Republic Day is coming up, and we encourage and endorse taking Friday off so that you get a good four-day weekend. While you don’t need to make elaborate plans to escape the country, there’s no reason you shouldn’t go all out and explore India.
From cosy log cabins in the Kumaon region to swish house boats in Kerala or a chalet in Darjeeling to a cutesy home in Rajasthan, Airbnbs across the country will sort out your stay. Go on, send that leave request; you know you want to!
Why just check into a house or an apartment when you can calmly check into a boat? Spice Routes, a luxury-style Kerala barge with a bedroom and plenty of common space for the whole group to lounge in, makes for a super fun. Cruise through the pretty backwaters and gorge on food cooked on the boat, which includes fresh catch off the day. Yum!
Price: INR 11,967
Type Of Stay: Entire boat
Can Accommodate: 6 guests
Find out more here.
Nestled in the heart of Coorg, this one is quite far from civilisation, Arka is an artistic handcrafted bamboo cabin that’s meant to be inviting and inspiring, and is made from natural material. Off-grid and quiet, it’s more of a farm stay for the artiste in you.
Curl up on the balcony with a book and coffee, and you’re sorted for the entire weekend.
Price: INR 9,996
Type Of Stay: Entire home
Can Accommodate: 4 guests
Find out more here.
Nothing like some fresh mountain air, a heritage home and nothing but tea estates for as far as the eye can see, right? That’s exactly why we love this resort up in the hills of Darjeeling. And we’re pitching for the Steinthal Suite. With four poster beds, flitting curtains on bay windows, sofas right out of the 19th century and a fireplace, romance is in the air. Don’t think too much about this, just take off!
Price: INR 8,024
Type Of Stay: Private room
Can Accommodate: 3 guests
Find out more here.
Before Rajasthan gets too warm, run away to the lakeside town of Udaipur and stay at this super cute homestay. Set over two floors, the self-catering place is filled with ethnic textiles, antique furniture and a view of the lake Pichola from a charming balcony dotted with cushions. The bedroom is amazing too, with a bamboo roof to keep things cool. Oh, and a jharokha window frame for that quintessential Rajasthan Instagram photo.
Price: INR 5,984
Type Of Stay: Entire home
Can Accommodate: 2 guests
Find out more here.
Grab the crew and head off to Alibaug to this luxury farmhouse. We recommend sitting in or by the infinity pool all day long with a drink {or two} in hand, as it overlooks the valley and creek of the Revdanda river. If you want some entertainment, there’s also a library with over 300 books and a PS3 console.
And the rooms? Oh beauties all of them, be it the poolside cottages, the glass cottages that are by the river or the gatekeeper cottages. Indulge, people, indulge.
Price: INR 27,471
Type Of Stay: Entire villa
Can Accommodate: 10 guests
Find out more here.
A rather luxurious villa modelled on the White House with a hint of British charm, you’ll live life king size here. Pick from three massive bedrooms fitted with modern amenities, a balcony in every one of them, and a bathroom where you can run laps in.
We adore the quaint spiral staircase that leads you to the top floors, and the large garden, ideal to have a game of cricket or throw around a frisbee.
Price: INR 9,044
Type Of Stay: Entire villa
Can Accommodate: 15 guests
Find out more here.
The drive through oak woods alongside babbling brooks is a great precursor to this stone and wood chalet just outside Nainital. Homely and with views of the Kumaon valley like no other, there’s six suites to choose from, each with a different view. But it’s the drawing room, complete with a fireplace, warm cosy lounge sofas and a pool table, that lures us to this hill retreat. And with so much space around it to soak up the sun and crisp air, no one needs to be left out.
Price: INR 24,003
Type Of Stay: Entire house
Can Accommodate: 16 guests, plus a few more if you don’t mind sharing a room.
Find out more here.
It is indeed a beautiful life {that’s the name’s translation} when you get to this wood cabin that’s a stone’s throw from Naukuchiatal. Made wonderfully out of wood, the décor, fixtures and art done up here is intriguing, and despite its old-world charm, it’s still chic and modern.
We do love the attic room with the view, and the loft that doubles up as a bedroom. Go here if you really want to zone out of city life. In fact, we might join you.
Price: INR 11,967
Type Of Stay: Entire house
Can Accommodate: 8 guests
Find out more here.
Want a slice of the magnificent snow-capped Himalayas? Look no further than this chalet that’ll make sure you wake up to a spectacular postcard view each morning. Our favourite place is perhaps the balcony that features lounge chairs and comfy floor cushions and overlooks the mountains, as the home is on a cliff face.
Price: INR 9,996
Type Of Stay: Entire house
Can Accommodate: 7 guests
Find out more here.
What better way to spend the weekend than at the Wine County of India? So pack up and head to Salasa. A large open-plan ground floor will set the mood for a relaxed holiday, where the bedrooms are homely and comfortable. What’s even better is that the farm is not too far from many vineyard, so wine tasting can be part of your agenda here. Plus, grape and mango gardens just outside your door.
Price: INR 17,951
Type Of Stay: Entire home
Can Accommodate: 4 guests
Find out more here.
If you’re new to Airbnb, sign up here and get a discount of INR 1,000 on your first stay!
This story is in partnership with Airbnb.
