Away from the city’s chaos, LaLiT Mangar offers a rustic escape only an hour’s drive from Delhi
YS Life headed to the LaLiT Mangar in Faridabad, just outside Delhi-NCR, to experience the luxurious property and enjoy some downtime.
Today, travel is more of a necessity than a luxury—largely due to the never-ending work that dominates our schedules. With staycations becoming popular, enjoying some downtime without travelling long distances is now a reality for many. And if you are a resident of Delhi-NCR, there’s some good news for you.
You can now experience the rustic countryside and soak in quietude just an hour away from the national capital at the LaLiT Mangar in Faridabad.
It’s fascinating how a short drive allows you to escape the bustling city crowd to a luxurious nature retreat ensconced by the Aravallis—one of the oldest plateau ranges in the world. For the unversed, the mountain range is one of the last remaining patches of natural forests in Haryana.
It’s not very often that one feels too close to nature. Look outside your window and all you can view is urban townships. Fortunately, at The LaLiT Mangar, time stands still, and the tranquil environment steers you to appreciate your surroundings.
The rammed earth architecture at The LaLiT Mangar isn't just visually striking, it also offers several benefits
The Mangar Bani Valley—where the property is located—is one of Faridabad’s best-kept secrets. The verdant and breathtaking beautiful forest grove harbours rich flora and fauna.
Revered by the locals and protected through stringent guidelines on wood-cutting and grazing, the Mangar Bani Valley has about six lakh trees in a sprawling area of 677 acres. Historically, it is also believed to be one of the only regions that remained untouched during colonial rule.
YS Life recently spent a night at the LaLiT Mangar to experience the property and its state-of-the-art amenities.
The structure
At first glance, the resort resembles a cascading village—its natural contours seamlessly traverse from one courtyard to the other. The unique rammed earth architecture caught my attention. Created using raw materials like earth chalk and gravel, the 15-inch thick walls are insulated, thereby remaining cool in summers and warm in winters.
The resort offers several spaces to just sit back and enjoy the soothing views
The staff informed me that each wall is different in pattern, shade, and colour, largely as a consequence of the soil mix generated. The LaLiT Mangar is sustainable in its ethos. The use of rammed earth puts in perspective the thought put behind building a property that’s not just luxurious but also livable for guests.
Not only is rammed earth more durable and weather-resistant, but it is also appropriate for all kinds of climatic conditions. These buildings are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Luxurious accommodation and dining
The rammed earth structures are as gorgeous inside as they are on the outside! The LaLiT Mangar offers 35 luxurious suites, equipped with contemporary amenities and services. Since it’s a massive property, the staff arranged for a golf cart for us to get to our room.
The room is a perfect blend of tradition and modernity incorporated with local elements. My favourite was the ethnic embroidery on the bed headboard. However, the best part was the spectacular views of the Mangar Valley from the balcony of our room—one could enjoy the view with sheer peace and silence!
A well-appointed suite at LaLiT Mangar that strikes a balance between tradition and modernity
From waking up at dawn to catch a breathtaking sunrise to enjoying a cup of aromatic tea while reading a book, the balcony was my favourite spot during the staycation.
We devoured a wood-fire vegetable pizza that was fresh and flavourful
Food is an integral aspect of any experience, and The LaLiT Mangar ensured we had our fill of delectable dining. We had most of our meals at the hotel’s flagship restaurant, The Dining Room.
On the first day, the lunch served was Indian—butter chicken, their signature dal, and methi palak garnished with papad, perfectly paired with garlic naan.
In the evening, the staff set up a candlelight dinner on our suite balcony. This time, we went for a pizza and Thai green curry with steamed rice. The meal ended with a divine chocolate mud cake served with vanilla ice cream.
What I liked the most about the meals was they tasted delicious without being too heavy! Also, the staff was attentive and ensured everything was in place.
Unwind with activities
The LaLiT Mangar is a world in itself—you don’t really have to step out. The hotel staff will ensure they pack your day with activities you enjoy.
We recommend taking a guided trip to Mangar Lake, which is nothing short of a green oasis. Since we are in the season of sweltering heat, it is advised to head out early morning to breathe in the crisp air and enjoy chirping birds.
You could also head to Village Jewel—a jewellery museum in Mangar village—only a few minutes away from the property. You can take a look at artistic pieces collected from various states over 35 years. Unfortunately, there’s not much information about the period of the jewellery pieces. However, it is a treat to look at the vast collection!
Intricate pieces at the nearby jewellery museum in Mangar Village
No experience is as relaxing as spending a day in the spa, and the property has Rejuve to truly rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. I went for a Swedish therapy, and it was therapeutic. My spa therapist used some of the finest ingredients that didn’t just smell heavenly but also worked like magic on my aching nerves.
Evenings at The LaLiT Mangar are as magical as the mornings. The hotel organises star gazing sessions. Unfortunately, when we stayed here, the weather gods didn’t cooperate. We could only catch a glimpse of the moon hidden in a heavy cloud cover.
You could also enjoy a pottery session to get a taste of the rustic life. I felt grounded as I dipped my hands into the clay to create different shapes and objects. In fact, I had previously read that activities like pottery soothe the mind, and I experienced it first-hand at the hotel!
If you are looking to enjoy some time off with family and friends, head to The LaLiT Mangar and soak in the tranquillity. After all, everyone deserves some TLC!
Average cost with accommodation and meals (for two): Rs 15,000 + taxes
Edited by Suman Singh