India’s north-east is a land of pristine beauty, rendered more valuable by virtue of its isolation and its astonishing lack of unbridled commercialisation.

Blessed with abundant natural beauty and holding an important place in India’s vast cultural diversity, the North-east of India, comprising Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim, deserve to be included on any list of the most alluring destinations in India.

Indian Hotels Company, with its rich tradition of gracious service and hospitality, has established roots in this rich and diverse region through six hotels appealing to various interests and price points. It now invites guests to experience the splendour of the Taj in the North-east.

Taj Guras Kutir Resort and Spa, Gangtok, Sikkim

The name of this charming resort comes from the rhododendrons or Guras that grow in abundance here. This luxurious mountain retreat lies snug in the heart of the Greater Himalayan Range. Offering breathtaking views of the great mountain that soars above it, the Taj Guras Kutir Resort and Spa promises its guests an experience that combines luxurious living with nature’s untouched beauty.

Sixty-nine well designed rooms and suites await, each blending contemporary design with the traditional art of Sikkim. Guests can marvel at Thangkas, Buddhist inspired paintings, savour the best of the state’s cuisine and Pan-Asian dishes at Machan, Soi & Sake, and the Guras Bar and Lounge, and rejuvenate themselves at the J Wellness Circle.

The Taj Guras Kutir Resort and Spa is the right place to explore and experience the beauty of Sikkim.

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Ginger Gangtok, Bojoghari

If you ever find yourself in Bojoghari, consider making a pit stop at Ginger Gangkok, Bojoghari. This vibrant hotel, designed on the philosophy of Lean Luxe, has 89 well-appointed rooms, besides Qmin, an all-day diner, and a well-equipped fitness centre. Hold your business meetings in the hotel’s meeting rooms and wind down, after a long day, at the bar in Ginger Gangtok.

The hotel is close to Gangtok’s major sights, including the Nathula Pass, Hanuman Tok, Yumthang Valley, Rumtek Monastery and Tsomgo Lake.

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Vivanta Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang

Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is a haven of tall snow-clad peaks, pristine lakes and beautiful valleys, all combining to offer captivating glimpses of this beautiful land. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, Tawang is home to the Tawang Monastery. Bowing in devotion to the rhythm of Tibetan Buddhism, Vivanta Arunachal Pradesh at Tawang invites guests to calm their harried minds in its environs.

The views are beautiful, but that’s not all there is to Tawang. The experience of Vivanta invites guests to appreciate its unique central atrium design, 80 well-appointed rooms and suites that offer mountain and valley views, and the cosy ambience of heated wooden floors and walnut veneer-adorned walls. Guests will be charmed by the décor, with traditional masks on the walls, bamboo lamps, vibrant cushions and carpets and Thangka paintings.

Thukpa and momos and other delights of contemporary Indian, Continental and Asian cuisine grace the table at the all-day restaurant, Mynt, while exotic concoctions infused with local flavours await guests at the high-octane bar, Wink. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s the lobby-level patisserie, Swirl.

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Vivanta Guwahati

In the heart of Guwahati, the largest city in Assam, stands the Vivanta Guwahati, an urban retreat offering world-class comforts and beckoning you to experience the delights of the Seven Sisters.

The hotel is evocative of the culture and traditions of Assam, with five acres of manicured gardens, betel nut groves and water bodies. History is recreated in the form of the main building of the hotel, housing 150 contemporary rooms and suites, which is modelled after Rang Ghar, the royal amphitheatre of the mighty Ahom dynasty. Other architectural features that grace the design of the hotel include the cupola (rounded dome) of the Kamakhya Temple, the gamocha handloom reflected in a modern bamboo interweave, Xingkhap patterns in the rooms, a stunning mural of 1008 cascading sacred bells in the grand lobby and marigold motifs across the hotel.

The cuisine on offer includes Chinese, Japanese and classic North and South Indian cuisines, but the crowning glory is the best of authentic Assamese cuisine. A 24/7 fitness centre, Jiva Spa, Executive Lounge and other facilities enable guests to make the most of their time. Stay at the hotel and enjoy the best of Assam, including the joyful bihu dance on the hotel lawns, shopping for silk mekhala chadors, sunset dinners on the Brahmaputra and a tour of Assam’s famous tea gardens. Kaziranga and Manas wildlife parks await adventure enthusiasts.

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Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong

Meghalaya, literally the abode of the clouds, is home to India’s finest trekking trails, nature walks and music festivals, all available for one to experience and relish, particularly if one is a guest at the Vivanta Meghalaya, Shillong.

This beautiful city is blessed by nature, with forests, gardens, parks, and cascading waterfalls waiting to take your breath away. The people are friendly and the region is teeming with eclectic bazaars and other interesting destinations, besides the sight of cherry blossom and pine trees in full bloom.

Eighty-seven stunning rooms and 14 spacious suites are ready to play host to guests, while the central atrium’s screen design and the glass pyramid crowning the atrium fill us with a sense of awe. Mynt, the all-day restaurant, serves up local and global favourites on a platter.

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Vivanta Sikkim, Pakyong

Vivanta Sikkim, Pakyong is perched on the contours of a mountain slope. Its style embraces Sikkim’s natural beauty, blending the style of the hotel structure with the beauty of the rocks, trees and brooks around the property. This delicate arrangement is rendered even more pleasing by the landscaped gardens, which are not unlike the terraced paddy fields that dot the countryside.

The 50 rooms and suites in the hotel all come with stunning views of the mountains and valleys around. The hotel boasts of Sikkim’s only heated swimming pool, a welcome feature against the backdrop of the snow-capped peaks around. Mynt serves delicious fare, while Wink offers eclectic cocktails.

The adventurous are beckoned to follow the many trails all around, including one on the property that leads to a shrine to Shiva. Other trails outside the property lead to Buddhist monasteries and markets selling local arts and crafts.

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- Cynthia Rodrigues