Tranquil surroundings, eco-cottages, an infinity pool, regular treks and evenings of cultural shows — unwinding at Wildernest Nature Resort in Goa (Chorla Ghats to be precise) sounds too good to be true. True to its name, Wildernest Nature Resort (or eco-tel, as they call it) might just make you feel like you’re lost in the middle of a forest. But, happily so. Because what’s not to love about an infinity pool to splash in (fed by a nearby waterfall), regional Maharashtrian cuisine as part of big buffets and drop-dead gorgeous views to wake up to?
Located slightly away from each other, their 16 eco-cottages, designed out of acacia wood, come with excellent views of the forest, valley or the nearby waterfalls. get your walking shoes out and put them on because all cottages require climbing up or down a bunch of steep steps to reach them. The rooms are basic, but the big glass windows from all sides ensure that nature is always close. the ceilings are made of wood and the floor of red stone. You might find the floors a bit wet during the early afternoon to evening, but this is because you are living in one of the most biodiverse, rainforests in the Western Ghats.
Once you’ve settled in, there’s much to explore here — seven waterfalls of varying intensities, over 140 species of bird and much more. If you’re up for some adventure, sign up for their regular treks, birdwatching and village trips. On a lucky day, you might get to spot mammals like the Sloth Bear or even the rarely-sighted Mouse Deer. We spotted a hibernating pit viper. Just the sight of it might tempt you to jump into and laze around in the infinity pool (with breathtaking views). We’d book this place just because of its amazing pool.