Paradise on Earth: Te Aroha

Nestled in the midst of green hills and lush green landscape in the Kumaon region, Te Aroha is the perfect place to relax, rejuvenate and unwind. Surrounded by apple orchards, Te Aroha located at Dhanachuli Bend (near Mukteshwar), can be an exciting holiday destination. RASHMI PRADHAN gives an overview of the boutique and picturesque resort.

The drive to Te Aroha through the long hill road has lush green pine and oak forest and is just the beginning of a beautiful journey in the lap of nature. The six to seven hours drive from Delhi to Dhanachuli opens up your senses, which usually remains dormant in the hustle and bustle of city life. Located at Dhanachuli Bend, Te Aroha was the erstwhile summer home of the Batra family.

Spread across two acres, Te Aroha, Dhanachuli is a 10-room property with a restaurant and in-room dining facility. The restaurant offers a fine selection of Indian, Continental, Italian and regional cuisines. The unique feature of the restaurant is its wooden roof, which opens to accommodate the trees that were preserved during its construction. This palatial resort is the perfect place for couples, senior citizens and young travellers to rejuvenate. But not to forget, the resort offers a homely atmosphere to the kids as well.

Retaining the old structure
Converting a summer home into a resort was not a simple task as it seems. With the support, guidance and cooperation of family and friends, Sumant Batra managed to convert his dream into reality in just two years. Sumant Batra, Chairman, Treepie Hospitality recollected, “For the past few years, I would come to this house with my family and friends during vacations. Then my friends suggested that I open this pristine place for tourists as well. Hence, I decided to convert the house into a boutique resort. Being a lawyer and on the Advisory Board of many hotels, I have travelled extensively and am familiar with the hotel business.”

Batra informed, “The original structure had three rooms and later eight rooms were added to it. The earlier structure has been successfully preserved to retain its original charm. It has huge decks and terraces, antique furniture, massive glass windows. The furnitures and antiques displayed at the hotel have been sourced from across the country.” Talking about the challenges during the renovation and restoration work, Batra said that it took almost two years to refurbish the property. Since the property is in a hilly terrain, procuring raw materials and construction during the rains and in winters was a difficult task.

The property has provided livelihood to the local villagers. “We have hired local people and trained them as per industry standards. Rather than offering standard luxury to the guests, we aim to offer them something different. We offer personalised service to our guests. The property is spacious with a bird house, water bodies and greenery all around the place.”

The resort offers the finest hospitality amidst the scenic surroundings of Dhanachuli. The property is a harmonious blend of traditional architecture and contemporary comforts. The high ceiling lobby is replete with carefully selected furniture can transport you through time to the bygone elegance of the colonial era. Each room of the hotel has a couple of stories to tell like Tom & Jerry, RK Laxman & Common Man, Cheese & Wine, Akbar & Birbal etc.

In and around Dhanachuli
Dhanachuli is an enchanting little village located a few miles from Mukteshwar, a popular hill station in Uttarakhand. Blessed with pleasant weather, a breathtaking view of the Himalayas, lush forests, enticing apple orchards and charming people, Dhanachuli is perhaps one of the most beautiful weekend getaways from Delhi.

You have the option to go on a challenging walk or, take a leisurely stroll along a tiny wooden lane. Most trails meander through the Dhanachuli village and one could get an opportunity to get glimpses of the local architecture and life. You can also pass your time sitting at the courtyard of the hotel enjoying the beautiful mountains.

For those who would like to explore the region, there are other tourist places like Mukteshwar, Sattal, Bhimtal, Nainital, Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Naukuchiatal Lake, Ranikhet and Almora.

Situated 30 kms from Dhanachuli, Bhimtal is located 22 kms from Nainital. The major attraction is the Bhimtal Lake and Bhimeshwara Mahadev Temple. Located 12 kms from Dhanachuli, Mukteshwar get its name from 350-year-old temple to Shiva, known as Mukteshwar Dham, situated atop the highest point in the town, within the IVRI campus, and close to the overhanging cliffs, locally known as Chauli-ki-Jali, used for rock climbing and rappelling, with an excellent view of the valleys below. Sattal is an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes situated in the Lower Himalayan Range near Bhimtal. These lakes are a paradise for migratory birds. Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, the oldest national park in India is a three hour drive from Te Aroha.