Nivaant @ Vicharays — Hotel in Maharashtra

If temperatures soar to 43 deg C, bike rides can't be fun, so when my Mumbai - Pavana Lake weekend ride got cancelled a few hours before the start, it was time to look around for better options for the free weekend. And what better than to latch on to a couple of my friends who had left for Alibaug with families for a weekend retreat at Nivaant @ Vicharays.||||So they were intimated accordingly and after necessary packing and shopping, me and my family hopped into the car, headed from the southernmost tip of Mumbai (Colaba) to Alibaug. The roads were kind of OK, but traffic was bad when exiting Mumbai - blame the repairs to flyovers that really frustrated us. At the end of a tiring 4 hour drive in peak traffic, however, when we approached the location at Chaul, about 17 km from Alibaug, the setting sun, fresh air and wonderful Konkan scenery absolutely rejuvenated us. We sped through the last stretch, windows open, wind in our hair for a fantastic last half hour of drive!||We almost missed the turn from the main road that takes us to Nivaant, so my advise to those visiting is to start monitoring Google maps carefully when it says you are 500m from your destination. ||The place was beautifully done up, from the entrance onwards. Lot of attention to detail. It may appear small initially, but was more than comfortable for hosting 10 of us, with large rooms, a very tastefully decorated verandah, and the beautiful terrace. The bungalow is flanked by vast coconut plantation. The entire bungalow was for us. With family members, I felt even 15 people could fit in!!||Their description on Airbnb surprisingly says that the place is not recommended for pets but one of my friends had got along her playful Labrador and he had a whale of a time, making merrry in the campus, with the kids in tow, and he could happily settle down for the night in the verandah.||||The Maharashtrian food cooked by the caretaker was absolutely delicious. Of course, once the drinks started flowing, food took a back seat! Then there was this memorable jam session post dinner, which went on till 4 am!! The terrace was all for us and no complaints from the neighbourhood (A pleasant change from the Mumbai societies!!)|| Early next day we headed to the beach, about 5-10 min drive. It was breathtaking... massive beach and absolutely empty, that too on a Sunday morning with ongoing summer vacations in Maharashtra! Played hours of cricket followed by some watersports, buggy rides etc.||Though we had planned to leave early from Nivaant, we couldn't help settling down for a nice afternoon siesta after lunch and finally left only after a round of evening chai.||Overall, the weekend was what every metro family looks forward to - gathering of family and friends in a warm and cosy set-up, excellent food and drinks, music under starry skies and a beach to die for!! The fact that no ACs have been fitted in the bungalow and yet it was so comfortable really impressed us.|| ||Three cheers to the owners Payal and Mandar who took all the care to make us comfortable and also the local caretakers - their entire family were on their toes to ensure we had a great time and all this at prices that can be called a steal deal!||||I am already planning our next Bikers Group Meet here. Even otherwise will return soon for sure for more "Nivaant" times...

Me and my family joined two other families over the weekend at Nivaant@Vicharays and it was one weekend worth its time!! The roads from Mumbai were kind of OK, but traffic was bad when exiting Mumbai - blame the repairs to flyovers that really frustrated us. At the end of a tiring 3 hour drive in peak traffic, however, when we hit the Alibaug belt, the setting sun, fresh air and wonderful Konkan scenery absolutely rejuvenated us. We sped through the last stretch, windows open, wind in our hair for a fantastic last hour of drive to chaul, about 17km from Alibaug!

We almost missed the turn from the main road that takes us to Nivaant, so my advise to those visiting is to start monitoring Google maps carefully when it says you are 500m from your destination. The place was beautifully done up, from the entrance onwards. Lot of attention to detail. It may appear small initially, but was more than comfortable for hosting 10 of us, with large rooms, a very tastefully decorated verandah, and the beautiful terrace. The bungalow is flanked by vast coconut plantation. The entire bungalow was for us. With family members, I felt even 15 people could fit in!!

Their description on Airbnb surprisingly says that the place is not recommended for pets but one of my friends had got along her playful Labrador and he had a whale of a time, making merrry in the campus, with the kids in tow, and he could happily settle down for the night in the verandah.

The Maharashtrian food cooked by the caretaker was absolutely delicious. Of course, once the drinks started flowing, food took a back seat! Then there was this memorable jam session post dinner, which went on till 4 am!! The terrace was all for us and no complaints from the neighbourhood (A pleasant change from the Mumbai societies!!) Early next day we headed to the beach, about 5-10 min drive. It was breathtaking... massive beach and absolutely empty, that too on a Sunday morning with ongoing summer vacations in Maharashtra! Played hours of cricket followed by some watersports, buggy rides etc.

Though we had planned to leave early from Nivaant, we couldn't help settling down for a nice afternoon siesta after lunch and finally left only after a round of evening chai.

Overall, the weekend was what every metro family looks forward to - gathering of family and friends in a warm and cosy set-up, excellent food and drinks, music under starry skies and a beach to die for!! The fact that no ACs have been fitted in the bungalow and yet it was so comfortable really impressed us.

Three cheers to the owners Payal and Mandar who took all the care to make us comfortable and also the local caretakers - their entire family were on their toes to ensure we had a great time and all this at prices that can be called a steal deal!

I am already planning our next Bikers Group Meet here. Even otherwise will return soon for sure for more "Nivaant" times...

We stayed at Nivaant in the first week of Nov 2018. A family outing with two grandparents, two adults, two kids and one dog :) Had a great time. Nivaant completely lives upto its name... Truly a 'Nivaant laid back' time. This homestay has a huge supari and coconut tree plantation alongside it. Fitted with a hammock for a relaxed book reading time beneath the trees.

Things that we did: A beach run each evening! Closest beach (10 min drive) is very clean and not crowded... Revdanda beach. The only commercial business was a handcart laden with coconuts! Nagaon beach was a 25 min drive away and had access to water sports... More humans... More commercial.. Even saw camel rides, horse carriage rides etc.

Dataa mandir very closeby... Car parking at base of hill and about 700 steps climb up... Steps were not steep... Stone benches available on the hike up to rest.... Public water fountain available.. (but only one had running water and source was a bit iffy) recommend to carry ur own water. On the wY up there is a Swami Akkalkot mandir and a mini ganapati - datta- shiva mandir....where u can take a break. Takes about 45 mins to and hour climbing up all the way based on ur speed. My dog and kids were much faster than us!

Caretaker arranged for someone to harvest coconuts off a tree on the plantation. Was a real treat to watch and then actually drink the water and eat the tender coconut that was just picked!!

My dog loved hanging out off leash on the property. Only challenge was that we had to keep a strict eye on him whenever the farm chickens strutted by. There are two resident indie dogs, but they keep to the caretaker S's residence mostly.

To note: The homestay is small and cosy.. Enough sleeping arrangements, but for a large family be ready to share your space :) Better season to visit would be the cooler months ... It was comfortable inside the house but early Nov was quite humid outside. If u need activity... Be sure to carry games etc. TV and WIFI was working well.

Food was very good and on demand. Both non veg and veg dishes were tasty. We carried our own alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. The caretaker Suresh and his wife Sangeeta are nice and had good suggestions. My younger son wants me to add that we can even hang out on the roof! Have...