Along-term relationship can be a lot like your go-to alcoholic drink — no matter how many pegs you’re down, after a point, it just doesn’t get you high. Or at least, not as much as a spiffy tequila shot or a highball. Come November, aka wedding season, and haggard couples are often getting ready to attend others’ nuptials, entirely forgetting that it’s likely also the anniversary season. It flows quite naturally, no?
But when you’ve spent years bickering over the kitchen sink, have slept on different beds because of an altercation stemming from grocery shopping, and have more than once taken a break from sex to throw the garbage out, keeping the fire burning can require some thinking. Thankfully, we’re here to help you out. This season, we’re not discouraging you from raiding the handloom cupboard to arrive at weddings dressed in your best. We’re just saying, take out a few days to celebrate your own relationship, however old or new.
In The Sheets
There’s something rather comforting about checking into a luxe room and settling inside a cushy bed with an innerspring mattress with tu amor. From five-star properties to boutique hotels, getaways and staycations can veritably spice things up. Here are a few options:
Saffronstays Foresta
Nestled in Kamshet, Foresta is a six-bedroom property sprawled across 70 acres of land by the Andre Lake. The tranquil getaway has an outdoor pool, a dining room (with a bar), a Pinterest-y reading room, and a dining hall. There’s also a gaming room, which is thoughtfully set up with billiards, card, and carrom tables, and a collection of board games. The lake is accessible through a short walk, and the staff offers to set up a cute little high tea on its banks. For couples, we would recommend the cottages with ensuite bathrooms instead of the villa stay. It’s private and fun.
Ideal for: Couples in Mumbai and Pune
To book: Visit saffronstays.com
Tamara, Coorg
Luxury meets nature seamlessly at this getaway. Situated approximately 38 kms away from Madikeri town, Tamara Coorg is a gorgeous property offering the most magnificent views of the hills. Inside Tamara, you’ll find recreation and fitness centres, a restaurant and bar, indoor and outdoor pools — the former of which is temperature controlled — and their Elevation Spa with a couples massage room (and private steam room, if you know what we mean). The resort also organises a panoply of experiences, including a plantation tour, short and long treks and their coffee-forward, Blossom-To-Brew experience in a bid to keep guests busy at the secluded stay.
Ideal for: Couples in Bengaluru, Mysore, Mangalore, and Kannur
To book: Visit thetamara.com
Tooth Mountain Farms, Karjat
A short drive from the city, Tooth Mountain Farms is an idyllic spot spread across 20 acres in Karjat. For a couple, the bohemian-style suite rooms of the boutique farmstay is a good choice. The property also has a private man-made lake, pool, farm-to-table restaurant, an art village, and a plant nursery. A word of caution: if you want to binge-watch shows with your partner there, carry a device as the farm has only one TV set in the outhouse.
Ideal for: Couples in Mumbai and Pune
To book: Visit toothmountainfarms.com
Away Spa, W Goa
As the only W hotel in India, W Goa has always been a one-stop luxury hotel with unique offerings, and their rock pool has seen many a couple sip martinis at sunset. They have now launched Away Spa in the property, with the aim of helping you rejuvenate from your classic Goa ragers. From therapeutic treatments to dynamic massages, their couples’ spa gives you total privacy and sets the mood with vivid colours, playful scents, imaginative sounds, energising light, and detoxifying potions. Your treatment room will have its own changing room, steam cabin, and shower, and also a music speaker that you can connect your phone to. Make it count.
Ideal for: Couples in Goa, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru
To book: Visit marriott.com
The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake
This hotel manages to create the illusion of being away from Mumbai, thanks to its location which overlooks Powai lake, while also offering marvellous views of the city skyscape. The plush rooms, multiple F&B options within the establishments, a vast in-room dining menu and The Heavenly Spa that comes equipped with a couples room, makes this a perfect staycay spot. They also offer a range of staycation packages which includes perks like, early check-in and late check-out, complimentary breakfast buffet and discounts on food and drinks, so book away.
Ideal for: Couples in Mumbai and Pune
To book: Visit marriott.com
Out And About
Romance isn’t one-size-fits-all. Often, couples find it better to connect and bond over while out and about, instead of being cooped up inside a duvet. Keep it simple and adventurous with these experiences:
The Barge Company, Kolkata
The sea has always been a symbol of romance, and the folks at The Barge Company are aware. The shipbuilding, inland water transport, and marine infrastructure player has recently ventured into luxury cruising and has barges suited for both large-scale parties and get- togethers, alongside intimate events that take place on the Hooghly River in Kolkata. For couples, they can make specific arrangements for candle-lit dinners and gourmet dining with coffee or caprioska, whatever may be your poison.
Ideal for: Couples in Kolkata
To book: Visit thebargecompany.com
Trove Experiences
An event planning service, Trove Experiences curates experiences across segments, spanning activities such as artisanal perfume making, gourmet cookalongs, coffee and alcohol distillery tours, and even a wine and cheese tasting that they can set up inside the comfort of your home. Aside from this, they also have equestrian adventures, stargazing, horology, wildlife art, and sailing related plans.
Ideal for: Couples in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi
To book: Visit troveexperiences.com
Goa Experiences
Whether you like sailing and yachting, kayaking, cycling or plain-old walking, Goa Handpicked is a platform where you can do it all. The organisation puts together offbeat experiences inside not-so-explored parts of Goa in a bid to highlight the untouched charm of the now overcrowded summer state. Give them a call, and they’re happy to customise a day for you and your partner.
Ideal for: Couples in Goa, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru
To book: Call +91 9833438313
Set The Table
Connections between food and sex have been made since times immemorial, because nothing can uplift the mood like good food and great tipples. Instead of booking a table at your favourite restaurant, up the ante by making use of these highly personalised F&B experiences:
Oleander Farm
A swanky property located in Karjat, Oleander Farms has multiple stay and dining options within its perimeter. Among all the experiences available, we’re recommending their lakeside high tea as an ideal date set-up. A deli cart with nibbles, finger sandwiches, tea, and coffee will welcome you and the love of your life at this serene spot, equipped with a candle-lit table. Steal kisses as you subsume yourself in the verdant surroundings and the calm lake.
Ideal for: Couples in Mumbai and Pune
To book: Call 022 50022222
Aragma Food Studio
A multi-dimensional space for food experiences, Aragma specialises in interactive cookalongs and multi-course tasting menus, where couples can learn to cook their own food via a hands-on session, followed by a sit-down dinner, or enjoy a tasting menu featuring Indian-inspired dishes made with local ingredients. Take your pick.
Ideal for: Couples in Pune
To book: Call +91 8484804201
The Lovefools
Wine and dine in style at The Lovefools, a hidden gem inside Bandra’s quaint Ranwar Village that’s best known for its private and customised dinners. Pre-book the experience and tuck into their course- wise menus, which feature global eats. Set inside a heritage villa, it is a good spot for a unique date night or brunch — whatever floats your boat.
Ideal for: Couples in Mumbai
To book: Call +91 9820203360
Pack The Passion
Looking to spruce things up in bed while on your staycay/getaway? Pack these bedroom essentials, preferably in the check-in luggage. You don’t want to clarify what it is to airport personnel at security check in.
- The My Muse Pulse Massager is a sleek-looking full body massager, complete with a pouch, charger and instruction manual.
- You can also try Oye Happy’s Dice and Spice — a fun little board game with risque challenges and dares designed to keep you and your lover up all night.
Hotels In Your City
- The Westin Powai Lake, Mumbai
- Pullman Aerocity, Delhi
- Conrad, Bengaluru
- Ritz Carlton, Pune
- ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata
Images: Unsplash, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, @thelovefools, @aragmaexperiences, Trove Experiences, The Barge Company, Tooth Mountain Farms, Tamara Leisure Experiences, Oleander Farms, SaffronStays
The post The Love List: India’s Coolest Experiences For Couples appeared first on Man's World India.