Amidst the whispering palms

Where could we go for a weekend getaway to de-stress from the city life? We want to just fill our petrol tank, pack our toothbrush and buzz...” This was our question to a seasoned Bangalorean. And pat came the reply, “You don’t need a full tank nor even your toothbrush. Go to Holiday Village, 50 km from your home in Koramangala.” And we were given directions to get there.

The leafy landscaped acres of this resort, its water fountains gurgling, the coconut fronds whispering in the breeze, and the cottages discreetly hidden behind foliage were what made the ‘Holiday Village’ a special weekend getaway for us. Early morning, we saw sun birds, red whiskered bulbuls making their chuckle-chew sounds, and wagtails. We walked on cobbled pathways round the rustic environs.
 
Where is it located?

And all this, just 50 km away from our home in Koramangala! We drove towards Banashankari Temple and then on to Kanakapura Road.

We got off at 9th mile,  Kanakapura Road, turned left for Vajrahalli village (landmark Godrej estate) and zigged and zagged into the interior for 4 km past the tiny villages to reach a tall enormous gate. Once inside, we would have sworn we were in a Goa village.

In the pastoral, green canopied setting, with dahlias, day lilies, carnations, palm fronds and birdsong, there is an open air swimming pool surrounded by thatched roof gazebos. Badminton court and table tennis are available. 

The proprietress herself runs the kitchen serving some exquisite Punjabi and Chinese dishes at the restaurant named Baisakhi. It has a DJ floor and the liveried waitstaff is excellent.

Inside the cottage, (choice of A/C and non), there is comfortable cane furniture, TV, and our bathroom had palm fronds. Our little sit-out was such that passers by could not see us, and the cobbled pathway to it was in harmony with village ambiance.  There is room service and the maintenance staff was attentive – they fixed the colour problem of our cottage TV.

A word to the wise

The place is always full during the weekends, so it’s best to plan in advance. Weekends are animated at the restaurant with a live singer belting out your ‘farmaish’, and a buffet spread that has long tables groaning with goodies — salads, chaats, vegetarian and non-vegetarian items, puddings, pies, fresh cut fruits.

We liked their manchow soup served with oodles of crisp noodles. Our favourites were ‘hara bhara kabab’, ‘tava’ vegetables brought hot off the skillet, and ‘tandoori’ items. At breakfast, we had fish fingers, and egg ‘bhurji’. The fare is essentially Mughlai, but during weekend buffet, they have a live dosa counter. (No ‘idli’,’ ‘vada’, ‘khara bhat’ though) Tip: They have a special milk based drink ‘Thandai’, and an unusual dessert item ‘matka kulfi’ in various flavours.

 Fact file

Total distance: 50  km one way
Accommodation: 14 hidden away cottages (A/C and non). Per night cost for A/C twin sharing Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000 for a family of four per cottage.
Food: Baisakhi restaurant inside Holiday Village.
Average meal per person costs Rs 1,000.

Arun Bhatia

(The author can be contacted at arundewdrop@gmail.com)