Relax, Replenish & Reset At The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa In Siswan Forest

In times when overinformation and overstimulation are constant for this beautiful (and eventful) journey we call life, a brief escape from the daily routine really puts things into perspective. A serene view, long walks in nature, some physical activity followed by a nice, long spa visit, your dinner reservation already sorted and an accomodation that envelops you in luxury. The bill is long and somewhat demanding, but it is not in the right place with the right people. And that's exactly how our experience went at The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa in New Chandigarh's Siswan Forest.

Less than an hour's drive from the airport, The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa sits at the foothills of the Himalayas and is nestled within the Siswan Forest in the outskirts of Chandigarh. The gorgeous property sits inside 20 acres of immaculately manicured grounds and is ringed by a further 8,000 acres of actual forest. Let that sink in.

Upon entering through the gates, the architecture does all the talking. You are met with landscaped courtyards unfolding one after another, collonaded verandahs stretch into the distance, Mughal-styled domes looming over the clear blue sky with their glistening gold details and the warm staff waiting to welcome you into the 'sukh' (read: bliss) you have signed up for (pun-intended).

It's the kind of place that makes you walk slower just so you can take it all in. The real showstopper? A long avenue of fountains, streams and reflection pools that draws your eye straight to a pair of towering brass-framed doors set into floors of deep red sandstone. Step through them and you are in the lobby, where gold-leaf elephants dance along the cornices with grand chandeliers overhead. Delightful is genuinely an understatement.

The Premier Rooms are arranged in clusters, each one built around a central courtyard and fountain, true to the symmetry that Mughal architecture is all about. It feels intentional, considered, and honestly, a little magical when you stumble into your own little garden corner after dinner with the sound of streaming water from the fountain as your background score.

Now, speaking about the room, the Premier Room is colonial charm done right. A plush four-poster bed, warm teak flooring, a vanity space and a walk-in closet that makes unpacking feel like a ritual. For optics, you have an antique-looking iron fireplace grate (a nod to the colonial times). But our favourite touch is the bay window, done up with cushioned seating for enjoying moments of stillness when the morning light pours in generously. And if you are lucky, you will spot peacocks and turkeys moving through the greenery outside, better than any alarm clock, honestly. The bathroom is wonderful: a freestanding bathtub facing a private frescoed courtyard with an urli with fresh flowers, and a mini TV screen (because why not), plus a shower room and an automatic toilet.

As you climb up the stairs of the pool block, you set eyes on a lovely contrast of blue and green. The 12-metre deep-blue tiled pool overlooks the lush green forest space and is a vision to behold when the sun sets. While there's soft music playing, the bird chirping zones you away into a calming feeling. Another point to note: the kids' pool is located steps down, near the activity area, which means less chaos but easy access if you have kids accompanying.

Tap as much as you can into your 'nature-seeker' mode here, since you don't get this experience in cities. Ask the team to arrange a mountain biking session, or, if that's too much physical activity for you, join the complimentary forest walk with their in-house naturalist in the mornings. Post the walk, head to the spa for their complimentary yoga session.

Oh, and you can also opt for an archery session in the evening to try your hand at it. There's also the gym facility open twenty-four hours. Trust us when we say this, you will be hitting 10K steps and above without even noticing, since every walk takes you on a serene discovery with something to pause for every moment or so. Be it the carved doors, the birds, the fountains or the canopy of stars you walk under.

The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa features its Asmi Spa in the adjoining block of the property, spanning 12,000 sq ft. The beautifully done space, with every detail taken care of, helps you detach. You are welcomed with a ginger drink, then directed towards the infrared sauna, steam, and hydropool. Once your spa treatment has been decided upon, it will be tailored to your body, skin, and mind's needs. The experienced therapists put you at ease, and you are in capable hands as they instruct you efficiently to help you relax. Once you have enjoyed the amenities, you are taken to the treatment room for the massage or therapy.

Under their dedicated wellness initiatve, Asmi by Oberoi, the property has everything covered, from clean and mindful nutrition to numerous meditation techniques to help you achieve a state of relaxation. A great mix of age-old traditions and modern elements. We went in for a sound healing session, what we believe was one of the most peaceful experiences we have had, your mind is on snooze and you are instantly aware of every breath that you take; instantly sets the tone for a reset.

Anant Mahal, the all-day dining restaurant at The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa serves delicious global fare. This is where you enjoy your breakfast buffet, complete with fresh parathas (their speciality), eggs, South Indian favourites, waffles, viennoiserie, all sorts of accompaniments (even detox waters) and choicy options like avocado toast (done super well with roasted cherry tomatoes and chilly oil crunch) and acai bowls made fresh. Apart from the lovely breakfast spread, their Kra Pow and dim sums are not to be missed.

Head to Raunaq, their lounge and bar, for evening coffee and post-swim munchies. They do a genuinely good iced matcha latte to our relief (with almond and oat milk options), and in case you are a bit too particular about your coffee, they are more than happy to customise it your way (bring on the Spanish Latte requests). Don't miss the truffle fries and the open-face salmon toast with crunchy green apple. Also, don't skip the view from their outdoor seating, from where you can watch the bhangra performance that takes place in the main fountain avenue in the evenings.

Kaanan, their speciality Indian restaurant, is a golf cart ride away, in the other block and has an impressive menu with Punjabi delicacies. The food here impresses instantly; household recipes have been tweaked with modern touches for a memorable dining experience, without compromising the essence of the cuisine. 'Kaanan' in Punjabi means "a place of abundance and harmony", and mind you, their generous portions and flavour-packed food truly represent the same. You start with the Amrud Aur Malai Ki Chaat, Aloo Tuk Chaat and Tandoori Jhinga, which is served with an interesting mustard guacamole. Then, make your way to the mains with Dal Kaanan, Chicken Bharta and Chilli Garlic Naan (prepared live expertly by this sweet lady who's been making Indian breads for 30 years). End the meal with their star dessert, the rabri cheesecake.

At The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa, hospitality is at the forefront of making your stay as comfortable and memorable. Every arrangement, every request is catered to with undivided warmth. Be it the concierge service ensuring your airport transfers are tension-free, the housekeeping staff tidying up the tiniest of details in your room for the best sleep, waiting staff serving you with a smile and feeding you like family or the managerial staff working behind the scenes to make you feel special and looked after. Care is always around, discreet and thoughtful, a true mark of luxury.

If you have been sleeping on Chandigarh as your next luxurious getaway, Sukhvilas is your sign to stop. This is the kind of place where you take a short break and recharge yourself with every luxury already taken care of.

Tariff Per Night (approx): INR 35,000 (plus taxes) for two, inclusive of breakfast

Check-In Timing: 2 PM

Check-Out Timing: 12 PM

Instagram: @theoberoisukhvilas

Google Rating: 4.5/5