EXTRAORDINARY PLACES TO STAY
WHAT IS THE WILD (WOW) FACTOR? Few
residences are at 2,500m above sea level, so the
Wildflower Hall is pretty unique among all the
other luxury hotels in the world. The mountain
retreat is renowned for its pristine nature and
offers a range of curated Oberoi Experiences to
help all guests maximise their time in this
wonderful location. The main restaurant spans
a smart, brightly lit indoor dining space with a
charming glass conservatory and intimate
seating arrangements both indoor and
outdoors. Food lovers will enjoy pan-Indian,
Asian and Continental cuisines served. Adorned
with antique war memorabilia, the Cavalry Bar
is a wonderful place for an aperitif and an
interactive history session. Each room and suite
celebrates the area’s rich colonial heritage and
natural charm. Furniture are mostly
handcrafted, and are accompanied by Burmese
teak floorboards.BEYOND ITS BEAUTIFUL WALLS? Nestled
high in the Himalayas, 8,250ft above sea level,
the resort is equivalent to a fairytale setting
within a fragrant pine and cedar forest. Guests
can enhance their stay with a rejuvenating spa
ritual using Ayurvedic techniques, experience a
sumptuous picnic specially crafted by in-house
masterchefs to be enjoyed in the nature or head
on an invigorating walk along the delightful
Wild Strawberry Trail that skirts the Shimla
Water Catchment Sanctuary.RATE: US$318++ per night
oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-shimla-wfh- WILDFLOWER^
HALL, SHIMLA IN
THE HIMALAYS
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh,
India- THE BERKELEY
RIVER LODGE
Kimberley, Western Australia- PADMA^
RESORT UBUD
Ubud, Bali, IndonesiaPHOTOGRAPHS: WILDFLOWER HALL, SHIMLA IN THE HIMALAYS, THE BERKELEY RIVER LODGE, PADMA RESORT UBUDWHAT IS THE WILD (WOW) FACTOR?
Ensconced within an untouched river valley
overlooking the enchanting bamboo forests of
Ubud, Padma Resort is the perfect idyllic resort
to rejuvenate weary bodies and soul. The
149-room resort may sound big and noisy, but
it is quite the opposite with its peaceful
surrounding. Accommodation types range from
the Premier Room to the luxurious Two-
Bedroom Suite that showcases breathtaking
views above the endless canopy of tropical
forest. Each bedroom is appointed with the
finest quality king-size bed, custom-crafted
furnishings, unique home accessories and
spa-like ambience for guests to be pampered
with in the deep soaking bathtub or the outdoor
Jacuzzi. Located on the top floor of the resort,
The Puhu Restaurant & Lounge boasts a
panoramic 180-degree view of the forest and
terraced rice paddies beyond.BEYOND ITS BEAUTIFUL WALLS?
Complimentary weekly activities invite guests to
experience the natural beauty of the surrounding.
Yoga, bicycling, agroforestry visits, scavenger
hunts, animal garden visits, daily Balinese
conversation, village visits, and making simple
crafts are some of the many experiences guests
may indulge in. Alternatively, joggers can elevate
their personal fitness regime along Padma Ubud’s
innovative jogging and walking track that
meanders through 1.5km of lush tropical gardens
and crystal clear waters that flow beneath the
resort. The stone track is well-paved and is open
from 7am-7pm daily.RATE: US$210++ per night
padamaresortubud.comWHAT IS THE WILD (WOW) FACTOR? Not
many accommodations get more inaccessible than
this. Getting to Berkeley can count as an adventure
in itself as the resort is only accessible by air.
Visitors will leave the modern city life behind and
indulge in the rhythms of nature within the
luxurious villas atop the coastal dunes of the area.
Each air-conditioned villa features a king-sized bed
and open-air en-suite complete with dual vanities
and a freestanding bath tub for bathing in the
Kimberley moonlight. Beyond the dramatic glass
frontage of the cool interior, the occasional seating
and daybed on the deck allows guests to laze away
all day. The lodge offers a casual yet decadentdining experience featuring meals cooked to order,
and degustation dinner menus teamed with a fine
selection of Australian wines.BEYOND ITS BEAUTIFUL WALLS? There are
many ways to immerse in the local experience
but the one that must be taken is the river
cruise. Cruise and hike to Casuarina Falls for a
cooling dip in the secluded waterholes of
Berkeley Creek while spotting native flora and
fauna. For other adventures, take on the bush &
beach 4WD tours that take in sweeping ocean
views and curious rock formations, cast a line
and chase an impressive array of fish or join the
resident turtle enthusiast to watch sea turtles in
their natural habitats.RATE: US$1,464++ per night
berkeleyriverlodge.com.au45