Amaraya by Araiya Anthology Is A Quaint Luxury Boutique Stay Just 7-hours From Delhi
- Arushi Sakhuja
- Apr 10
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 13
Mundane hotels, clockwork itineraries with restaurants, pools, spas and the same experiences in new destinations are beginning to feel less appealing to today’s traveller. Thus, giving rise to boutique hotels offering something more real, grounded and experiential. We recently visited Amaraya by Araiya Anthology, a charming, quaint, and cosy property. This 11-key boutique luxury stay is a comfortable 6–7 hour drive from the hustle of Delhi and about 25 km from Nainital, set in the quiet hills of Gagar, Uttarakhand. Spread across 2.5 acres of terraced orchards, this intimate sanctuary is all about doing nothing—slowing down, soaking in Himalayan views, and being surrounded by lush flora and foliage in shades of green, yellow, soft red, and rust. Here, the views naturally make you pause, breathe deeply, and unwind.
A small wrought iron gate opens into the property, which looks as beautiful on a rainy day as it does on a crisp sunny day. Manicured lawns and a stone pathway lined with colourful flowers lead you into the common area. Inside, large curved sofas with built-in tables and modern swivel chairs sit alongside French Modern-style wall detailing, Victorian-era chandeliers, a romantic piano, and wrought iron accents. While large bay windows overlook Himalayan peaks on one side and a lush forest on the other. Above, a glass ceiling and a grand wrought iron chandelier stretching across two stories create a majestic, palatial atmosphere.
Luxe Stays
The property is divided into two wings, "ama" and "raya", with five and six rooms respectively. Ama, the main building, houses the temple, common areas, private garden, and restaurant. On the upper level, premium rooms come with private sit-outs overlooking oak and deodar forests, including an attic suite with a skylight where you can lie in bed and gaze at the sky late into the night. Raya, on the other hand, features more secluded and luxurious suites, a private garden and decks, making it ideal for couples and families.
Rooms across both wings are designed to draw the outdoors in. Whether it is a deluxe room, attic suite, or a spacious luxury suite with a private patio, each space opens out to sweeping mountain or valley views. Named after elements of the Kumaon landscape—rivers, birds, and peaks such as Kosi and Kasturi—the rooms carry a strong sense of place. Looking over the verdant forest of oak, spruce and rhododendron and Himalayan peaks, the rooms are drenched in soft, muted tones with wooden floors and a subtle old-world charm —more like a Victorian era — private patios, cosy corners, plush sofas, glass ceilings in attic rooms, and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors gently bring the outdoors inside. Muted tone quilted bedspreads, thick carpets and wooden flooring evoke the feeling of a cosy mountain home. What really stands out are the thoughtful details that are equipped to make guests feel comfortable even in the peak of winter — heating-controlled bathroom floors, remote-controlled curtains, towel warmers, and toasty Japanese TOTO toilet seats.
The true highlight, however, is the view. Each room overlooks pristine peaks, and on clear days, you can spot snow-covered mountains, including Trishul and Nanda Devi. Mornings are magical as sunlight lights up the Himalayas, while rainy days bring mist and clouds that surround you, and evenings bring cool air and colourful sunsets that pair well with a glass of red wine.
While the suites are spacious, the attic rooms, with their plush sofas and glass ceilings, stood out as my personal favourites, along with the luxury suite’s common area, perfect for unwinding. What truly impressed me was the thoughtful layout of the rooms. In the Raya wing, suites are designed to offer both privacy and a sense of togetherness, with shared common spaces and balconies, ideal for families. For larger groups, the option to book an entire wing adds to the appeal.
That said, I found myself leaning towards the Ama wing. Its expansive lawns, reminiscent of classic British gardens, paired with uninterrupted valley views, create a setting that feels both open and serene. The marble temple, too, became a quiet, grounding space for me each morning. Another highlight is the seamless accessibility from the junior suites to the main restaurant, private deck, and garden, which are all just a flight of stairs away. Overall, the property offers abundant natural light with smart architecture and interiors.
On The Palate
Food takes centre stage at Amaraya. With just 28 guests at full capacity, the boutique stay offers a personalised dining experience at its multi-cuisine restaurant led by Chef Satish. Guests can dine in-room, at the restaurant, or opt for private garden dinners and bonfire evenings outdoors, moving indoors when it gets colder to enjoy meals by the fireplace with a pianist playing soft tunes.
The menu spans Indian, continental, pan-Asian, and Italian. A standout dish for us was the delicacy — Himalayan Trout — that comes in a preparation of both tandoori and continental, served with mashed potatoes and sauteed veggies. As we indulged in the Kumaoni Thali, the nourishing red rice, Bichu Butti Saag (a very healthy choice), rhododendron juice, local dal, pahadi chicken, ragi roti, and millet kheer left us feeling satisfied and full, yet eager to continue enjoying the meal. On colder days, perfectly crisp pakoras with masala chai felt heartwarming, while the arrabbiata penne pasta offered a comforting indulgence. Chef Satish also surprised us with one of the most unique desserts—the kiwi panna cotta. Fresh and light, it struck the perfect balance between sweet and tart. Healthy eating came with Buratta salad, and Pahadi khichadi, giving our gut the cleanse and reset it needed. And if you’re craving a mid-day indulgence, high tea on the deck as the sun sets is an experience worth pausing for.
To complement the mood with a tipple, the property will soon open a cigar lounge, designed with leather quilted sofas, wooden interiors, and a floor-to-ceiling door leading to an outdoor smoking area.
Engage Your Senses
Beauty at Amaraya by Araiya Anthology lies in the outdoor — open decks, canopied forest, views of terrace farming, and large outdoor spaces. Here, adventure seekers will thrive, and screens will be put to rest. There’s plenty to do for those who are outdoorsy—treks, sunset picnics, and bonfire dinners.
The Tagore Top Trek is a fairly challenging 4.5 km (approximately 3-hours) trek with steep, narrow natural paths in the middle of the forest. The trail is quiet and peaceful, surrounded by oak trees, lush greenery, the earthy smell of pine, and red rhododendrons along the way. It culminates at the moss-covered ruins of the house where Rabindranath Tagore once stayed. This calm hilltop is believed to be where he wrote some of the beautiful verses of Gitanjali.
In contrast, the Kulethi Forest Walk & Picnic is much easier, with flatter paths that make it ideal for a relaxed and calming experience. Along the way, you’ll find shaded spots, lovely views of plants and mountain ranges, and the trail ends at a sunset point overlooking Bhimtal Lake—perfect for simply slowing down and enjoying nature
For those looking to unwind, morning and evening yoga sessions and sound healing offer a gentle reset. Evenings are best spent listening to the pianist play soft, soothing music. As the sun sets, you can head indoors, pick up a book, or enjoy board games with family. Some of the best spots include the first floor in the Ama wing, where the TV room is located, or the attic room in the Raya wing with views of the forest and sky.
The large double-height lobby, with its statement chandelier, is also a beautiful place to sit back and do nothing. And once night falls, the bonfire dinners and private garden setups are truly special.
Whether it’s a quiet cup of tea in the morning overlooking the mountains or an—Abhishek, Tarun, and Manohar—whose care adds a thoughtful, personal touch.
Whether it is a quiet morning tea overlooking the peaks or an intimate evening under the stars, the experience is made even better by the warm and attentive staff—Abhishek, Tarun, and Manohar.
Room Rates: Doubles at Amayara start at INR 20,000; suites at INR 31,500 ++
Experiences Price List: The Tagore Top guided trail is priced at INR 3,500; Kulethi Forest Walk & Picnic is priced at INR 2,500; Sound Healing is priced at INR 3,500
How to Reach
Drive: 6.5-7 hour drive from Delhi NCR
Air: Closest airport Pantnagar, followed by a 3-4 hour drive
Train: Closest station Kathgodam, followed by a 2-hour drive
Address: Bhowali-Ramgarh-Mukteshwar Rd, Gagar, Ramgarh, Uttarakhand, South Gola Range 263132 India
For Reservations:
Phone: (+91) 2245399444 or (+91) 9286103730
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