The Hindu Business Line : Short, light break

This Diwali weekend, Mumbaikars are heading to the nearest resort to celebrate, unwind and come back recharged. And they are indeed spoilt for choice.

For those who want the hills, there’s Matheran, Mahabaleshwar, Lonavala and Khandala, while those who want the beach have Alibaug, Kashid, Gorai and Madh Island to choose from. And for those who want just a change of air, Chiplun, Pune and Nasik are great weekend getaways — near enough to travel without much ado, and yet far away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. Then, there’s the all-time favourite — Goa — just a 40-minute flight away, and yet a world apart.

For Mumbaikars, weekending is serious business, especially if it happens to be an extended one like this Diwali. “The first semester exams have just finished and everyone is free and needs a break. After sprucing up the house for Diwali, making sweets and preparing for exams, this is a great time to celebrate and what’s better than taking a luxurious two-night-three-day package at a resort and indulging,” says Matunga-based homemaker Lata Iyer, who made her reservation at Lonavala’s Fariyas Resort a good two months ago.

Even as families are gearing up for Diwali weekend celebrations, hoteliers too are working overtime to cope with the heavy rush of bookings. “Till a month ago, business was in doldrums, first due to the dark clouds of recession and then the H1N1 scare. But for a month now — particularly during the three extended weekends coinciding with Dasara, Eid and now Diwali — things have looked up sharply and we are running nearly 100 per cent occupancy over the weekends,” says Prabhakar Shetty, owner of Prakruti Resorts in Kashid. Gone are the ‘healthy’ discounts, and resort owners across destinations are quoting rack rates — and still have no rooms to spare.

This weekend is a particularly preferred one for those looking for a quick break, as all the festivities of Diwali would be behind them before the weekend sets in. “Most families are opting to leave home immediately after the traditional Lakshmi Puja today, and head for a clean three-day break from tomorrow until Monday, before getting back to work on Tuesday,” says Perumal Mudliar of Navi Mumbai-based Flag Travel Services.

Star hotels, especially four- and five-star, are among the most preferred by the weekenders. “The kids are busy at the pool and safe in the presence of the lifeguard, the rooms are plush, there’s a lot of greenery and the choice of food is amazing for all the meals. What more do you want on a weekend out?” quips Renuka Tambe, welcoming her three-day break from the kitchen.

A current favourite with Mumbai’s jet-set weekenders is the Radisson Resort and Spa at Alibaug, which opened just a year ago, and has all the trappings for a luxurious break. “Our beach resort along the Arabian Sea has the Mandara Spa of Thailand, offering some of the finest spa treatments and relaxing massages,” says a hotel spokesperson. “The packages range from Rs 15,000 to Rs 1 lakh a night, depending on the room and services availed.”

Apart from those heading to holiday resorts, there are others who are driving away to their weekend homes — with family and friends in tow. “We did our share of resort hopping and destination mapping for years, before we finally settled for our weekend home in Lonavala. The beautiful view of the valley, the chill in the morning air, the laidback atmosphere of the place and the slow pace of life are a great way to de-stress; even a couple of days in Lonavala are enough to recharge our batteries for the working week in Mumbai,” says Chembur resident Abhishek Sharma, who has planned a big Diwali bash on Sunday, and is expecting 20-25 of his close friends to turn up for the party.

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