After spending a wonderful few days amidst the serene hills of Chail at Sterling Shivalik Chail, our Himachal journey continued towards another beautiful destination – Kufri. Just a comfortable 45-minute drive from Chail brought us to Sterling Kufri, and little did we know that the next couple of days would turn out to be some of the most memorable moments of our entire trip.
When you’re living in Delhi, the constant rush makes you crave quick, peaceful getaways – and that’s exactly what we were looking for. We wanted a destination that wasn’t overly commercialized, somewhere calm, scenic, and refreshing. Lansdowne turned out to be just perfect. Tucked away in the Garhwal hills of Uttarakhand, this quaint hill station is known for its old-world charm, clean surroundings, and strong presence of the Indian Army, which keeps the area beautifully maintained and disciplined.
Our stay was at Sterling Valley of Pine Lansdowne, a newly launched boutique retreat by Sterling. Marking their ninth property in Uttarakhand, this resort is nestled amidst dense pine forests near Gumkhal. From the moment we arrived, it felt like we had stepped into a slower, more peaceful world.
The mountains have a way of calling you exactly when you need them the most – and this was one of those times. The hustle bustle of everyday life needed a break and that’s when we thought of packing our bags and heading for the hills. We chose to visit Chail, the peaceful hill destination in Himachal Pradesh which had always been on our list, and this time we finally made it happen. We travelled from Delhi and chose Sterling Shivalik Chail to be our abode where we experienced not just a comfortable stay, but also heartfelt hospitality, soulful food, and unforgettable moments in nature.
After a wonderful and memorable stay at Sterling Ooty Elk Hill, our journey continued to another charming destination in the hills – Kodaikanal. This was our first visit to Kodaikanal, and the excitement was unmatched! We had heard so much about this place – the misty mountains, the calm lakes, the pine forests – and couldn’t wait to experience it all in person.
Sterling Holidays ensured we had the smoothest journey from Ooty to Kodaikanal. In a private car we moved to a scenic journey filled with winding roads, dense forests, and occasional waterfalls cascading down the hills. In around 6-7 hours, we entered Kodaikanal, the air felt fresher, the skies seemed clearer, and a cool breeze instantly rejuvenated us.
Life came to a sudden halt last December when I lost my father. No words, no gestures can ever fill the void left by a close family member. As hard as it is, life gently nudges us forward. Somehow, we gathered the strength to keep going—carrying his memories in our hearts, every step of the way.
We wanted to take our mother on a trip—to help her rediscover joy, to breathe life back into her days, and to remind her that healing, though slow, is still possible.
While planning our getaway destination, we wanted a hospitality partner which understands our needs. Having experienced warm hospitality and comfortable stays at Sterling Holidays properties in Nainital and Mussoorie in the past, we made our reservations for 2 properties in the hills.