Are you fed up with the noisy summer resorts packed with tourists, congested traffic and no space on your own? Do you crave for a relaxing holiday among beautiful nature, cool mountain air and crystal clear springs? Then The ShivAdya Resort and Spa located in the Himalayan hamlet of Karjan, Manali in Himachal Pradesh is the place to be. Breathtaking landscape, unique architecture with majestic Himalayan peaks in the backdrop and sounds of crystal lakes will certainly fill you with energy and contentment.
Why this resort?
What makes ShivAdya so unique is the thought that went into building it. I had the chance to get one on one with visionary Ritesh Sood. He wanted to make a haven in the mountains for the mountain people, by the mountain people and to the mountain people. The architecture is roused by the local Himachali temple architecture and colonial designs. Every stone kept and every wood furnished is handcrafted by the locals. ShivAdya is a fine example of an eco-friendly resort. The resort will make you feel as if you’re stepping into the pages of a fairytale. On the inside, you’ll find antique furnishings, wood framing done using teak and mahogany and unique fine art by the Himachali artisans for an old world feel alongside magnificent vistas of endless pine trees and mountains.
Rooms
The resort holds 15 handcrafted rooms classified into three categories Luxury, Elite and Royal with every room named after a Himachali village. The Elite and Royal rooms open into a balcony space with a glass façade that ensures a vibrant green view across the room. The Luxury rooms come along with a common sundeck right outside the rooms to witness the majestic mountains. The rooms are well furnished with modern facilities like satellite TV, room radiators, electronic safe, mini fridge and writing desk. There are personal spaces with chairs and benches all around the resort for those who want to soak up the rays. Else use the ‘Gupshup room’ for those who need to sit and chat away their excursion or take part in other recreational activities.
Activities in and around ShivAdya
ShivAdya provides you an enthralling experience for those who will to camp and do afternoon picnics’ amidst the beautiful valleys of Manali. A wonderful continental lunch table at an apple orchard alongside a day camp anywhere in and around Manali.
For the mountain souls, ShivAdya will draw in you with numerous hiking routes, mountain biking, paragliding and skiing to the best sites in the mountain. You have a choice to ride a Ski Lift to the top of slope drive in Solang valley. Explore the huddled villages and pristine weeping willows, while you take a mini jungle wilderness trek into the forests.
ShivAdya offers unwinding spa, massage and reflexology at ‘Baori’ spa for everyone who wishes to relax. Return to the resort and soak in the Jacuzzi or indulge in a re-energizing massage complete with essential oils making your skin and body feeling nourished. Baori will be an ideal indulgence to escape the stress of the modern cut-throat world.
Special cooking lessons on Himachali cuisine for the guests, right in the kitchens. It not only provides you a profound and closer look of local foods but also gives you an enchanting experience to cook with the in-house gourmet chefs and try out the delectable Himachali cuisine. It is one of the few resorts which offers the rare Himachali cuisine in the state. Just to give you a little more of the cultural fun activity of the Himachalis, ShivAdya gives you a chance to don their traditional attires called ‘Pattu tying’ by the neighborhood Himachali women. For the sightseeing aficionados,take a tour of Manali city visiting Vashisht temple, old Manali village, Hadimba Devi temple and the Naggar Castle.
ShivAdya Resort and Spa is a great place for families and individuals to get lost in the beautiful mountains and forests.
i have been to Manali 2 times but stayed in different hotels. This place looks so good to stay next time gonna be here.
Do go here.
The last time I went there Stayed in Snow valley resort but for the next trip I will have to make to the Shiv Adya for sure after reading this…..
You should check this place out 🙂
What a lovely part of India this looks like – not what I think of when I think of India so thanks for showing me a different side of the country.
We hope you check this place out.
This sounds like such a unique and relaxing spot. Your pictures are great!
Thank you 🙂
What a unique spot! I have never stayed in a resort before, but your article really has me considering it on my next trip. I’ve never been to India, but this particular location looks amazing and not at all what I would expect for an Indian landscape.
India has a varied landscape 🙂
When you think about India surely you don’t think about mountains covered with luxuriant forests and luxury spa retreats!
What I loved the most of the ShivAdya is the attention to the local culture ant it’s eco-friendly structure.
Thank you for sharing your experience!
That’s so important in today’s tourism.
Never heard of ShivAdya before. Wow, there are really innumerable places getting developed in the hills near Delhi, all over Himachal and Uttaranchal. Must check it out.
Pictures are great. Thanks for sharing.
this sounds like an awesome stay after days of trekking in the Himalayas. I have Manali on my list of places to go en route to the trekking in Ladakh/Leh. Very informative write up. I find the post quite useful for planning purposes. Cheers.