Tucked amidst the Sahyadri hills, Forest Hills is an eco-luxury retreat set up in the Tala district of Raigad, Maharashtra. The resort is a 4-hour drive from Mumbai and is ideal for those looking to escape from the city life.
Built on the idea of sustainability, Forest Hills at Tala offers its guest with responsible luxury which is something I experienced on my weekend stay there, earlier this month.
Living closer to nature
My accommodation at Forest Hills was The Glass House, located at the topmost level of the resort. As the name suggests, this villa is enclosed with glass and features wooden furnishing. The Glass House is divided into two levels, interconnected by a spiral staircase – The first level is spacious and has two beds, a kitchen, an attached bathroom and a private deck where you can relax and enjoy a breathtaking view of the valley and the nature surrounding it. The second level has a bed, an attached bathroom and a private balcony for spending a quaint time. The interiors are minimalistic with essential amenities, thereby giving a cozy feel to the guests staying in the villa.
Other accommodation types at the resort include The Pink Parrot, The Blue Butterfly, The Wood Pecker, The Camel Cabin, The Tree Hopper, The Tree Hugger and Mud Huts, each of which signify a different facet of the nature.
The idea of forest living
Staying true to the idea of forest living, the resort prepares all its food from produces grown within the property.
With initiatives like these, Forest Hills aims at promoting Tala as the next destination for sustainable living. The resort is working closely with the local community to help build sustainable projects and also generate employment. A case in point is how they supply prawns to local markets of Mumbai, Pune, Goa and also export to the Gulf Area through their prawn farming that is run by local farmers at Tala. They also have sustainable farming and animal husbandry at the resort.
Additionally, all the accommodations at Forest Hills at Tala are environmental-friendly and made up of laterite, extracted from the lands of Tala. Lime plaster, which is an organic resource, composed of sand, water, and lime is also used in their construction.
Something for everyone
Forest Hills at Tala provides a range of recreational facilities and activities including a swimming pool, kayaking, horse-riding, bullock cart ride, riffle-shooting and trekking among others.
If you are a history lover, then you will be glad to know that the Kuda Caves that were excavated in first century B.C are situated right below the hill on which this property is situated.
For the ones looking for some more relaxation, there is a spa at the resort offering a variety of treatments that may help you relieve stress.
With sustainability at the heart of its functioning and a host of premium amenities for the guests, it is safe to say that Forest Hills at Tala is a perfect blend of luxury and nature. foresthillstala.com
