5 star hotels in Lonavala

I am taking my friend on a weekend away to Lonavala as a treat for her birthday. She is a very close friend and I want the best for her and would like to have the stay in a 5-star hotel and would like to know what 5-star hotels there are in Lonavala.

I would like a list of all the 5 star hotels in Lonavala with a rough estimate of a double room.

 

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(Images from Harsh, Rashmi, Mihir and Sharadsy)​

Overview

Just two hours away from Mumbai is the hill station of Lonavala. It is the favourite weekend getaway of locals from Mumbai because of its ease of accessibility. Besides being a picturesque hill station, it also offers tons of activities and attractions for tourists. From scenic view points, to idyllic lakes and even heritage sites, Lonavala won't disappoint the travel junkies. If you want to get away from the heat and humidity of the city, Lonavala is a great choice for that. It is where misty clouds, pleasant climates and natural greenery abound. Being a popular hill station, there are plenty of hotels around Lonavala. But if you want to stay in the best property, with the highest quality of services and facilities, then this guide is for you. We would highlight the best five-star hotels in the hill station.

Best Five-Star Hotels in Lonavala

1. Rhythm Lonavala - This five-star property is just 750 metres away from the Valvan Dam. It is a bit further away from other attractions like the Lohagad Fort and Pawna Lake, which can take around 20 to 30 minutes of driving away from the property. What makes the property stand out is that it was built upon a land filled with lush greenery. The owners ensured that none of the old trees that existed in the location prior to the establishment of the property was harmed during the process. There's a central swimming pool, which the low-rise, three-storey buildings surround upon. The lobby exudes a colonial era architectural style, with its regal furnitures and unique miniature statues. You can choose from two types of suites, the Cypress Suites or the Banyan Family Suites. Both types are very spacious with their own dining areas along with tasteful decors. The bathrooms have a separate shower area with glass-panelled walls as well. There are three in-house dining options to choose from. First is The Treehouse Cafe, which serves North Indian and Italian dishes to guests. Second is the Cedar Lounge & Restaurant where Mediterranean cuisine along with alcohol-based beverages can be enjoyed by the adults. And the last one is their poolside restaurant, The Courtyard, which serves a variety of local and international dishes. There's an in-house spa as well, with trained massage therapists that can further enhance your relaxing vacation. For the children, there's a Children's Adventure Zone, with various activities like rope ladder crossing, rock climbing and nets course. If you have some teens with you, they can enjoy the myriad of indoor games available in the Games Room of the property. There are also facilities for mini golf, croquet and art courses. Other facilities that guests can access in the property are a fitness centre and an art gallery. For special events and meetings, Rhythm Lonavala also has events halls and conference halls that you can rent. This all-suite property is one of Lonavala's finest and you would surely have your money's worth when you stay in here.

• Room Rates - Cypress Suite at Rs. 10,000/Night and Banyan Family Suite at Rs. 13,000/Night

• Room Amenities - Air Conditioning, LED Television, Sofa, In-Room Safe, iPod Docking Station, Tea/Coffee Maker, Mini Bar, Balcony and Attached Bathroom

• Hotel Facilities - Restaurants, Swimming Pool, Spa, Conference/Event Halls, Children's Adventure Zone, Games Room, Mini Golf, Croquet, Art Gallery, Fitness Centre, Internet and Parking

• Address - Bajrang Baug Gardens, On Old Mumbai Pune Highway, Tungarli, Lonavala, Maharashtra 410401, India

• Contact Number - +91 87 6775 2752

Rhythm Lonavala (Image from Booking)​

2. Aamby Valley City - This five-star property is located in Aamby Valley, a bit further from the town of Lonavala proper. It is about 12 kilometres away from attractions like the Bhushi Dam and Mulshi Lake & Dam. The property is set upon a vast expanse of land, making it seem like a township rather than a hotel. It is the perfect epitome of luxury combined with nature, where you get the best of both worlds. You can relish in the views of the Sahyadri mountains from a distance, while enjoying the comforts of modern technologies from your room. There are various manmade water bodies in the premises which makes it even more alluring. The Great Lake Complex is a sure hit with families, as it boasts of a children's pool and a wave pool, along with facilities for water activities. There's a central Town Plaza too where you can find grocery stores, a movie hall and various dining options. For the accommodation options, you can choose from a variety of themed cottages. They feature contemporary designs but also have traditional embellishments to balance their aesthetics. Most cottages offer a grand view of the mountains or sometimes, the manmade lagoons of the township. Restaurants that you can choose from vary, like Namak (North Indian), Mabruk (Middle Eastern), Curry Coast (Regional), Manuhar (Vegetarian Thalis) and Woodpecker (Multi-Cuisine). Adventure activities like zip lining, rock climbing, trekking, zorbing and many more can be enjoyed in the 19 Degree North. An activity that the whole family can enjoy here is riding the Aqua Bus. Yes, an actual bus that can float amidst water and where you can enjoy the scenic mountain views from. The property's Health Club has a gym, swimming pool and sauna that you can also utilise. The Aamby Valley City is a great destination in itself, if you want a fun-filled weekend where you can enjoy lots of activities in.

• Room Rates - Spanish Cottage at Rs. 10,500/Night, Aussie Room at Rs. 12,000/Night, Cabana at Rs. 28,000/Night and Aussie Suite at Rs. 24,000/Night

• Room Amenities - Air Conditioning, Satellite Television, Sofa, In-Room Safe, DVD Player, Tea/Coffee Maker, Mini Bar, Balcony and Attached Bathroom

• Hotel Facilities - Lakes, Manmade Beach, Health Club, Restaurants, Town Plaza, Adventure Activities Facilities, Aqua Bus, Water Sports, Internet, Parking, Golf Course and Conference/Event Halls

• Address - Aamby Valley, Ambavane, Mulshi, Lonavala 410401, India

• Contact Number - +91 20 2290 0000

3. Fariyas - Just three kilometres away from the Lonavala Railway Station is the Fariyas, a five-star property off the Frichley Hill Road. Attractions like the Sunil's Wax Museum and Lonavala Lake are under four kilometres away from the property. It is nestled amidst lush greenery, with a simple white facade for its main building and an outdoor water park area. This is known as the Wild Water, where both adults and children can enjoy thrilling water rides like tube slides, open slides, umbrella showers and many more. Onto the reception area, the classic chandelier, marble flooring and elegant furnitures would lure you in. You can choose from three types of accommodations: Deluxe, Premium and Suite. The designs are on the traditional side, with large floor to ceiling windows and a private balcony overlooking the mountains. For dining, you also have a myriad of luxurious options, like The Coffee Shop, which serves Continental, Chinese and North Indian cuisines. This restaurant is well known for its extensive buffet spread which was highly praised by previous guests. Fusion is more the hotel's fine dining restaurant, where you can enjoy North Indian and Chinese cuisines as well. Tavern is the property's bar slash lounge and is considered as one of the oldest of its kind in Lonavala. If ever the heat of the sun is too much for you, indulge in swimming in the hotel's indoor swimming pool. Other facilities that adults would enjoy are a spa, salon and fitness centre. Fari Magic is the games centre which has various video games facilities that both the young and old can enjoy. Celebrating your birthday or anniversary? The property has events halls and banquet halls as well. Internet is available in all areas of the hotel but for a surcharge so if you have a pocket WiFi with you, it's best to take that with you when you opt for this property.

• Room Rates - Deluxe Room at Rs. 8,000/Night, Premium Room at Rs. 10,000/Night and Suite at Rs. 15,499/Night

• Room Amenities - Air Conditioning, Satellite Television, Sitting Area, In-Room Safe, Electric Kettle, Mini Bar, Balcony and Attached Bathroom

• Hotel Facilities - Restaurants, Outdoor Swimming Pool, Indoor Swimming Pool, Bar, Spa, Salon, Fitness Centre, Fari Magic (Games Centre), Events Halls, Internet (Surcharge) and Parking

• Address - Frichley Hills, Frichley Hill Road, Tungarli, Lonavala, Maharashtra 410401, India

• Contact Number - +91 21 1466 8333

Fariyas (Image from Booking)​

4. Della - Comprising of three different properties in one area is the Della Resorts. It has been a favourite property of many corporate groups and even families. The property is just a stone's throw away from the Valvan Dam as well. There's a large swimming pool surrounded by the various villas of the property. You can choose from three staying options. If you want a bit of a rustic experience, opt for the Camp Della Resort, which features tented accommodations fitted with modern amenities. If you want to be closer to the adventure park of the property, there's the Della Adventure Resort, which features standard rooms overlooking the park. For ultimate luxury, you can opt for the Della Resort Luxury Villas. You're also spoiled with choices from their various dining options. Cafe 24 is their all-day dining Indian, Oriental and Continental cuisines restaurant. For a plush dining experience, the PNF Restaurant and Bar offers authentic Indian and Malvani cuisines. Creme Della features a myriad of vegetarian dishes, mostly of the Gujarati cuisine, and has a stunning view of the gardens. Parsi Dhaba offers delectable Parsi and Punjabi cuisines while Sports Bar offers Italian cuisine to guests. You can also enjoy breads and pastries in the Della Bakery. Are you an adventure seeker? Then, indulge in a myriad of adventure sports in the Della Adventure Park, from ATV riding, aqua zorbing, rocket ejector riding, archery and many more. There's also an in-house spa that offers massages and treatments after your tiring day of adventure seeking.

• Room Rates - Camp Della Tented Room at Rs. 9,750/Night, Della Adventure Resort Room at Rs. 9,000/Night and Della Resort Luxury Villa at Rs. 10,500/Night

• Room Amenities - Air Conditioning, Satellite Television, Sitting Area, DVD Player, Electric Kettle, Mini Bar, Patio and Attached Bathroom

• Hotel Facilities - Della Adventure Park, Swimming Pool, Restaurants, Bakery, Spa, Fitness Centre, Internet (Surcharge) and Parking

• Address - Kunegaon, Lonavala, Maharashtra 410401, India

• Contact Number - +91 22 6745 1400

5. The Machan - The Machan is not your ordinary five-star property and you are bound to be disappointed when you think of it as that way. First, it is an eco-friendly property, which means the management does everything to preserve nature and help in making sustainable choices for the sake of the environment. They have their own deep well, get energy from renewable sources, organic garden and also limit the carbon footprints by restricting the number of accommodations that they have. Many of their machans, which are their designated tree house accommodations, don't have air conditioning too. There is no television, nor internet connection here, because of the remoteness. To put it simply, if you want to be closer to nature and even want to help in preserving it, The Machan is the top choice for that. The machans are built upon lush greenery and it's not unusual for the chirping of the birds to greet you first thing in the morning. They also have separate areas for sleeping and lounging, plus an additional deck area where you can enjoy the views of the jungles and hills. The machans have wooden aesthetics which only adds to the rustic experience even more. If you have a bit of a fear of height, you can opt for their cabins instead. For dining, you're in for a treat, as you would be enjoying your meals amidst a forest, with their restaurant named as the Woods. Both breakfast and lunches are served in this restaurant, but it's in an open-air area. For dinner, you can enjoy it at their Fireplace, which means you get to enjoy the views of the fire burning while dining. The management also provides for nature trails and trekking around the area, as long as you request for it in advance.

• Room Rates - Cabin at Rs. 8,000/Night, Canopy Machan at Rs. 12,000/Night, Forest Machan at Rs. 12,000/Night and Heritage Machan at Rs. 25,000/Night

• Room Amenities - Fan, Balcony, Mini Bar, Sitting Area and Attached Bathroom

• Hotel Facilities - Restaurant, Nature Trails, Organic Garden, Spa, Library and Parking

• Address - Private Road, Atvan, Maharashtra 401401, India

• Contact Number - +91 76 6662 2426

The Machan (Image from The Machan Website)​

6. Amanzi - Overlooking the Pawna Lake is the Amanzi, another tranquil resort getaway on the outskirts of Lonavala. Privacy is truly enjoyed here, with standalone villas spread over acres of well-manicured lawns. The lobby is aesthetically designed, with tons of natural lighting and unique furnitures. Rooms offer a breathtaking view of the lake or the gardens as well, through their three-sided glass-panelled walls. Some rooms have a rare combination of stone and wooden elements, which all the more makes their beauty stand out. They even have their own balconies, with a sitting area, where you can enjoy reading a good book or sipping a cup of tea while relishing in the views. There are no internet nor television facilities in the property to ensure that the guests truly unwind and relax while in the premises. Suites feature a private plunge pool too which is every bit luxurious and provides a bit of an entertainment option while inside. Arches is their in-house restaurant which serves regional and other Asian dishes to guests. The meals served here are very delectable though high in price. On the other hand, there's also an outdoor swimming pool, a library and spa that guests can access. If you want an idyllic resort to go with your idyllic getaway in Lonavala, then Amanzi fits that bill perfectly.

• Room Rates - Garden Villa at Rs. 10,883/Night, Deluxe Villa at Rs. 12,564/Night and Luxury Suite at Rs. 32,734/Night

• Room Amenities - Air Conditioning, Sitting Area, Balcony, Electric Kettle, Mini Bar and Attached Bathroom

• Hotel Facilities - Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Gardens, Library, Spa, Court, Indoor Games and Parking

• Address - Gevhande Khadak, Maharashtra 412108, India

• Contact Number - +91 98 2101 2163

7. Hilton Shillim Estate Resort & Spa - Last on this list is the Hilton Shillim Estate Resort & Spa, located a few kilometres to the south of Pawna Lake. The property is spread over such a huge expanse of land that guests need to be transported via golf carts from one point to the other. A place away from the hustle and bustle of the city, that is the Hilton Shillim Estate Resort & Spa. After a busy day touring in and around Lonavala, the resort provides for an oasis of greenery and tranquility. It has a small outdoor swimming pool, overlooking the hills of Lonavala. For accommodation options, the property has luxurious villas, spacious and has a pure white motif. The four-post beds and draping curtains take you back to the regal era. The villas also have their own private balconies, overlooking the forests, the valleys or the pool. For dining, you can choose from various options as well. There's Terrazzo, which serves Indian and International cuisines to guests. The Green Table has a variety of organic and healthy dishes that one can indulge in. The Mountain Bar & Bistro offers the very best of Italian cuisine to guests. Other lounge areas like The Reserve, Library Lounge and Valley Bar offer wines, cocktails, spirits and alcohol-based beverages to guests as well. The Shillim Spa is regarded as one of the best spas in Lonavala, offering over a hundred massages and treatments to staying guests. Other facilities in the property are a Meditation Cave, Yoga Pavilion and Children's Activity Centre.

• Room Rates - Villa (Valley View) at Rs. 11,750/Night, Deluxe Villa (Valley View) at Rs. 12,750/Night, Spa Villa at Rs. 13,750/Night and Spa Pool Villa at Rs. 23,750/Night

• Room Amenities - Air Conditioning, LCD Television, Sitting Area, Balcony, Electric Kettle, Mini Bar and Attached Bathroom

• Hotel Facilities - Restaurants, Swimming Pool, Spa, Lounges, Meditation Cave, Yoga Pavilion, Children's Activity Centre, Business Centre, Banquet Halls, Internet (Surcharge) and Parking

• Address - Pawana Nagar, Taluka Maval, Shilimb, Maharashtra 410406, India

• Contact Number - +91 21 1471 2468

The Hilton Shillim Estate Resort & Spa (Image from Expedia)​

Conclusion

Why not make your getaway in Lonavala even more memorable by staying in any of these five-star properties? Closer to the lap of nature yet still providing for the basic necessities of the guests, these properties are your best staying options in Lonavala. You can enjoy the luxuries of life with properties like the Rhythm Lonavala, Aamby Valley City, Fariyas and Hilton Shillim. Or you can enjoy a more rustic experience with properties like Della, Amanzi and The Machan. It's all up to you but make sure you bring home lots of memories and experiences that you would treasure forever. Enjoy!

 

The one that I can recommend is Fariyas Resort Lonavala.
It has a perfect ambiance, We had a conference there and I particularly liked the swimming pool which has warm water at certain hours. The rates are reasonable - around Rs. 9000/- per night. It have heavy discounts during the off season.
Image Source Wikimapia