Head To This Eco-Friendly Getaway For An Authentic Himachali Homestay Experience

Sanjay Austa

Artists in search of inspiration, writers on the lookout for a cosy nook to pour their thoughts onto paper or regular city folk looking to get away from the fast paced urban lifestyle, this Airbnb is the answer to all your problems. Complete with red shutters, a wooden exterior, and a sloping roof, this quaint Himachali cottage in Shimla is the perfect getaway for your next peaceful long weekend.

This cottage is one of Meena Bagh Resorts’ eco-friendly properties and promises to give you a one-of-a-kind Himachali homestay experience. This four bedroom cottage houses 15 people and also gives you the option of opting for their cosier Pahari Cabin that has three rooms and can house upto six people. This property that was awarded the Outlook Responsible Tourism Awards in the Best Boutique Property category in February, 2018, also lets you feast on Pahari delicacies while lounging in their tastefully decorated living area that is a perfect mix of traditional and modern sensibilities.

Sanjay Austa, the owner of the property, is an environmentalist and his ideologies reflect in practices like using solar powered geysers and rain-water harvesting that this sustainable resort has adopted. Not just that, all of the resort’s furniture has been designed and created in-house using waste-wood. Also, the cottage’s wood and mud-plastered walls that are characteristic to Himachali architecture, provide natural insulation leading to minimising the use of power otherwise required for heating purposes.

Additionally, this resort is queer-friendly and gives preference to travellers with pets. “I am an animal lover and know how hard it is to leave your pet behind when travelling. That is why we give preference to guests with pets,” said Austa. A photographer and journalist himself, Austa believes in supporting and encouraging creative endeavours, which is the reason behind him offering a discount of upto 50 per cent to writers, artists, journalists and people associated with conservation activities.

Considering this inclusive property’s quaint facade, eco-friendly approach and scenic location, there is no reason why it shouldn’t top your list of weekend getaways. Don’t believe us? Look at the photographs of the property below and see for yourself.