people walked there before you — all important, all coming down to this moment where all you have to do is relax, unwind, and switch off from the world that begins 14 kilometres away all the way down in Rishikesh, but for now, you're here on a private hill in a haveli that is a home.
Kinwani House by Aalia Collection is a 5 star luxury boutique stay nestled in the cloud-cladded Himalayan foothills. Built in 1954, it was once the home of a member from the Tehri-Garhwal royal family; that has now been revamped into a luxe hotel that seamlessly blends art deco with modern amenities and comfort.
I stayed at Kinwani for two nights and three days, and looking back now, this might not be a review, but more so a love letter to the stunning property. The feeling you're hit with when you drive up to the house and enter the living room is pure nostalgia. You're been there, you've seen this, and you don't want to leave.
Spread over acres of land with a lawn, the entire property boasts of 2 floors with six beautifully decorated suites, a dinning hall, a conservatory, a swimming pool overlooking the foothills covered in clouds, and a spa run by the very talented Alena.
When it comes to the food, (which it always is for us), what I loved the most was how nonchalantly they've thrown away the concept of a restaurant. If you happen to being staying at Kinwani house, you dine like you're at home with everyone in one dining hall under a stunning chandelier; eating, chatting, reminiscing and going back to the pure magic of simply enjoying a meal. The kitchen, headed by Chef Negi whipped up some of the most spectacular dishes from simple farm-sourced soups to a full-blown Garhwali thali, everything was made with love, and precision of the highest standards.
I stayed in the Rani suite and will not pass on the opportunity of being corny when I say there was an attempt to make me feel like one! The suite itself is stunning comprising of a living room, a bedroom, and smaller room with a study, an attached balcony, and another big balcony that overlooks the tall mountain trees and sweeping views of the Ganga down below. Other than the entire place being very art-decor-steeped-in-modernity, what I loved the most about the decor was how homely yet meticulously curated everything was — from paintings in every single room, art deco crystal lamps, to the waft of lemongrass; there was no "blanket hotel aesthetic" that was followed, it felt like home, because it is a home.
When it comes to the services provided, there is no way I can miss mentioning Mr. Aryan who is the official butler of Kinwani — always ready to help and give into pretty much every whim and fancy of the guests. He's attentive, always around, and knows the in-and outs of mountain life! At the spa where their aim's to champion ultimate relaxation, we have Alena who, other than having magic hands that will even cure your soul, is a fantastic professional who listens, understands, and then helps.
While unwinding at Kinwani might be the only thing you'd wish to do, we'd also suggest you dabble in some activities like driving down to attend the Ganga aarti, river rafting, yoga on the lawn, or even waking up and heading for the Kunjapuri trek (you can see the Himalayas from the peak)— all of which can be arranged for you by the staff itself.
So, if like me, you wish to stay at a place with old-world charm amongst the clouds, birds, and tranquility, then head to Kinwani House for a weekend with your significant other, your family, or even your sibling for utmost relaxation, comfort, and to have the time of your lives.
