Away from the hustle and bustle of the city and just an hour-and-a-half hour drive away from Mumbai lies Della Resorts. Step inside the luxurious property in Lonavala and you instantly feel yourself disconnecting from worldly worries. Facing the Sahayadri mountains – which look even more lush and green during the rains – Della is a place for every mood.
Well, we were just looking to relax. A break in the middle of the week set the wheels in motion and we found ourselves at the five-star property around noon. Checking in formalities taken care of by the efficient team that followed all COVID protocols, we were taken to our room at the Garden Villa Resort. The spacious room had all the amenities for a comfortable stay, including a gorgeous view of the verdant mountains on one side and the calming green lawns on the other.
P for Parsi, P for Perfect
Famished after the car trip from Mumbai, food was all we could think of. While there are many different culinary experiences to choose from, we were in the mood for some authentic Parsi dishes and so, it was the Parsi Dhaba we headed to for lunch. The classy décor of the restaurant, with crystal chandeliers and a view of the sprawling lawns and adventure park from its ceiling-high windows, served as a preview of all good things to come. While we waiting to be served, we spotted black and white images of many celebs who have visited the property adorning the walls. Basking in their esteemed company, we relished the delicious Berry Pulao and Chicken Kebabs. The restaurant also serves lip-smacking Punjabi dishes which are now on our must-try list for next time.
Bliss is this
The light drizzle which had started outside when we were lunching, had turned into a downpour by now and the nip in the air combined with the hearty meal we had relished was the perfect excuse to lower the phone volume and snooze. Nothing like a good sleep to truly energize you!
Next on our agenda was the visit to Della Spa & Salons, India’s first 24-hour spa which turned out to be an oasis of wellness and serenity we were hoping it would be. From the vast array of therapies including therapeutic massages, luxurious signature massages, express therapies, and more, we chose the Swedish therapy that boosts blood circulation and calms senses. The expert spa therapist guided us along as she massaged lavender oil to the body, applying just the right amount of pressure to relieve stress. The light, lilting music was a balm for our senses and an hour later, we left the spa in a zen state of mind.
Say Hello to Italy
Lulled into a state of bliss, a good dinner was what we wanted to dig in. On our way to our room earlier, it was the sight of the pretty Villa Bistro which our attention had been drawn to and that is where we headed to indulge in a heady Italian meal. The recently-opened addition to the culinary experiences at the resort was everything it promised and more. We chose to sit in the outdoors section, overlooking 
the spectacular-looking bar and alfresco area. Jimmy Mistry, Founder, Chairman, and MD – Della Group has done a superlative job of designing this 180-seater outdoor and indoor dining destination with a unique design using inspiration from the Parsi Gara embroidery and motifs with animal prints in a lovely blue and white hue.
Sipping on a glass of white wine sangria while enjoying this view, we scanned the menu, and boy, were we spoilt for choice! Should we go with a Gnocchi Al Rago or Insalata Di Pollo? Ultimately, we settled down with a Diavola pizza, loaded with chicken pepperoni, tomato, and chilly flakes. The peppy music kept us company as a cool breeze started blowing. We savored the pizza and the ambiance and thought how much we will miss the charm and tranquillity of this place once we are back to the daily grind. “Just be in the moment,” the voice in our head suggested gently. We ordered another sangria. Tomorrow could wait.
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