India’s Most Beautiful Homes: Hushstays Loved by Condé Nast Traveler
- Anushqa Rathore
- Jun 27
- 7 min read
BY ANUSHQA RATHORE, 26 JUN 25
There’s something incredibly special about being discovered by the discerning eyes of travel connoisseurs. Over the years, Hushstays has quietly and thoughtfully built a collection of design-led, soulful hideaways across India. Each home is more than just a place to stay — it’s an immersive experience rooted in nature, heritage, and warmth. And now, these handpicked havens are getting the recognition they truly deserve.
Over time, several Hushstay properties have been thoughtfully featured in Condé Nast Traveler, a publication that celebrates soulful stays and slow travel around the world.
Here’s a closer look at the Hushstays that have made it to the coveted pages of Condé Nast Traveler:
“This B&B in Coonoor is for savouring the slow life in the Nilgiris” - by Malavika Bhattacharya
Picture this: A gently aged B&B tucked behind jacaranda and pine, arriving like a hidden gem after scenic hairpin roads. Hushstay x Milford Estate is a lovingly curated colonial‑era cottage where colonial teak furnishings, marble fireplaces, and window seats invite you to unplug and belong. Each morning delivers tea on the chevron‑tiled porch; afternoons drift languidly over library books; evenings glow around bonfires with Selvam’s homemade treats. Guests are free to roam the kitchen, pour another cuppa, or join a nature walk through tea estates and shola forests. It's heritage hospitality, served with warmth—and easy elegance. Continue reading >
“This sustainable homestay in Manali weaves old Himalayan charm with wabi-sabi aesthetics” - by Kriti Saraswat-Satpathy
Hushstay x Hunzuru stands like a poem carved into the hills of Pangan, just outside Manali—a quiet sanctuary where wabi-sabi aesthetics meet Himalayan warmth. Built with mud walls, reclaimed wood, and cow-dung plaster, this beautifully minimal cottage invites you to slow down and simply be. As you sip tea on a sun-drenched bench or curl up with a book beside the fire, time begins to dissolve. It’s in the details—clay plate ceiling lights, hand-plastered textures, and wide glass windows that bring in both the outside world and a deep sense of peace. Hunzuru doesn’t just offer a view; it offers a new perspective, grounded in stillness and shaped by soul. Continue reading >
“At this homestay in Tangmarg, experience the slow life of Kashmir” - by Anubhuti Krishna
Nestled amidst cherry orchards and old forest trails in Tangmarg, just a short drive from Gulmarg, Hushstay x Cheese Cottage is Kashmir wrapped in comfort and quiet charm. Once a part of the Maharaja’s estate, the cottage today welcomes guests into a world of warmth and whimsy—gothic windows, vibrant art, and meadows that shift hues with every season. Mornings begin with Kahwa and crisp air, afternoons carry the scent of homemade Kashmiri delicacies, and evenings settle in by the fire with stories from Insha, the heart behind the home. From wandering forest trails to tasting apricot curry made with love, every moment here is an invitation to live slower, softer, and deeper. Continue reading >
“This Uttarakhand homestay offers stunning mountain views and Kumaoni food” - by Anubhuti Krishna
Cradled in a remote forest near Jilling, Hushstay x Nanda Stone is more than a mountain home—it’s a thoughtful ode to the earth and its quiet wisdom. Built with stone, reclaimed wood, and lime plaster, the cottage breathes naturally through every season, cocooning you in warmth during snow and coolness in summer sun. Each window opens to uninterrupted vistas of the Himalayas, and every meal—whether it’s a comforting Kumaoni thaali or a wildberry dessert—is made with soul and simplicity. There's no rush here, only the rhythm of forest trails, crackling fireplaces, and the occasional spotting of a deer at dusk. It’s a place where the silence speaks, and nature answers back. Continue reading >
“This villa in Nainital in the hills that city folks always dreamed of” - by Shikha Tripathi
Tucked into the hills of Nathuakhan, Hushstay x Vayu is a breezy retreat that lives up to its name—the home where the wind never quite stops dancing. This elegant yet easy going villa opens into pine forests and wide skies, inviting you to surrender to mountain rhythms. Mornings roll in slowly with warm croissants and birdsong, afternoons invite exploration or board games by the window, and evenings settle around a glowing fireplace and Chef Gajendra’s soulful meals. Whether you’re wrapped in a shawl on the deck or walking down to the nearby stream, Vayu is where you rediscover the joy of simply existing—with nature, with loved ones, and with yourself. Continue reading >
“This sun-kissed homestay near Nainital is all about long walks and pahadi food” - by Shikha Tripathi
Hushstay x Aarish is sunlight poured into walls. Built atop the ridgeline of Guniyalekh, this soulful homestay looks out onto valleys that seem to stretch forever, bathing every corner of the home in golden light. Designed with a keen eye for local craft and material, Aarish blends mud-plastered walls, antique wooden beams, and brass details to create a space that feels both rooted and refined. Home-cooked Kumaoni meals made by Dev and Deepika warm the heart as much as the hearth, while long nature walks led by Dash, the indie dog, reconnect you to the land. It’s a home where the air smells of pine, the kitchen of fresh millet rotis, and every stay becomes a memory etched in warmth. Continue reading >
“This homestay on the edge of a hill near Nainital promises spectacular valley views” - by Arundhati Ail
Perched on the edge of a hill in a quiet village near Nainital, Hushshtay x Fagunia is a home lovingly built by hand—and heart. The slopes may be steep, but so is the peace they offer. Every window of this two-bedroom homestay opens into an endless sweep of valley views, with nothing but nature to fill the silence. Mornings start slow, with sunlight gently pouring onto your breakfast table, while evenings turn golden as the sky fades behind the mountains. Crafted with reclaimed materials and a vision for conscious living, Fagunia is more than a getaway—it’s a personal retreat into clarity, quietude, and meaning. Continue reading>
“This beautiful home in Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, is built for those seeking a purpose” - by Divya Mishra
Tucked between the forests of Wayanad and the tea gardens of the Nilgiris, Hushstay x PLENTI House is more than just a retreat—it’s a space built with quiet purpose. Designed by Ajith Andagere, the home blends into the hillside with handmade bricks, reclaimed wood, and curved stone walls that wrap gently around existing trees. Inside, soft-toned walls, artisan-crafted furniture, and earthy textures create a warm, grounded atmosphere.
What began as a home for volunteers by Phillida and Christopher Purvis is now a haven for mindful travellers seeking simplicity, nature, and meaningful rest. Mornings bring birdsong and tea on the balcony; days unfold slowly with nature walks, fresh vegetarian meals, and conversations around a shared table.
Whether you’re here to give back or simply take a breath, Hushstay x PLENTI House offers more than escape—it offers quiet connection. Continue reading>
“This boutique villa lets you lose yourself in the hills of Kumaon” - by Shikha Tripathi
Set amidst pine-draped slopes near Mukteshwar, Hushstay x Meraki is a soulful wooden cabin designed for unhurried ease. Light-filled living spaces spill into a cozy garden view, while vaulted ceilings and warm wood tones invite you to sink in, breathe, and slow down. Mornings begin with Himalayan light filtering through expansive windows; days unwind amidst tea-scented trails, fresh home-cooked meals, and deck-side chats. Guest reviews speak of panoramic mountain vistas and attentive service that feels like family—Hushstay x Meraki isn’t just a stay, it’s a gentle reconnection with nature, resting deeply in the rhythm of Mukteshwar. Continue reading>
“At this homestay in Rishikesh, you can enjoy solitude by the Ganga” - by Arundhati Ail
Perched 2 km up a forested ridge above Rishikesh, Hushstay x Aashraya is a riverside sanctuary defined by calm and cocooned in nature. Built by Depi Chaudhry in 2007 as a retreat for his daughters, the cottages—named Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, and Ganga—are crafted with dry-stone, mud, and reclaimed wood, giving them an organic charm that feels at one with the jungle around
Each morning, the Ganga’s gentle flow and birdsong drift through floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing quiet reflection to sunlit breakfasts. Meals are family-style affairs of wholesome dal, salads, and seasonal teas infused with Himalayan herbs—each dish echoing Depi’s childhood recipes. Days here are beautifully unhurried: guided waterfall hikes and Ganga-side picnics, intimate bonfires under the stars, yoga sessions in the leaf-strewn courtyard, or simple moments spent reading on a private sit-out. With solar panels, composting, and over 1,000 trees planted on the property, sustainability isn’t an afterthought—it’s woven into every gesture . Whether you're seeking solitude, soulful connection, or a meaningful reset, Hushstay x Aashraya welcomes you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover ease—by the river’s side. Continue reading>
Closing note:
To be recognised by Condé Nast Traveller is an honour we hold close—but for us at Hushstays, it’s always been about more than just features and lists. It’s about crafting spaces that feel like they were waiting for you. Each of these homes—whether hidden in the folds of Kashmir, perched above misty valleys in Uttarakhand, or rooted in the rolling greens of the Nilgiris—has a heartbeat of its own.
They aren't just places to stay, but places to pause. To wander without a plan. To reconnect—with nature, with others, and with yourself.
So whether you’re planning your next mountain escape, craving stillness, or simply looking to be somewhere that feels like home—you’ll find your moment here.
We invite you to come stay a while.
And perhaps, to never quite want to leave.
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