More and more travellers are now seeking a contemporary version of agritourism – farm stays that blend beauty, luxury, and caring for the land. The idea is to slow down and experience something genuine, especially in a world overwhelmed by screens and constant stimulation. A rising interest in farming, a changed definition of well-being, and a desire for real-life connections is helping this trend grow.
Why Book a Farm Retreat?
Farm stays have grown beyond simple bed-and-breakfast and homemade jams. Today's version features curated meals made from ingredients grown right outside, stunning architecture, and soothing spas. Simply put, heading to a farm no longer means roughing it; it's about reconnecting with nature while also enjoying the polished service you'd expect from a five-star hotel.
Celebrity glamour is also fuelling the ‘back-to-the-land’ movement. Supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid are known to retreat to their family’s Pennsylvania farm, while Meghan Markle has offered glimpses of herself beekeeping with her daughter on Instagram. In India, Juhi Chawla has been vocal about her passion for organic farming, while Jackie Shroff frequently showcases slow living at his farmhouse in Lonavala. These curated moments of tranquillity are exactly what make farm stays so appealing.
If you are ready to unplug, here are some farm stays offering a perfect blend of luxury and a truly immersive experience with the land.
Dhyaana Farms
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra
A regular day at Dhyaana Farms could easily be sketched into a children’s storybook. Breakfast in a mango orchard, pony rides through tamarind groves, lunch made with vegetables from their own farm, an afternoon snooze in a gazebo, and tea on a machaan with views of the Sahyadri mountains. This four-acre farm stay is just an hour away from the airport in Aurangabad, but feels like a world away.
“The concept of luxury has changed for city dwellers. They are done with large hotels with marble floors and chandeliers. They are now looking for a serene place with an unhurried pace, good food, and walks and hikes in nature. Most farm stays are small in size and people do not have to worry about other guests, crowded buffets, and packed swimming pools,” explains Aparna Phalnikar, founder, Dhyaana Farms, a rustic-chic farm stay in Aurangabad.
Isla’s Ridge
Perumparai, Tamil Nadu
As you make your way up the winding road to Isla’s Ridge, you will discover a world of charm and tranquillity. With just five tastefully furnished bedrooms and a lounge wrapped around a fireplace, Isla’s Ridge feels cosy rather than crowded. Owner and designer Isla Loulou Van Damme lives onsite, instilling a sense of intimacy and community spirit. The farm’s produce is showcased at breakfast, where a generous spread includes eggs laid by the estate’s ducks, avocados and salads from the farm, herbs from the kitchen garden, slow-fermented breads, and homemade jams. Convivial meals are served family-style under a fig tree overlooking a tranquil valley. Take a peaceful stroll along the lush estate, engage with Loulou’s two ponies, Potluck and Blue Diamond, or hike the nearby hills, before returning to the estate for a dip in the pool.
The Chlorophyll Estate
Dahisar T. Manor, Maharashtra
Imagine walking through a three-acre fruit orchard, pausing to inhale the fresh scent of lemongrass and admire the rice paddies swaying all around. This is the setting at The Chlorophyll Estate, a bucolic farm stay just two hours from Mumbai. Owners Keyur and Nishit Barad spent years turning a barren plot purchased by their father into this lush and peaceful retreat. The four bedrooms are designed with large glass windows that pour warm sunlight into the room, and a chorus of birdsong throughout the day. Expect hearty meals with a focus on regional dishes. Take sun-kissed walks among fruit trees, explore stunning waterfalls nearby, or trek to historical forts. There’s also a pool, should you wish to stay in.
Bir Terraces
Nainital, Uttarakhand
Warmth and hospitality permeate this eight-acre estate that pairs a slice of farm life with three impeccably designed bedrooms and a living room with a fireplace. All the bedrooms are decked out with tall glass windows, which make ogling at the mountains the best pastime here. The retreat allows guests to slip into farm life intuitively. They can pitch in wherever they like, from picking rhododendron blooms for the sherbet to peaches and apricots for the dessert, and wild thyme and chives for the pizza. In-house dogs Joey and Kaalu lead the way on treks. Meals are an experience woven into the natural landscape: lunch under an oak tree, a barbecue under the sky, or a pizza fresh from a stone oven on the hillside.
Sangam Farms
Bhilwara, Rajasthan
Forget what you know about a traditional farm stay and instead gear up for a glamping experience at Sangam Farms. The opulent all-white tents centered around a serene fish pond are kitted out with four-poster beds, spacious baths, and minibars. Adding to the bespoke experience is a personal butler on call. From the temperature-controlled polyhouses that yield everything from mushrooms and tomatoes to fresh strawberries, to the dairy farm that provides milk, homemade butter, and gourmet cheese, every meal here offers a true farm-to-table experience. The choice of activities is as varied as the landscape itself. Feed the cows, pick fresh strawberries, ride horses across the estate, or explore the landscape on an ATV. Or maybe just surrender to a soothing massage.
