Ever thought of waking up to the sight and sound of a waterfall next to your bed? Or walking barefoot in meadows sipping a cup of coffee as you soak in the greenery? It’s all possible if you are at one of Leonia’s cascade suites. Away from the hustle-bustle of the city, the annoying traffic snarls and the usual touristy haunts of Secunderabad and Hyderabad, this place rests in the lap of nature with open grounds as far as one’s eyes can travel. There are all kinds of fun activities like paintball, football, lawn tennis and cricket. It wouldn’t be wrong to call Leonia a mini-township, what with its own mini theatre playing the latest blockbusters.
Depending on budgets, there are a lot of stay options. If the sky is your limit, then it’s the Lion’s Den Suite for you — the ultimate in luxury, with temperature-controlled private pool, media, study and board room, and mini kitchen with chefs cooking dishes of your choice. The other options are the presidential, ethnic, leisure, honeymoon and business suites — all with attached pools.
I was at one of the resort’s 32 cascade suites, which come with two king-sized beds and a door that leads out to a mini plunge pool with a cascade. Next to it is an open-air shower. Except on rainy days, no one would want to leave the plunge pool, preferring to wine and dine right there. Also possible — just make sure you place your orders at least an hour in advance.
Leonia is a place where you can never be bored. There are activities galore and a spa for those who are inclined for leisure. Harassed parents, note: the spa even has massages for babies! Besides this, there are long nature walks, which can tempt even the laziest of holidayers to put on their walking shoes. At Leo Juventa, find a state-of-the-art gym and aqua gym.
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Name: Leonia Holistic Destination
Contact: Bommaraspet, Shameerpet, Ranga Reddy District, Hyderabad 500 078; Ph: +91 40 6640 0000; >www.leonia.in
Tariff: Rs. 5,000+ (business wing and suites); Rs. 12,000+ (Cascade); Rs 4.5 lakh+ (Lion's Den)
We Like
Well kept pools and grounds
Clutter-free rooms
Spa easily the city’s best
We Diss
Snail’s pace room service
Disappointing buffets, certainly not a place for foodies!
Bathrooms could be cleaner
(The writer was at the resort on invitation)