The sunbird retreat

We wanted a quiet stay and got the silence we were looking for. The location was good, and when we brought our dog, the staff supported us and our pet throughout. Go for it if you’re after a peaceful place.

The sunbird retreat was a great find for working remotely among beautiful mountains, about an hour from Nainital. It’s quiet, quaint, and well maintained, and the staff are helpful and willing to adjust the cooking to your liking. It’s pet-friendly too, which is a real plus for pet lovers. The garden could use better care: some flowering trees had dried up, and there were chips and bottles left around, probably by earlier guests. Cleaning that up would help. I’d highly recommend it for a quiet getaway.

I had a couple of hygiene concerns. I saw serving staff touch a cat and then handle food without washing their hands, and the cat would go into the kitchen too. I also left my towel drying outside my room, where a dog peed on it. I’m sure they’ll wash it and pass it on to the next guest.

The only awkward part is getting up from the road to the retreat. The steps are steep, so take care if you’re bringing older people. Once there, it’s a peaceful spot about 15 km from Nainital in Pangot, between Bagar Malla and Bagar Talla, with five cottages and two Geodesic Domes. The wooden cottages are roomy and very clean, each with a great view and a balcony where you can have tea or spread out a Monopoly game with the family. The dining area sits on the same level and has glass on three sides, so it gets loads of natural light. Most of the food was very good. They’re happy to have pets. Olive, their Bhutia pup, is around the property, and Sher Khan, a very friendly male tabby, visits. A lovely little hideaway for quiet, views, and comfort.