Rapid tap-tap-tap followed by sweet chirping woke me from a deep sleep. I flew out of my warm bed, grabbed my camera and flung the door wide open only to realise what mistake I made. The blast of cold winter air hit me so hard, mist welcomed me and I was bare-feet. But that morning, a brown-breasted woodpecker and a couple of Himalayan bulbul were chosen over warmth. Waking up to the cold fresh air, no sound of horn (or people for that matter) was such a blessed feeling for a city-dweller in desperate need of some peace and quiet. And the quiet I got I finally got to meet Quaint at 7 Pines in Kasauli. A little further away from the main road, a winding road took me through chir-pines and a lot of wild flowers and brought me to this pretty boutique hotel with an English touch. The hotel 7 Pines is a perfect choice for a relaxed stay amidst nature, its Colonial ambience and the warmth of a home are definitely something to write home about. But dear readers, this is it. This is what 7 Pines is all about--a truly relaxed stay. In short 7 Pines is peaceful, quiet and extremely laid-back. Here are five (very compelling) reasons why you should consider this hilly retreat.

One With Nature

It is not just limited to the location. At 7 Pines, nature is given the utmost importance. From the decor to what you eat, you can see the presence of nature in everything that 7 Pines is about. From pretty flowery curtains to shutters, from the comfortable patio furniture to the garden-fresh salads, everything makes one feel good and sun-shiney Every room opens up to either a garden view or the forest view (my personal favourite) or the Shimla view. Every where you look, you will see green and pretty wild flowers.
Also, the good folks at 7 Pines love their birds. The hotel and its surroundings are home to more than 37 species of birds. Blue whistling thrush, Russet sparrow, gray treepie, brown breasted woodpecker were just some of the many birds that paid me a visit.

Uninterrupted Holiday

You are holidaying in the Kasauli Hills and you will be reminded of it everywhere you look. The cozy and comfortable double bedrooms have their own verandah that overlooks the Shimla Hills and the verdant chir-pine forests. The rooms The Hazel Standard Rooms, Pine Deluxe Rooms, Pine Superior Rooms, Cedar Family Rooms, and Cedar Executive Rooms, they all have separate uninterrupted entry, a separate lounge area, and even an isolated outdoor dining space. Easy access for the elderly makes the place all the more special.

Quaint

Each section of the hotel&mdashDeluxe, Superior, Family and Executive&mdashhave their own beautiful living room and an elegant study where you can sit down with a book and coffee perhaps. The rooms don't come with a television. It's their way of telling you to enjoy the fresh air. For all your television needs, there's the study.

Eat Good

At 7 Pines, they believe in eating good and organic. That's why, all vegetables are either sourced from the nearby local market or from the organic garden patch. &nbspAll meals are traditional homely meals prepared by the in-house chefs. Dine at Cherries & Plums or my personal favourite, Hazel, the Patio. Dining with the view of verdant hills makes the food taste better. Or is it just me Visit 7 Pines to find out for yourself.

Walk In The Forest
Early morning nature-walk with a resident guide and three very special companions&mdashAloo, Bhindi and Lauki (hotel's friendly four-legged furry staff) through the forest is something you should not miss. The walk is an easy one with no steep climb. But be careful with the narrow trail. With a little bit of caution, the nature walk should be a fun one.

The Information

Getting there Kasauli is about six hours by road from Delhi. From Chandigarh, Kasauli is just and hour and a half away by road.

Contact 91 95 5508 8000 (for reservations) bookings@leisurehotels.in