A trip to Lonavala during the monsoons is a must-do for most Mumbaikars and Punekars. Most, however, prefer to make a day-trip.
Since the pandemic, this tiny hill town has started seeing visitors from several more neighboring cities, who do not mind spend the weekend there. Despite being chock a block with hotels, resorts and villas, this hill station seemingly has the appetite to add more accommodation spaces.
Boutique hotel company, Le Sutra Hospitality, definitely thought so. With two hotels in Mumbai and Vizag, it recently opened Geometrica, its third outpost in Lonavala. Interestingly, art is the shimmering thread that binds this trio of boutique establishments together.
ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL
Bathed in bright colours and lavish in its spaciousness, Geometrica places the emphasis on, you guessed it, geometry. This recurring geometric pattern is omniscient at every wall, corner and furnishing of the 2100 sq feet villa, which another 10000 sq feet of lawn and pool area. Space-starved urban guests might be flummoxed about what to do with all this breathing space, but it sure comes as a respite after being boxed in for months.
The living room is a visual narrative of intangible art forms, which have geometry at their core. A stone cairn, or lingam, is ensconced in the center of a yoni mosaic tiled floor installation, while each wall has a distinctive piece of art that scream for attention.
One sports a collection of paintings with Islamic geometric patterns, while another has large metallic eyes with mosaic tiles, meant to depict the chakras in a human body. The far end of the room has an effervescent mandala that seems to hypnotically draw the gaze inwards. Every singular mixed-media piece makes for great Instagram captures, which could also be the reason they are there in the first place. After all, social media publicity is the best publicity one can get these days!
HEAD TO TAIL
Each room in the three-bedroom villa has its unique artistic muse that touches every element within the space. One has a headboard with a collage of white marble stones, denoting sound waves, which are backlit with a soft light. Even the wardrobe’s handle (which is shaped like a conch shell), throw cushions, rugs and coverlets in the room mirror the undulating shapes of the heard, but unseen, auditory imagery.
The wall of the second bedroom has another mixed-media creation that takes its inspiration from SH Raza’s geometrical motifs. Once again these influences of circles, triangles and lines are extended to other elements in the room.
The headboard of the master bedroom has a sculpted stone carving that depicts the famous Rani ki Vav. The geometric design of the stepwell is evident on the cushions, bedspread and rug. Even the table lamps are sculpted in the shape of an origami parrot, keeping in spirit with the favorite bird of the royalty from yore.
If you think that the artsy touches are restricted to the inner spaces of the villa, you have another think coming – one can find them near the pool and the lawn too. An unusually shaped stone yogini is the water ornament that feeds water into the pool, while a stone arch has been set up near the pool – in case someone wants to romantically pop the question to their beloved. The covered gazebo, with its straight lines, swing chairs and bright yellow colors, beckons welcomingly if one wants to laze and gaze around.
SOUL FOOD
The villa as a fully functional kitchen with cooking range, refrigerator, microwave, crockery and cutlery – should one want to whip up their meal or reheat it. But if a guest wants to switch on the relaxation mode and stay there, an attentive butler on-site can prepare basic fare, be it tea, coffee, eggs-to-order. They can also pop over to the adjoining Anglo-Indian restaurant, which also belongs to Le Sutra, for their dinner or lunch and even have it sent over.
Chef Juliano Rodrigues, who used to helm Le Sutra’s popular ‘Out of the Blue’ restaurant in Mumbai is in charge of this F&B establishment, which offers a mélange of European and Indian dishes. Be it crispy sourdough pizza, vegan burgers, chikki cheesecake or even Goan fish curry and rice – you can find it all here.
The first Geometrica villa exudes an energetic, yet peaceful, vibe, which is just what the doctor ordered for a relaxed weekend. With seven more on their way, and a 35-room hotel on the way, Le Sutra’s Great Escape might become a popular go-to destination at Lonavala in the weeks to come.
Price: Approximately INR 36,000 per night, excluding 18% tax, for 6 to 9 guests.
