Le Meridien Dehradun Resort and Spa, Uttrakhand’s newest luxurious address

The very first thing that makes Le Meridien Dehradun Resort and Spa stand out is its peaceful location in a hilly village of Khabarwala (near Santla Devi temple) just twenty-five minutes by car from the city centre. You will drive past the Military headquarters of India and its large cantonment area, the celebrated Doon School, meditation camps and sleepy hamlets and villages that sit in the folds of a forest, like the Le Meridien.

Silence gets louder, and the air gets fresher the closer you get to this hotel. The hotel doesn’t announce its glamorous presence –it rather proves that it’s peacefully settled and well blended in its natural surroundings.

Spread over three floors, the white building unfurls like a fan around the scenic setting, which can be best enjoyed in the hotel’s backyard: ‘the true heart of the hotel’, with an infinity pool overlooking the hills and distant mountains, a gently flowing Nun river that hugs the hotel grounds, spa, fitness centre and alfresco bar. The background music: bird songs and sounds of the flowing river.

Who For

Those seeking a connection with nature will be highly rewarded. However, business travellers can also benefit as it has many conference rooms and a convention hall with free high-speed internet.

Accommodation

Double roomsat the Le Meridien Dehradun

There are stunning views from 103 rooms, including nine suites, most with balconies. They are spacious and have floor-to-ceiling windows that welcome natural light.

Expect New York’s Malin + Goetz bathroom toiletries, a large work desk, smart lamps, and wood on the walls that evoke warmth and the vibe of nature, besides other essentials expected from a five-star. Many rooms have direct access to the sunrise or sunset and also the pool, not only from the balcony but also from the bed. Most bathrooms also have deep bathtubs.

Food & Drink

Other than round-the-clock room service, choose to dine at three other outlets, and they all boast grand views: the 24-hour Rivera Café (also serves breakfast buffet), Longitude –the lobby lounge (turns into a bar in the evening) and Aqua Current, the dining club and bar by the river.

The menus celebrate both international classics such as authentic Swiss muesli, club sandwiches and Italian pastas to local mountain dishes.

‘Garhwali Thali’ –a large platter that presents the best of the local Garhwali community kitchen should surely be ordered. Expect four to five kinds of delicacies: lentil curries, vegetables, red rice, millet bread, chicken and also two kinds of milk-themed desserts –all slow cooked that burst with different kinds of seeds.

Traditional meal at the Rivera Cafe at the Le Meridien Dehradun

For breakfast service, the hotel has employed village women, who turn up at the tables with local breakfast specialities. Siddu, a steamed wheat flour roll filled with dry fruits and topped with clarified butter, is one of them.

You can also choose one of the al fresco tables to enjoy breakfast, or for dinner and stargazing; Mussoorie, the famous holiday town on the top of one mountain, shines every night and can be spotted from there. I enjoyed one of my meals there, which ended with a delicious cheesecake. I was also able to listen to the river at the same time –which was so soothing.

Facilities and Services

There is an infinity pool, a lovely spa and fitness centre as well as several activities that best use their surroundings such as guided hill walks, camping, riverside games, sunrise yoga, art classes, river rafting and meditation.

The infinity swimming pool at the Le Meridien Dehradun along the river

For children, there’s a special room filled with games and toys. On certain evenings, special shows of traditional dances and music also take place.

While one has to register for activities through a small fee for some activities, a complimentary High Tea is served around 5 pm either in the riverside garden or on the terrace of Longitude. It’s thoughtful for the hotel to place chessboards and other games during tea to keep the guests entertained. On the other hand, there’s also a 24-hour travel and concierge desk which can prepare itineraries for day trips and offer chauffeured cars for any pick-up and drop-off.

How much:

Doubles at Le Meridient Dehradun Resort and Spa start from: INR 20,000 (£160) including breakfast and high tea (Pets not allowed; non –smoking hotel; rooms for the physically challenged available). CHECK AVAILABILITY

What’s nearby?

There are several shrines, villages, viewpoints, traditional cafes run by villagers and the Indian Military Academy that offers tours on request. The city centre is 25 minutes by car and a little longer by the village bus, which passes several bazaars including food, Nepali and Tibetan markets. Mussoorie, Haridwar and Rishikesh are 45, 61 and 53 kilometres respectively, which take less than two hours to reach. The Jolly Grant airport of Dehradun is 40 kilometers and the train station is 12 kilometres.

Moments to remember

I had requested a late check-out; the housekeeping staff member who was quick to spot me in the corridor said, “As you are checking out late, would you like housekeeping service or extra water bottles?” One afternoon, as I stepped out on the terrace of Rivera Café and seated myself at the table for a quick phone call, the young server came to ask if she should open the umbrella in case it’s too sunny. My Swedish massage session and trek to one of the hills with a hotel guide were enriched by life and attitude talks. I feel my wander during the crack of dawn and under the stars along the pool will linger.

Verdict

The resort is a perfect escape from the daily grind and hectic life. Every staff member is passionate providing high standards of service.

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