This is a single room for couples or solo travellers. It is on the garden level of Meena Bagh Ratnari, a bungalow, set amidst an organic Permaculture farm. It is 74kms beyond Shimla and 17kms from Narkanda.
This is built for leisure and is suitable for those who prefer luxury in serenity, nature and isolation. All meals will be on a la carte basis.
The space
The log-cabin is on the ground floor wing of Meena Bagh Ratnari with easy access to the gardens and the orchards. It is far from the madding crowd of Himachal's hill towns (74kms from Shimla ). It is suitable for those looking for seclusion, tranquility, nature and space (both indoors and outdoors) and the surreal experience of living in a Himachali home in the middle of an a diverse Permaculture farm that grows a multitude of berries, fruits and veggies.
The tariff does not include meals. But all meals can be ordered on an a la carte basis.
With its stone and mud walls, the architecture is a mix of traditional Himachali and modern chalet aiming to incorporate local aesthetics with luxury.
Because it’s in the middle of a farm, one has to walk about 150 meters through the apple orchard to reach it from the road. If you have walking issues this place may not be suitable for you.
You have unlimited access to our orchard and gardens but access to the Sunroom will be available only if we don't have guests booked on the first floor.
Guests can book their astronomy session at the MeenaBagh Observatory which is equipped with India’s Largest pvt owned telescope.
Guests can also book exclusive, guided fruit and berry picking tours and pick any fruit and berries in season which include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, plums, cherries, apples, apricots, pears, nectarines and peaches.
The Log Cabin is part of a bungalow in Ratnari village - a famous apple belt in Himachal -where the locals engage in intensive apple farming. Its a prosperous but closed society therefore respecting local sentiments would be appreciated. Kindly do not venture into any orchard without supervision or light any bonfire anywhere. Needless to say, if you should go for a picnic in the adjoining woods make sure you bring the trash back to the bungalow with you.
Needless also to say that any sort of loud noise (music), honking etc that may disturb the locals will not be appreciated.
The village market is a kilometre away and has few provision stores stocking the usual daily needs items. The closest big town is Narkanda, 17kms away.
If you are a good trekker you can trek upto the famous Hatu Peak ( 4km trek one way.) Alternatively one can go on small treks to the adjoining forest five minutes walk away.
(ps: There activities have been suspended but to Covid-19. You can however go anywhere in the orchard and the farm, but venturing out to the main road and the forest etc won't be possible).
Discounts/ Preferences:
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a) We offer upto 50 percent discount to writers, artists, journalists and anyone associated with any sort of conservation activity. (applicable only during non business dates please)
b) We also give preference to travellers with pets.
c) The house is gay friendly.
d) We also allow married couples.
ECO-FRIENDLY
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1) Harvesting / Recycling : Water self-sufficiency.
2) Insulation.
The outer walls of the house and the room ceilings are insulated with XPS insulant. This provides insulation both against the cold weather.
3) Solar Energy:
We use solar energy to power our geysers. But for cloudy days we also have electric geysers.
4) Furniture from Waste Wood:
The furniture, from the beds to the lamp-shades have all been designed in-house using 'waste' wood. This is the discarded wood picked up from the wood-mills. We used this wood to design almost everything you see in the cabin.
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Design & Architecture:
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The cabin and the house is confusion of tradition and modernity. Its inner mud and stone walls are over 65 years old.
The bathroom has a heating option for winters. (Kindly take the assistance of the caretaker to use any electrical systems in the house)
Guest access
Guests booked in the Log Cabin have access to the gardens and the orchard. We can allow access to the Sun-room only if there are no guests on the first floor.
During your stay
There will be a cook/ caretaker and other orderlies on the property to take care of the guests.
If available on the property, I will also be happy to take guests on a round of the Permaculture Farm.
I will be available on the phone at all times.
Other things to note
Please remember we are a No Plastic zone. Kindly do not bring plastic bottles, wrappers, bags into the compound.
