Forts, Spas, And Views: Your Perfect Good Friday Staycation

Good Friday is coming. Maybe it’s time to get away for a bit. There are forts, wellness retreats, and hillside hotels that just make you slow down. Wake up, look at the views, have a long breakfast. Spend the days doing nothing, or hit the spa if you feel like it. Dinner, some quiet, maybe a walk under the stars. Simple, easy, relaxing. That’s the kind of weekend you actually remember.

Rajbari Bawali, West Bengal

The Rajbari Bawali is a 300-year-old restored boutique heritage property located about 1.5 hours from Kolkata. It is a great option for a luxurious staycation experience. The place offers a serene countryside escape with royal suites, authentic Bengali cuisine, a swimming pool, and cultural activities such as boating and live music, making it ideal for a long weekend getaway.

Accommodation: Features antique four-poster beds, marble floors, and modern comforts. Room types include Classic Heritage, Notun Bari (pond-facing), and opulent Zamindari Suites.

Dining: Enjoy the authentic "Zamindari thali" for lunch and diverse cuisines at the Piano Room restaurant.

Activities: Relax with a spa treatment, take a dip in the large outdoor pool, play billiards, or take a village tour.

Vibe: A tranquil environment featuring sprawling courtyards, landscaped ponds, and nightly evening Aarti, perfect for relaxing in nature.

Rates: Room rates range from around INR 7,000 to over INR 18,000 per night, depending on the room category. Rates often include breakfast, with prices fluctuating based on seasonality, booking platforms, and available deals.

Address: Bawali Rajbari, North Bawali, Kolkata, Raypur, West Bengal 700137

Alila Fort Bishangarh, Rajasthan

Located about 90 minutes from Jaipur, it is a stunning 230-year-old warrior fort converted into a luxurious heritage boutique hotel. Ideal for a peaceful staycation.  It offers 87 opulent suites, a hilltop pool, spa, and panoramic Aravalli views, blending 18th-century Rajput-Mughal architecture with modern amenities.

Accommodation: The 87 suites feature unique layouts, large windows, and luxurious, contemporary design.

Dining: You can pick from Amarsar (Silk Route-inspired), Nazaara (rooftop restaurant with 360-degree views), and Matuveni (bar and cigar lounge).

Activities: A single-pool resort with panoramic views, Spa Alila, a well-equipped gym, kids' club, and organised cultural experiences.

Vibe: A serene, upscale getaway aimed at relaxation and history, ideal for couples or a quiet luxury break.

Rates: Room rates range from around INR 16,000 to INR 21,000 per night, depending on the room category. Prices depend on seasonality, deals and booking platforms, and include breakfast

Address: Manoharpur - Bishangarh Link Rd, off NH-8, At, Bishangarh, Rajasthan 303104

Wildflower Hall, Shimla

Wildflower Hall is a premier 5-star luxury staycation spot, set at 2,515 meters above sea level in Mashobra, surrounded by cedar woods. Known for its colonial charm, heated indoor pool, outdoor jacuzzi with panoramic Himalayan views, and a dedicated spa, it offers a serene, luxurious escape popular with couples and families. While highly family-friendly, some guests suggest it is best for children over 12 (though not mandatory). The resort is expensive, reflecting its 5-star status

Accommodation: Rooms feature polished wood floors, luxurious fabrics, and stunning views of either the mountains or the surrounding gardens.

Dining: Guests can enjoy fine dining at the resort, which specialises in European, Indian, and specifically local Himachali cuisines, including the famous tandoori trout.

Activities: They have a fitness centre and a high-end, temperature-controlled indoor pool with stunning views and an outdoor jacuzzi. The spa has personalised treatments in private, forest-facing cabins. You can avail of yoga, private nature walks/hikes through the surrounding deer forests, and bicycle tours. And high tea on the lawn.

Vibe: Perched at 8,250 feet above sea level (35 minutes from Shimla town), this former residence of Lord Kitchener offers a cool climate (even in summer) and an intimate, romantic, and peaceful ambience.

Rates: Room rates range from around INR 28,000 to INR 31,000+ per night, depending on room category. Rates vary by season, availability, and booking platform.

Address: Charabra, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171012

The Tamara Coorg, Karnataka

This premier luxury eco-resort in Virajpet, Karnataka offers an immersive nature staycation across 180 acres of coffee plantations 3,500 ft above sea level. Known for its elevated wooden cottages, sustainable practices, and serene atmosphere, it features a top-rated spa, guided treks, and infinity pool, making it ideal for couples and nature lovers.

Accommodations: Luxurious wooden cottages (Suite, Superior Luxury, Eden Lotus) with private decks overlooking lush greenery, ensuring high privacy.

Dining: The property offers high-quality dining, including traditional Kodava-style meals, using local spices.

Activities: You can avail of indoor games, karaoke, plantation tours, and nature picnics. For those inclined towards wellness and indulgence, check out the "Elevate" spa, Yoga Temple, steam/sauna facility, and the infinity pool.

Vibe: The resort focuses on eco-friendly tourism, featuring zero-waste kitchens, coffee plantation walks, and guided treks to spots like Balliyatre and Pathi Pole Falls.

Rates: Room rates range from around INR 19,000 to INR 27,000+ per night depending on room category. Rates vary by season, availability, and booking platform.

Address: The Tamara Coorg, Kabbinakad Estate, Yevakapadi, Napoklu, Taluk, Nad, Madikeri, Karnataka 571212

Windermere Estate, Kerala

Windermere Estate in Munnar is an intimate 60-acre plantation retreat featuring 18 colonial-style rooms, a swimming pool, and panoramic mountain views, perfect for a peaceful staycation. Located at 5,000 ft in the Western Ghats, it offers a "home from home" experience with farm-to-table dining, nature walks, and tea-tasting.

Accommodations: The estate offers 18 rooms, including cozy chalets built into the mountain side and rooms in the original Planter’s Bungalow, often featuring stone walls, wooden beams, and large windows.

Dining: The property features The Barn restaurant, which offers traditional Malayali, continental, and tailored meals using locally sourced ingredients. The Hut is a specialised tea shop on site.

Activities: Guests can enjoy guided nature trails through cardamom and tea plantations, relax in the reading room or library, and swim in the outdoor pool.

Vibe: It is a family-run business that focuses on privacy, offering a "home from home" feel rather than a typical hotel, allowing for a relaxed, slow-paced vacation. It offers 360-degree views of the mist-covered mountains and tea gardens. The place is known for its intimate, friendly service that makes visitors feel like they are visiting a private estate home. The property honors its surrounding landscape and focuses on nature-oriented, low-impact tourism.

Rates: Room rates range from around INR 12,000 to INR 45,000 per night, depending on room category. Prices include daily breakfast, afternoon tea, dinner, and a one-hour guided plantation walk. Rates vary by season, availability, and booking platform.

Address: Pothamedu Pothamedu, Munnar, Kerala 685612

FAQs

What is a luxury staycation?
A high-end getaway close to home with comfort, style, and unique experiences.

Can I enjoy spa and wellness services?
Yes, most luxury stays offer spa treatments, yoga, and relaxation options.

Are these stays suitable for couples or families?
There are options for romantic getaways, solo retreats, and family trips.

Are pets allowed?
Some properties are pet-friendly—check with the hotel before booking.

Can I plan activities nearby?
Yes, options like nature walks, sightseeing, and local experiences are usually available.

Is early booking necessary?
Highly recommended, especially for long weekends and popular locations.