About your stay

For nature lovers who want to escape the city, but not drive for hours, our ecological sanctuary in New Panvel awaits you. A short 90 min. drive from Mumbai, just off the Old Mumbai Pune Highway, next to Morbe Dam, the 3500 sq ft modern villa on a 5-acre organic orchard is enveloped by lush vegetation year-round. Along with the center piece, a 60-foot long poolscape, it creates a cooler micro-climate with pleasant temperatures throughout the seasons.

For an immersive experience of nature, a serene ecological haven awaits you off the Old Mumbai Pune Highway (thus avoiding the traffic jams), a short 90-minute drive from Mumbai. Situated at the foothills of the Western Ghats, next to Morbe Dam, the fenced-off 1 acre property is part of a 5-acre organic orchard. The tree canopy conceals the residence from view and, together with the nearby lake and the expansive pool, creates a cooler micro-climate, keeping the house and the pool at pleasant temperatures year-round.

The space

Four comfortable, tastefully decorated bedrooms, ranging from expansive to cozy, promise a good night’s sleep. Listen to the frogs serenading while you watch the rain fall from the semi-outdoor lounge, enjoy a romantic dinner under the stars, practice yoga by the koi pond in the Secret Garden. Stepping outside, laze in the covered garden swing and catch the indigo flash of a kingfisher diving into the pool. Follow the jungle path around the property and admire Irshalgad from a garden bench. Savor a delightful poolside barbecue. This enchanting green sanctuary with its diversity of plant and bird species offers you an array of appealing atmospheres throughout the seasons.

Bedroom 1:

- The 300 sft suite comfortably sleeps five with its 2 queen size beds plus a divan. A closet, and clothes stand, night stands and lamps, nesting tables, a 1.5 ton A/C, 2 fans and an ensuite W/C and sink with mirror complete the furnishing. Fresh linen and pillows are provided.

- Through sliding glass doors, it opens to a semi-enclosed veranda with pool and garden view on one side and a semi-outdoor, Balinese-style bathroom on the other. The glass walls have floor to ceiling curtains.

- This light-filled 300 sft “Secret Garden” is enclosed in frosted glass and mosquito screen walls, protected from view by high heliconias outside and tall potted plants inside. Besides an open slate shower and a solid slate-slab sink, it enchants your senses with its serene koi pond and peace lilies. It is perfect for yoga and meditation, or a nap on the sofa.

Bedroom 2:

- Sleeping up to 4 people, it comprises 1 King bed and 2 single beds. It opens to a protected sitting area with jungle view, and an ensuite Balinese-style semi-outdoor bathroom.

- It comprises 1 ton AC and a fan, a closet, a suitcase stand cum shelf, a vanity with mirror and drawers and a bedtable with drawers.

- Fresh linen & pillows are provided.

Bedroom 3:

- Contains 1 Queen size bed, 2 single beds and a work table with chair. It features sliding glass doors with access to the lounge area.

- It comprises 1 ton AC and 2 fans, a dressing table with mirror and a clothes stand with hanger.

Fresh linen & pillows are provided.

- A shared washroom is 3 meters away.

Bedroom 4/Study Room:

- Contains 1 double-size sofa bed, 1 study table with office chair, two shelf units and 1 fan. (A/C is not required as the room remains cool.)

A glass door opens to the semi-enclosed veranda with a pool view.

- Fresh linen and pillows provided.

- Open the door and step into the shared washroom right across the passage.

Bathrooms:

- The villa features 2 Balinese-style semi-outdoor en-suite bathrooms, and 1 common bathroom for your convenience.

- One Balinese-style bathroom is separated by sliding glass doors from Room 1. This 300 sft Secret Garden is enclosed in semi-opaque glass walls and mosquito screens and surrounded by tall heliconias. It features a slate stone shower and a massive natural slate slab sink as well as a slate koi pond and various plants. A sofa with a table invites you to spend some quiet time in contemplation.

Living area:

- The spacious living and dining room features door-to-ceiling sliding glass doors on three sides with pool and jungle views and access on the north side. It connects to the semi-outdoor lounge on the east and the semi-outdoor dining room on the west side. The harmonious, zen space is airy and flooded with indirect natural light, welcoming you in its harmonious embrace.

A generous wood table with 8 chairs in the indoor dining area, and a 6- plus a 4-seater glass table with additional 9 wooden chairs in the semi-outdoor dining area invite your party to dine in style.

- Equipped with WiFi, a 43” LED TV with Amazon firestick and a comfortable sofa arrangement that seats 8 people, this living area is designed for relaxation.

Lounge Space:

- This generously-sized semi-outdoor space is enclosed with mosquito screens and sliding glass doors on two sides, which when opened connect it directly to the living room. Directly accessible from the living room and bedroom 3 and with pool and forest views on two sides, it is furnished with 2 sofas and 4 armchairs to seat 10 people comfortably, with corresponding coffee tables. Commune with nature while being protected from the elements, sip your morning chai caressed by the filtered light of the rising sun and tell good-night stories in the soft glow of lanterns in this alluring lounge.

Semi-outdoor Dining Room:

- This space can be closed off with sliding glass doors, or connected to the indoor dining area by opening the same. It comprises 2 glass tables and 9 wooden chairs and offers forest and pool views from 2 sides. It can be accessed from the dining area, as well as bedrooms 1 and 4.

- Naturally filtered light by day, lanterns by night and the perfume of ylang-ylang and spider lilies accompany your dining experience in nature, yet protected from the elements.

Swimming Pool:

- Our captivating poolscape, fashioned from natural mountain rock and surrounded by vibrant plants and trees, reflects our dedication to health-conscious design by minimizing the use of cement.

- We carefully monitor the use of chemicals to maintain the ecological balance.

- The vast central pool measures 60 by 20 feet. Get in your laps, or simply cool off on sultry summer days, surrounded by shade-providing palm and mango trees enlivened by magenta and white bougainvillea, as the enchanting perfumes of Ylang Ylang, spider lilies, mogra and rangoon creepers waft through the air. 3 shallow areas ranging from 1 to 3 feet deep provide children and non-swimmers with just as delightful a pool experience.

- Adult supervision is required for children at all times in the pool area.

- Pool is accessible from 9 AM to 9 PM

-Proper swimwear is required.

- Separate pool towels are provided.

- No food, drinks or glass are allowed in the pool.

- Plastic cups for outdoor sitting and dining areas are provided.

- Savor a romantic BBQ under the stars by the pool with tables, benches and chairs for 15.

Kitchen & Food:

- The kitchen is well-appointed and can be used for reheating or small preparation only – tea, coffee, maggie - not for full meal preparation. It

features a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave, a toaster, a water filtration system, and a complete set of dishes, silverware, and crockery.

-Guests have the flexibility to order food from nearby restaurants at their convenience.

Guest access

Please take your time to fully explore the villa and its fenced-off lush green surroundings with its various sitting areas. Fancy an exciting hike on nearby Irshalgad, a sunset stroll around Morbe Dam, or adventurous river rafting in Karjat. Whether you prefer a swim in the pool or taking in the breathtaking views from multiple nearby points, the fenced-off 1 acre property is at your disposal for your enjoyment. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of nature and savour every delightful feature of this sanctuary.

Other things to note

Amenities & Activities:

- The unique pool and the tiled courtyard provide you with ultimate relaxation! A covered swing with a coffee table and chairs, an outdoor glass table with chairs and a cement table with benches, all with pool view, as well as a cement bench with mountain view beckon you to spend time outdoors.

- Our animal companions enhance our connection to nature, with an increasing number of butterflies and birds gracing our farm over the years. If you are quiet enough, you might sight a kingfisher drying its stunning feathers by the pool.

- A natural stone path guides you on a leisurely stroll through the odorant jungle garden. Stop at yet another garden bench on the way to take in the view of Irshalgad right behind the orchard. Watch the sunset from a tiled sitting area on the west side of the pool, protected by a mango tree and bordered by champa, heliconia and bamboo grass; this is also the designated smoking area.

Additional Information:

- Smoking is allowed only at a designated outdoor area with seating space, staff shall show the same.

- Stag parties and groups with people under 20 only are not allowed.

- An inverter with a 4 battery-backup is available in case of power cuts, offering a backup of 3-5 hours depending on usage. Essentials like fans and lights are connected on the inverter line.

- This is an organic farm, hence expect insects, which in turn attract birds! The house features mosquito screens in front of every door and window. Keep them closed if you want to keep insects out as much as possible. Our ecological farmhouse is for people who want to be connected to nature and experience it in its full glory. We do not recommend it to people who are looking to replicate a city experience.

- Our staff will welcome you, show you around and answer your questions. Pool cleaning will take place from 8-9am and maintenance at 9 pm. For stays of more than one day, the timing of the cleaning of the house can be organized with the staff.

Staff is available at reasonable hours from 9.00AM to 9.00PM; they reside in a building outside your fenced off area. They take care of housekeeping, pool and property maintenance, opening the locked entrance gate, and any questions and emergencies. They can serve your lunch. Running errands is not part of their job description.

- The locked closets in the corridor and Room 1 are not part of the rental.

- While the farm is animal friendly, pets are not allowed. Our security guards consist of our farm dogs. Keep the green netted gates closed so as not to invite them into your space.

- To ensure a comfortable and safe stay, please keep the screen doors closed to prevent mosquitoes from entering the house. Be cautious while walking on the pathways during the rainy season as they can become slippery. Additionally, being on a farm surrounded by wet areas, farmland, and jungles, the visit of crabs and frogs is likely, and snake encounters are possible. In such a situation, step away calmly. For your safety, please inform our staff of any sightings.

- Groups are limited to 15 people maximum, incl. children.

- Please note that barbecue facilities will not be available during the monsoon season.

-Outside food is allowed at the villa.

Location Brief:

Chauk - Karjat, Maharashtra, India

Our home is located 400 meters off Old-Mumbai Pune Highway, a mere 20 minute-drive from Panvel and around 90 minutes from Bandra.

Pick up and drop off from and to Mumbai can be organized at extra cost.

Distance from Chowk Station - 500 Meters

Distance from CSMT Railway Station - 58 KMs - 1.2 hrs

Distance from T2 Mumbai Airport - 60 KMs - 1.5 hrs