For many years, the Himalayas attracted travelers searching for rugged adventures, long treks and ascetic yoga pilgrimages. But clients who wish to see these iconic mountains do not need to compromise on comfort or style.
Today, the Himalayan peaks and valleys house a bounty of wildly atmospheric five-star stays. Luxury properties range from lavish heritage estates to a brand-new, all-inclusive experiential retreat. Here are three properties to consider.
Shinta Mani Mustang
Opening March 2023, Shinta Mani Mustang will be the first property in Nepal designed by famed architect Bill Bensley. Clients who love being among the first guests at hot properties will delight in discovering the pops of personality and luxurious surprises reflected in all of Bensley’s designs.
Shinta Mani Mustang is scheduled to open in March 2023 in Nepal’s Mustang region.
Credit: 2022 Shinta Mani MustangThis 29-suite retreat sits at the gateway to Nepal’s Tibetan-speaking Mustang region, which was closed to foreigners for many years. Structures are built from local stone, slate and wood, while furniture incorporates upcycled materials in warm, inviting hues. The property’s steep five-night minimum stay is offset by a multitude of included amenities: private excursions, spa treatments, all meals and drinks, a complimentary in-room minibar and a personal butler, to name a few.
Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort
This romantic heritage property rises from the Himalayan foothills of Shimla, the current capital of India’s Himachal Pradesh state and one-time summer capital of British India. Though Wildflower Hall now belongs to award-winning Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, it was once the site of the grand estate of Lord Kitchener, a former British commander. Indeed, the property still feels like an elegant estate. In the rooms, soft rugs cover wood floors, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlook English-style landscaping against a backdrop of cedar forests and misty mountains.
Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi Resort, is located in a former summer capital of British India.
Credit: 2022 Wildflower Hall, an Oberoi ResortClients can freely enjoy the property’s gardens, library and billiards room. Add-on experiences include a heritage tour, guided mountain biking and a lavish picnic on the hillside next to a former viceroy’s bungalow that dates to 1863.
The Kumaon
Remote and rugged, The Kumaon stands above Almora, an Indian hill station that once attracted cultural figures such as D.H. Lawrence and Bob Dylan, and is located next to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, a haven for birdwatchers and landscape photographers.
The Kumaon’s main building and 10 suites are built along a hillside.
Credit: 2022 The KumaonA minimalist-design lover’s dream, the property includes a lounge building and 10 suites housed in five modernist structures stacked along the Kasar Devi ridge. Each room is clad in either stonework or bricks, and offers floor-to-ceiling views of the Himalayas. The lounge building includes a spa, a library and a dining area that serves meals made from forest-foraged and local farm-grown ingredients.
The Kumaon’s secluded location means the weather’s impact is raw and real. Previous guests have reported limited hot water during cold snaps, and while each suite’s traditional wood stove throws out plenty of heat, it might be challenging to maintain an exact temperature. Regardless of the elements, travelers drawn to the genuine over the glamorous will have a memorable stay.
