Atlas/meghalaya/Luxury Retreat: Spacious Lake-View Cottages

Luxury Retreat: Spacious Lake-View Cottages

Shillong· 4.5 · 1803 stays

“A home perched by the water near Shillong. The private balconies open to serene waters and misty Khasi hills. The food is excellent, the service warm and attentive. A place to unwind after exploring Meghalaya, maybe with a Khasi massage at the spa. It’s a quiet stay, away from the city.”

A look around

What's here

Waking up here is often the highlight. The first thing you see from your balcony is the wide, calm water and the green, rolling hills on the other side. The home is built into the hillside, a collection of rooms and cottages with distinctive pointed roofs that echo traditional Khasi architecture. Pine trees dot the property, and there are quiet lawns to walk on. The rooms are split between a main building and separate cottages. Some cottages, like C4 and C5, are interconnected, which works well for families. Others come with their own fireplace and jacuzzi. Every room has a private balcony facing the water. As one guest put it, "waking up to the serene waters and misty hills was easily the highlight of the stay." The kitchen keeps a focused menu, but guests agree the quality is high. "Food choices r limited BUT all r excellent," one review notes. The service is often mentioned as the best part of the stay. The team is attentive and kind, without being intrusive. "The people here are what truly make this place amazing," said a recent guest. "Thoughtful, professional, and lovely in every interaction." After a day of trekking, the in-house spa offers a range of treatments, including a Khasi massage.

What guests wrote

4.5· 1803 stays

“We had an absolutely wonderful stay at this resort. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional — attentive, kind, and genuinely warm. The team made us feel so welcome throughout our stay. The food was outstanding, with every meal beautifully prepared and full of flavour. It was easily some of the best we had during our trip. The spa experience w...”

Marjorie Perotto

“Perfect location. Great service. Good food. Quite stay away from city. Costly but worth it. Try to end your trip by staying one night at Ri this property resort is beautiful. Full of greenery. The short walk to this property is also really good. Staff is very friendly & service is good. this property view cottage is very costly but it gives u views, fire pla...”

Pankaj Toshniwal

“Look...lets not beat about the bush...if u can afford it...go for it. this property around, enjoy the property. The best cottages are c4 and c5 as they are interconnected. Even the normal rooms are a treat. Food choices r limited BUT all r excellent. Get books, board games, trail shoes, and some excellent booze. Relax.”

Vipul Tewari

“We recently stayed at Ri this property in Shillong, and the property truly stands out for its breathtaking location. Perched by this property, it offers stunning panoramic views, especially from the private balconies — waking up to the serene waters and misty hills was easily the highlight of the stay. The spa facilities are excellent and provide a relaxing ...”

Vandita Batta

Around the stay

Things to do nearby.

The home is a good point from which to explore the Khasi Hills. The living root bridges are a worth seeing, particularly the famous double-decker bridge in Nongriat. Reaching it requires a descent of over 3,500 steps, so be prepared for a strenuous but rewarding trek.

Near Cherrapunji, you can explore the Mawsmai and Krem Phyllut caves. These limestone caves are well-lit for visitors, but it's wise to go with a local guide. Further afield is Dawki, on the Bangladesh border, where the Umngot river runs famously clear between January and March, clear enough to see the riverbed.

You can also visit Mawlynnong, often called Asia's cleanest village, and climb the nearby Riwai sky walk for views over the plains of Bangladesh. And no trip to the region is complete without seeing Nohkalikai Falls, India's tallest plunge waterfall at 340 metres.

Logistics

Getting there.

The standard arrival point is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) in Guwahati, Assam, which is 100km away. The drive to Shillong takes about 3 hours. A smaller airport is located at Umroi near Shillong (SHL), 30km from the city, with limited flights, mostly connecting through Kolkata.

The nearest major railhead is also in Guwahati. There is no rail connectivity within Meghalaya itself. From Guwahati or Shillong, it is best to hire a private taxi for your stay, as the home is located away from the main city.

Seasons

Best time to visit.

The best season to visit the Khasi Hills is from October to April, when the weather is dry and the skies are generally clear. The monsoon, from June to September, brings some of the heaviest rainfall in the world - over 10,000mm. During this time, some waterfalls and caves may be closed, but the landscape is incredibly lush and green.

Before you book

The fine print, written plainly.

Frequently asked

The questions travellers ask.

The neighbours

Three more Shillong homes we love.