INDIA TODAY SPICE 23 AUGUST 2018Tree of Life
The Machan, LonavalaD
espite bearing the cross of a
prosaic name like Abode, this
boutique hotel, inspired by
Mumbai, is a well-kept secret, hidden in
chaotic Colaba. Housed in an antique
building, it’s 20 odd rooms are a veri-
table feast of vintage furniture, inspired
by the city, along with 20th century
colonial and Art Deco pieces lovingly
sourced from Mumbai’s second- hand
markets with interesting asides such as
bed side tables made from chaat stands
and book shelves inspired by Mumbai
roadside bookstores. With reclaimed
Burma teak floors and fabrics for soft
furnishings, sourced from vintage sa-
rees, local markets or handwoven by the
charitable organisation Women Weave,
sensibility and sentimentality walk hand
in hand at this exciting abode.
http://www.abodeboutiquehotels.com
By CHUMKI BHARADWAJA
far cry from the
boring familiarity
of cookie cutter
hotels, The Machan, a
tree house resort, is the
perfect crib for the spirited
who prefer an off-the-grid
property that’s high on
sustainability. Even better,
it offers jungle living within
easy access of both Mumbai
and Pune. The 18-year-
old property that was first
designed as a home, now
boasts 27 types of mach-
ans; most of the structures
are elevated to 35-45 feet
above ground level di-
rectly over the forest. Each
machan looks like a float-
ing platform made entirely
out of recyclable materials,
whether it’s wood, glass
or steel.
The interiors are simple
but warm with sheesham
and rattan work furniture
from Indonesia and light
fixtures that have been
sourced from a broken ship.
With old rugs and antique
switchboards, electricity
from the wind and solar
energies, it’s a Tarzan-
lifestyle with a good
conscience overload.
http://www.themachan.com
By CHUMKI BHARADWAJHistory in
Residence
Abode, MumbaiTIMEOUT
Abode is an
ode to
Mumbai cityHIGH LIFE
The solar panelled
facade (top) and
the interiors
are a nod to
sustainability (left)