Explore These 7 Architecturally Unique Hotels In India

There’s no better feeling than checking into a hotel room, knowing that for the next couple of hours or days, you can truly get some much-needed rest and relaxation. But sometimes all hotel rooms merge into one type of room that tends to look the same and have the same lighting and designs. Worry not, we found a bunch of unique hotels in India that you can explore to get a bespoke experience.

Set apart from your run-of-the-mill hotels, these come in a variety of shapes and sizes, quite literally. With their distinct architectural styles, you can explore everything ranging from a small pod to hobbit holes, to cave resorts. 

Here are seven hotels with unique architecture you should explore for a fun-filled vacation

1. Urban Pod, Mumbai

Located inside Mumbai Central Railway station, Urban Pod is truly a minimalistic living experience with all the basic needs within arms’ reach. It’s quite literally a pod hotel with all the amenities you need like a personal reading light, a television, a wall mirror, and AC - all in one capsule that encloses you. You can opt for a personal locker as well for any kind of privacy and storage and there are different kinds of lockers for women and differently-abled guests too. Inspired by futuristic pod hotel designs in Japan, Urban Pod is the first of its kind in the country. Advocating for capsule living, this pod hotel has inspired many across the country. 

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2. Le Sutra, Mumbai

Considered to be the world's first Indian art hotel, Le Sutra was opened by Mumbai-based real estate developer, Bajaj Group in January 2010. This unique hotel has been designed to portray eastern concepts of the human consciousness with each floor representing a level of spirituality. The higher the floor, the lighter the state of mind. Le Sutra’s interior decor concepts reflect the enormous selection of stories that make up Hindu lore. The stories are depicted through wall murals, installations and art pieces that double up as furniture. For instance, the three-pronged Trishul - a symbol of creation, maintenance and destruction – is designed to function as a coat rack.

3. Aventura, Ooty

Imagine waking up after a restful night of sleep on exquisite, soft bedding, to stunning views while sipping on a warm cup of coffee. With a range of amenities, these ‘hobbit holes’ or premium pods are designed to make you feel at home while you’re on vacation. Tucked away in the quaint hill station of Ooty, these 'hole in the jungle' type pods are ideal to cut off from the hustle and bustle of city life. At Rs 1,600-2,400 per pod, this is the perfect way to completely submerge into nature. 

4. The Machan, Lonavala

This is an eco-friendly resort with tree houses that are 30-45 feet above the forest. This is a perfect place for spending some quality time in the lap of nature away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This is a perfect weekend getaway place. It is just 2.5 hours away from Mumbai and 1.5 hours away from Pune. The Machan Lonavala is known for its luxury and comfort as it offers unique treehouses, ground-based cabins, and an on-site Indian buffet restaurant. The balconies of this place offer amazing and beautiful views of valleys. 

5. Guhantara Cave Resort, Bengaluru

In Guhantara, or 'in the heart of the cave' as it would literally mean, you find yourself in the midst of an exhilarating experience. Guhantara is India's very first resort that is nested peacefully under the surface of the earth. It combines luxury with visual splendour. All the basic and luxurious amenities are provided in the rooms which are of different types i.e from primitive to cave suits. Rooms are decorated to look and feel like a cave at the same time equipped with modern technology.

6. The Taara House, Manali

A beautiful sustainably-designed property, with picturesque views of snowy peaks and icy streams, the Taara House is one of the best places in Manali to stay. The property has the spectacular scenery of Hanuman Tibba. The top-level garden provides breathtaking views and guests can also avail of this scenario upon request. Vintage furnishings, oak and pinewood structures, Scandinavian lights, and art collections in the lounge room create a warm common space. Traditional Himachal touches include a Bukhari (Indian fireplace), dining area, and kitchen.

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7. Barefoot Resort, Havelock Island

Barefoot at Havelock, set among 7 acres of grounds, is the first ecologically friendly resort in the Andaman Islands. Barefoot's ethos is to practise a minimal environmental footprint, so only indigenous materials are used, rainwater is harvested and most of their staff are local. The resort consists of pared-down wooden and conical thatched cottages, with simple interiors and en-suite bathrooms. There are basic comforts (hot water and air-conditioning or ceiling fans, but no internet or phone signal), and the rooms have large double beds and views of the surrounding 100-foot-high mahua trees. The property has been constructed using local materials that are in keeping with its natural surroundings, and whilst environmentally commendable this does have its downsides, as buildings cannot be completely sealed, and insects can get into bedrooms and the communal areas.