On our drive from Mumbai as the car took the road forking on the right, the change in scenery was apparent. The terrain became a bit rocky, the number of vehicles slowly disappeared, hamlets appeared, and the hills came into view. We drove past some derelict structures, saw villagers cycling to their destination, and greenery in abundance. As we entered through the gates of SATORI in Mulshi, the air felt cooler and we were warmly greeted by the staff. Our walk to our two-bedroom cottage named Hornbill gave us a glimpse of the property’s lush landscape boasting of over 200 plant species including a medicinal herb garden as well as a farm with fresh vegetables and fruiting trees. The crowning glory, however, was the view from our verandah that opened to uninterrupted vistas of Lake Mulshi surrounded by the Sahyadri range. For weary city folks, this scenic switch in setting from buildings and streets to clear skies, a water body and flora, is enough to provide some much-needed respite, but SATORI had more treasures in store.
Here, guests book cottages or chalets catering to different group sizes. For instance, couples can opt for Aves, one-bedroom independent cottages, while large groups can choose between Perch Royale or Regal that offer three and four bedrooms with a living room and balcony, respectively. Like Hornbill, another two-bedroom villa, WoodHouse, is also up for grabs. The boutique stay that has been conceptualised by husband-wife duo Shishir and Sadhana Baijal, and executed by architect Mustafa Sura, is designed to provide ample privacy with just 14 cottages spread across 10 acres of land. The addition of nature’s bounty and mindful offerings make SATORI a wonderful eco-retreat that’s built and run with love, care and passion. I sat down with the Mumbai-based couple one afternoon in their newly-built store at the property where they sell farm produce such as fresh turmeric powder, aromatic Indrayani rice, mango pickles, et al, to learn more. Having lived and worked globally including in countries like New Zealand, Seychelles, Australia, etc, they come with prior experience in the hospitality industry, but did not have a set plan to create such a stay when they bought this parcel of land almost a decade ago. “We loved the landscape and the tranquil vibes here, and initially just built a room for ourselves. Slowly we started developing it further, planting more trees, and envisioning the space,” shares Shishir. Sadhana, who initially thought of building an artist retreat here but pivoted to cater to a wider spectrum of guests, is also the interior designer of all the rooms. “Through our work experience and travels, we’ve imbibed and implemented green practices, minimalism and sustainability in the creation of SATORI. This is reflected in our architecture that features locally-sourced stone and materials, thoughtfully designed for rest and restoration. For the interiors, I’ve sourced furniture pieces and decor from all over India, for sensory living and soft spatial transitions that evoke a sense of calm,” she adds.
Walking on the earthy red oxide flooring in our room that stays cool even in summers, feeling the texture of the limewash finish on the wall, and taking a nap on the rope-woven charpoy in the balcony made for charming pauses during our stay. For meals, we headed to The Nest, a towering structure with Mangalore tiles roof where communal dining for all guests takes place. A sumptuous spread of regional delicacies using produce from the property’s farm was laid out while two ladies prepared fresh ragi bhakris topped with ghee. The joy of a simple, organic meal using fresh ingredients is another highlight at SATORI. While the kitchen team experiments with dishes such as bite-sized pizzas, zucchini chutney, and more, the local chefs excel in Maharashtrian cuisine, adding a rustic touch to the whole experience.
A dip in the swimming pool, watching the sun go down, sipping on herbal tea, and taking a stroll post dinner as crickets chirped were other things we enjoyed on our first day at SATORI. “We want our guests to decide their pace when here. They can absolutely do nothing and simply soak in the vistas, relish the meals and rejuvenate, or indulge in activities like a game of pickleball, volleyball, village walks, horticulture tour. We are also close to many trekking spots and offer guided treks to Tailbaila Fort, Tamhini Ghat, Andharban and Kundalika Valley, all accessible from here,” says Shishir. To get a closer look of Lake Mulshi, we headed for a short jungle trek the next morning. The icing on the cake was having no other person apart from our guide in the vicinity. The cool breeze, sound of water lapping against the shore, and view of the distant hills on the other side melted away our stress as we paused to unwind in nature’s lap.
“Satori is a Japanese Buddhist term that translates to ‘a moment of sudden enlightenment’, and we hope that our guests experience this when they visit our lakeside sanctuary,” concludes Sadhana.
Cottage bookings at SATORI can be made via SaffronStays
