It may seem too good to be true, but maximizing your vacation days is up to you. If bed rot is inevitable, at least indulge while away from home at one of these hidden gems that make ideal weekend trips.

1. Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort, Ranthambore

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A celebrity favorite, Oberoi Vanyavilas offers guests a one-of-a-kind glamping experience. Situated alongside the Ranthambore National Park, this property features twenty-five luxury tents with well-appointed interiors ​​evocative of the opulent caravans of the royal families. This retreat also houses an inviting spa, ​​an outdoor pool, a fitness center and the well-known Rajasthani restaurant, The Dining Room. The Ranthambore National Park is home to tigers and boasts a historic fort within its borders, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and history buffs. Guests can go on jungle safaris, take yoga sessions, participate in cooking classes, visit the Ranthambore Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the ​​Ranthambhore School of Art, or simply relax at the property.

Address: Ranthambhore Rd, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. Tel: 07462353999

2. Forest Hills, Tala

A popular destination for nature lovers, Forest Hills is about a three-hour drive from Mumbai. The resort is well-loved for its tranquil setting, lush greenery and stunning mountain views. We recommend staying at the treehouse, the mudhouse, the tented villa or the glass house, which offers unobstructed views of the greenery the property is encompassed by. Visitors can go horse riding, visit a petting zoo, explore nature trails, take ATV rides, and rest at their villa or unwind at the opulent spa.

Address: Survey no. 157/9, Village-Taraste, Pitasai Kumbet Road Post-Pitsai, Taluka, Tala, Maharashtra. Tel: 09321331581

3. The Postcard Hideaway, Netravali

The Postcard Hideaway in Netravali is set amidst an unspoiled forest in South Goa. Spread across twenty acres, this property is surrounded by the Western Shats and the dense Netravali forest. Featuring twenty elegant rooms, the hotel offers guests the opportunity to be one with nature. It also comprises an outdoor pool, a spa, an eatery and a bar. The serene spa is the venue for relaxing massages and other treatments while the restaurant’s expert culinary team crafts delicious Goan and international delicacies. Moreover, visitors can embark on nature walks, birdwatching sessions or wildlife safaris in the nearby Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.

Address: H.No. 373, Jaquem, Netravali sanguem, Goa. Tel: 07999555222

4. The Tamara Coorg

This beautiful hill retreat is home to 180 acres of abundant vegetation, coffee plantations and majestic waterfalls. The Tamara Coorg is an environmentally friendly resort featuring cottage-style villas built on stilts, offering spectacular views of the Coorg valley. ​​The property’s coffee plantation tour, bird-watching walks and forest therapy sessions come highly recommended. The forest therapy experience includes a walking trail and a meditation session, which ends with a relaxing foot massage.

​​Address: Kabbinakad Estate, Yevakapadi, Napoklu, Taluk, Nad, Madikeri, Karnataka. Tel: 08026090666

5. Niraamaya Retreats Surya Samudra, Kovalam

Situated in a charming village near Kovalam, this Relais & Châteaux property is an Ayurvedic wellness retreat. The hotel houses traditional Keralite heritage cottages and guest rooms with private balconies or terraces overlooking the sea or well-manicured gardens. The resort also has an ​​​​award-winning spa, an infinity pool, two restaurants and a bar. The Niraamaya Spa is a serene space with trained professionals offering age-old Ayurvedic treatments and yoga, meditation and pranayama classes. We suggest dining at the property’s Café Samsara, an all-day multi-cuisine restaurant, and Essence, a lively Asian and seafood eatery. Guests can also sign up for water sports activities, including surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding.

Address: P.O, Pulinkudi Rd, Vizhinjam, Mullur, Kazhivoor, Kerala. Tel: 04712267333

6. Araiya Palampur – A Norwood Heights Resort, Palampur

Located in the Kangra Valley, Araiya Palampur is frequented by celebrities like Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sunny Deol and Amisha Patel. Overlooking the snow-covered Dhauladhar Range, this 2.7-acre boasts awe-inspiring mountain views, cosy furnishings and impeccable hospitality. Don’t miss dining at Araiya Palampur’s poolside restaurant that serves comforting Indian and global cuisine. Additionally, grab a cocktail at Old Fox bar, where mixologists prepare refreshing beverages made with local liqueurs.

Address: Morepaani, Kandi, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. Tel: 08268908888

8. The Malabar House, Fort Kochi

Located inside Fort Kochi, this restored heritage property is appreciated for its visually arresting interiors, extensive art collection and outstanding hospitality. This Relais & Châteaux property’s 17 guest rooms and suites celebrate Fort Kochi’s rich culture and feature local artworks and decor pieces. Guests can enjoy traditional musical performances, lounge by the quaint outdoor pool, destress with ayurvedic treatments and take day trips in Kerala’s backwaters on the retreat’s houseboat. The Malabar House’s south Indian eatery, Malabar Junction, and wine lounge are also worth checking out.

Address: 1/268, 269, Parade Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi, Kerala. Tel: 09846669999

9. CGH Earth – SwaSwara, Gokarna

This beach property boasts 24 Konkan villas built using local materials such as laterite and coconut thatch that offer state-of-the-art amenities. Set amidst 26 acres of well-manicured lawns and gardens, the nature resort offers guests a distinctive indoor-outdoor living experience. The hotel’s Konkan villas are inspired by the old homesteads and crafts of Karnataka. SwaSwara’s expert team crafts customised guest activities, including yoga sessions, bird-watching, interactive cooking workshops and spiritual excursions to nearby places of worship.

Address: Om Beach, Donibhail, Gokarna, Karnataka. Tel: 09513320363

10. Purity at Lake Vembanad

Located alongside the pristine Lake Vembanad, this hotel offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in nature. Visitors can take part in evening yoga classes, go for a swim in the lakeside pool, indulge in an Ayurvedic massage, take a canoe ride on the lake or go fishing. The property’s Keralan food is also a must-try.

Address: Police Station, East of, Aryakara, Muhamma, Kerala. Tel: 04782860862, 04782868762

11. Heritage Village Resort & Spa, Manesar

The Heritage Village Resort & Spa, Manesar, is a palatial resort located near Delhi. Spread across beautifully landscaped grounds and designed in the Rajasthani architectural style, the hotel is hosting musical performances for Holi and has curated a Kashmiri Wazwan meal meticulously crafted by chef Riyaz, who is flying in from Srinagar for the occasion.

Address: Naharpur Rd, Manesar, Gurugram, Haryana. Tel: 01246111234

12. Saj By The Lake, Junnar

A three-hour drive from Mumbai, Saj By The Lake is a scenic resort offering panoramic vistas of the lush green valleys of Malshej Ghat and the Pimpalgaon Lake. The hotel’s architecture and design are an ode to the surrounding picturesque natural landscapes. Visitors can stay at the Brick Village, Courtyard guest rooms or the well-furnished suites. Go for treks, take walks by the lake, explore the local village or try delectable Maharashtrian dishes at the property’s eatery, Maati Baani.

Address: Phata MALSHEJ, Ahmednagar-Kalyan Road, Taluka, near Khubi, Junnar, Maharashtra. Tel: 09664151190