Review of Oberoi Sukhvilas, Chandigarh
- By Seema
Chandigarh, India’s first planned city, was designed by Swiss architect Le Corbusier in the 1950s. It features modern architecture, a well-planned urban layout, extensive green spaces, the impressive Rock Gardens, a tranquil lake, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The delicious local food and vibrant shopping add to the city’s charm.
Chandigarh is rapidly expanding and consistently tops the list of the country’s most liveable cities. However, the capital city is not a traditional tourist destination and draws a moderate number of visitors compared to India’s more popular tourist hubs. Nonetheless, Chandigarh’s excellent rail and air connections make it an ideal starting point for exploring the many neighboring hill stations. If you are in the region and want to spend a luxurious weekend in the beautiful city, Oberoi Sukhvilas is the place to go.
Overview
Surrounded by 8000 acres of Siswan Forest in the lower Himalayan foothills, the Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort is a serene oasis of luxury, tranquillity, and rejuvenation. The unabashedly extravagant resort is distinguished by its low-rise sandstone buildings, immaculately manicured gardens, bubbling fountains, reflective pools, and traditional architecture – all of which make it distinctly Oberoi. Despite being recently built, elements of India’s royal Rajput and Mughal architecture can be found throughout the 25-acre resort. Flowing water bodies, chirping birds, fruit orchards, herds of deer moving in unison, peacocks dancing majestically down the sidewalk, and verdant foliage – the resort is in perfect harmony with nature.
The Oberoi Sukhvilas, named ‘One of the World’s Greatest Places’ by Time Magazine in 2018, has been thoughtfully designed to cater to all of your whims, needs, and comforts. The spacious rooms, signature Oberoi service, delicious food, modern comforts, and laid-back vibe are perfect for a relaxing and luxurious stay.
Location of Oberoi Sukhvilas
Chandigarh, the capital of Haryana and Punjab, is about a five-hour drive from Delhi. You can also fly or take the train from many cities around the country. Oberoi Sukhvilas is located in New Chandigarh, 30 minutes from the city center, 45 minutes from Chandigarh station, and 45-50 minutes from Chandigarh Airport. You can reach the resort by Uber, Ola, or taxi. If you prefer, the hotel can arrange for a pickup.
Accommodation at Oberoi Sukhvilas
The Oberoi Sukhvilas offers 60 rooms and luxury tents. The accommodations are divided into five categories: Premier Room, Royal Tent, Royal Forest Tent (with private pool), Luxury Villa (with private pool), and the extravagant Kohinoor Villa. Every room and tent is thoughtfully designed to maximize space, light, privacy, and comfort. While there are colonial accents and Mughal-inspired interior design elements, luxury travelers can still expect all the modern conveniences and technologies.
The rooms are spacious and well-designed, with four-poster beds, teak flooring, chandeliers, walk-in closets, unique art, handcrafted designs, a luxurious bathroom with private courtyard views, a free-standing tub, and a state-of-the-art electronic toilet. Innovative technology seamlessly integrates into the room, allowing you to control the lights, television, temperature, and doors with a single button.
Premier Rooms are organized in clusters of six around a central courtyard with a fountain. All accommodations offer forest views and round-the-clock personalized service, but some villas modeled after traditional Haveli mansions include courtyards, private pools, and private gardens. Inspired by the royal caravans that traversed the desert in the era of the British Raj, the Royal Tents offer a unique and remarkable experience.
The Luxury Villas measure 143 square meters and are surrounded by beautiful gardens, a large private pool, sun-loungers, and a dining area. Kohinoor Villa, which spans 393 square meters, is great for those looking to splurge and live luxuriously. It is inspired by a traditional haveli and features a sunlit central courtyard that connects three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a private pool, and private gardens.
Food at Oberoi Sukhvilas
The resort has three restaurants: Anant Mahal, Kaanan, and Raunaq Bar. The Anant Mahal, adorned with 24-carat gold flourishes, hand-painted frescoes, semi-precious stone inlays, and beautiful chandeliers, exudes charm and style. It offers all-day dining with a specially curated wellness menu. The restaurant serves a wide variety of Indian, continental, and Asian dishes, so there is something for everyone. Breakfast is also served here, with a staggering range of made-to-order dishes. Anant Mahal gets a lot of their seasonal produce, herbs, and spices from their own site farm.
Kaanan is an Indian specialty restaurant that serves authentic Punjabi cuisine. It is open for dinners and Sunday lunch. Nestled within the natural Siswan Forest Range, it sits on an elevated platform overlooking a body of water, and guests can dine inside or outdoors. The food is delicious and authentic, especially the breads that are served hot off the wood fire on the veranda. Raunaq Bar is the perfect place for a drink with light snacks, and its grand décor pays homage to Sikh warriors.
Facilities and Activities at Oberoi Sukhvilas
The upscale resort offers a range of facilities and experiences that will keep you busy for a few days. There’s a gym, an outdoor pool, badminton, archery, mountain biking, e-cycling, indoor games, ATV rides, puppet shows, and a dedicated play area for kids where they can do all kinds of activities. Yoga, meditation, cooking, and pottery classes are also offered. The highlight, of course, is the 12,000-square-foot full-service luxury spa ‘Upavasa’ located at the edge of the lush forest. The light-filled, tranquil space offers private therapy rooms, hydrotherapy pools for men and women, aromatic steam rooms, an infrared sauna, and a heated tepidarium. It is an idyllic location to indulge in signature massage therapies, body sculpting, Turkish Hammam scrubs, and personalized Ayurveda treatment.
For those who enjoy the outdoors, the in-house naturalist leads an hour-long Wild Acacia Trail that introduces visitors to the Siswan Forest’s natural habitat. The resort also offers the ‘Ridgeline Trail’, a strenuous walk across the width of the Siswan Reservoir. Sukhvilas is a perfect place for ‘forest bathing’ – taking in the forest atmosphere. Take the path into the Siswan Forest and disconnect from the outside world to feel the vibrations of nature. For those who wish to venture outside the premises, the resort arranges tours to all of Chandigarh’s main attractions.
Good To Know
- Although the property is open all year round, October through April are the best months to visit. It will be hot and humid from May to September, but you will find great deals.
- Rooms at Sukhvilas start at around 23,000++ per night ($275) during the off-season.
- Of all the Oberoi Vilas chains, this resort is the least expensive. Thus, Sukhvilas is a good option if you want to experience legendary Oberoi hospitality without breaking the bank.
- The resort offers free parking and does not require reservations.
- The Spa is reserved exclusively for resident guests.
- Getting an Uber/Ola from the hotel to the city/airport early in the morning or late at night can be challenging. However, renting from the city to Sukhvilas is not an issue.
- The hotel is wheelchair accessible. At all times, the staff is happy to help with wheelchairs. One room has been designated for wheelchair users, with a lower bed, everything at waist height, and no shower or toilet doors.
- The hotel has 10 golf carts available to guests, and you may have to wait your turn if the hotel is full. If you are physically fit and the weather is pleasant, you can walk everywhere. However, you aren’t allowed to wander through the forest after sunset and must use a golf cart.
- Sukhvilas is extremely family-friendly. Your child can be kept occupied by trained staff members while you indulge in a spa treatment or a leisurely meal. The resort offers babysitting for a fee in the evenings.
- Pets are not permitted in the resort.
- If you’d like to try some other restaurants, there are several excellent ones 10 to 15 minutes’ drive from the property.
- The Oberoi operates a ‘no tipping policy’. Upon check-out, guests can leave cash tips in an envelope, which will be distributed among staff members.
- The resort is quickly gaining popularity among couples seeking an intimate and customized wedding in a picture-perfect setting.
Final Thoughts
Oberoi Sukhvilas is managed by one of India’s oldest hospitality chains, and the attention to detail is extraordinary. Nobody can match the hospitality standards set by the Vilas chains. What sets them apart is their exceptional warmth, hospitality, and service. They indulge you like nobody else does. Small touches, such as placing towels, chilled water, and slippers near your sun lounger while you swim, demonstrate their thoughtfulness and commitment. So, if you are looking to spend a few days in the lap of luxury and be pampered silly, the Oberoi Sukhvilas is a great choice. However, if you want a more active holiday with plenty of sightseeing and adventure, you should look elsewhere. A quick escape from the chaos of the outside world is what Sukhvilas offers.
PC: Oberoi Sukhvilas
Hotel Website: oberoihotels.com