Orange County Resort

The real star is the district of Coorg where this resort is based. You may or may not choose to stay in this resort but it will make no difference to the charms exercised by Coorg - a hilly district in South India redolent with coffee plantations and verdant forests.

The resort has the usual suspects - gym, swimming pool, cofee shops, a Ayurvedic Centre for stress relaxation and even its own private lake- but that would be missing the point. I stayed for a week but spent most of my time exploring the countryside. The unusual feature of this resort is that it is designed on the lines of a mock English Tudor village. The service is courteous and it comes as no surprise to learn that it has been awarded the RCI Award for excellence 5 times consecutively.

The forest teems with wildlife. Elephants come to the edge of the resort and you are warned by the resort not to wander around after sunset. Evenings are best spent in front of your fireplace with a long glass of whisky.

Rooms are not luxurious. Bathrooms are basic but clean. Kitchennettes are small but adequate. Arm yourself with books and walking shoes and this will be a trip to remember.