Travel + Leisure India & South Asia brings you #TLFinds, a weekly series that gives you a sneak peek into new and interesting places and experiences across the country and overseas. The latest in this series of reviews is Atman Dharamshala, a premium boutique resort nestled in Kandi village in Himachal Pradesh. By Chirag Mohanty Samal
What is it?
A boutique property in Himachal Pradesh that offers city-weary travellers an opportunity to relax and rejuvenate in the lap of nature.
Ideal for
Families, adventure seekers and nature lovers.
Review of Atman Dharamshala
Atman Dharamshala is a quaint boutique property, located in Kandi village, which is about 30 mins away from the centre of Dharamshala town. A Leisure Hotels Group property, it offers stunning views of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges and verdant green tea plantations, sans the busy din of touristy destinations. A sustainable resort built in the local Kath-Kuni style with locally sourced materials, Atman has plenty of lawns and public areas where guests can soak in the beauty of the surroundings while breathing in some fresh mountain air. It’s the beauty of quietude that takes centre stage here, reminding you that there’s joy to be found in just doing nothing.
Spread across four acres, the property has 18 rooms across four categories to cater to different budgets and tastes. Each room done up aesthetically in pleasing colour tones, flaunts some element of Himachali culture–be it the woodwork or the traditional artefacts put on display at different corners. Starting from the interesting wall-paper to the couches in bright pops of colour, the rooms exude a singularly cheerful, millennial vibe without steering too far away from the local heritage and traditions . However, what impresses the most is the sweeping views of the Kangra valley from each room.
As for food, there’s plenty of options available at L’attitude, an all-day diner that serves local and international fare and Fuzion, a garden café and lounge that serves a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and experiential fusion cuisine. You could dig into some local food with an interesting contemporary twist or if you aren’t in the mood to experiment, then you can stick to your comfort food like pastas, pizzas and dim sums.
If quietly spending time amid mountains is not what you fancy, then the property oganises a whole lot of activities to satiate your cravings for adventure. You can go trekking to Bhagsunag fall which has many waterfalls, ancient temples and a fresh water spring or go exploring the nearby monasteries or spend a day in Mcleodganj sampling Tibetan and Himachali food at the various cafes. For those looking for offbeat experiences, you can take your pick from tea trails, bird watching, archaeological trips, paragliding or pilgrimage tours to Chamunda devi and Kangra devi temples. Whatever, you choose to do, one thing is certain that you would come back with lasting memories of the place, people, food and culture.
Address
Village Kandi, Khanyara Road, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176215
Tariff
Starts from INR 7,499 per night for two.
Contact
0189 2293182, +91 95550 88000
bookings@leisurehotels.in
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