Vana at The Plenti House : Nature Retreat Nilgiris

Vana at Hushstay x PLENTI House is one of two 2-bedroom units in this four-bedroom retreat, tucked in Gudalur (Nilgiri Hills), near Bandipur and Mudumalai sanctuaries. Built by a British couple as part of the PLENTI Project, it blends earth and reclaimed timber. The retreat opens up to a tea estate and is surrounded by lush greenery, offering a chance to slow down, reconnect with nature, and live mindfully. Come with curiosity. Leave with more than memories. The space Nestled in the rolling tea country of Gudalur, Hushstay x PLENTI House is a four-bedroom retreat with two units: Vana and Akasha, that beautifully blend architecture with nature. Designed by Ajith Andagere of Andagere Architects, the home is built with local materials and climate-responsive design, rooted in the landscape and culture. With four en-suite rooms, expansive common areas, and a peaceful, minimalist aesthetic, it offers a place to unwind, reflect, and reconnect. Set along the slopes of a hill, the house flows with the land—built around trees, using earth from the site for bricks. It is framed by gardens, flowering trees, and long valley views. Inside, the colour palette mirrors the misty hills outside, with soft greys, blues, and browns. Salvaged wood, old doors, hand-cut stone, and handcrafted furnishings give the space warmth and soul. The heart of the home is its expansive dining table, inviting shared meals and connection. Open verandahs and private nooks provide spaces to read, reflect, and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Indoors and outdoors blend seamlessly with wide openings for light, air, and birdsong. Outside, meandering stone paths and panoramic sit-outs offer stunning views of tea plantations and forests. The Rooms: Each of the four thoughtfully styled en-suite rooms opens to a private verandah with views of the valley. Designed in soft greys and blues, the rooms feature locally crafted furnishings and handwoven textiles. Generously sized and flooded with natural light, the rooms provide modern comforts while staying true to the home’s earthy charm. Here, you’ll rest, reset, and feel at ease in the serene embrace of the Nilgiris. Guest access Treat it like your home. Guests can access all parts of the house expect the kitchen which is only for the use of the staff. Other things to note Meals: - The cuisine served here is traditionally home-cooked South Indian. Breakfast is included in the tariff. - Meals mostly comprise a wide array of evergreen, South Indian dishes that are familiar to the palate and also a limited selection of North Indian fare. - Our meals are served as per a fixed menu and at designated times in the common dining area. - Please follow the meal timings: Breakfast: 8 - 9 AM Lunch: 1 - 1.30 PM Dinner: 7.30 - 8:30 PM - We do not maintain any stocks of packaged food items like bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, maggi etc. House Rules: Check-in time: 02:00 PM Check-out time: 11:00 AM Slow and soft music is okay, but please do not play loud music. You are in the middle of nature. Services of the staff are available until 8:00 PM The owners have worked on their dream home for years to give it its present shape. While they have done their very best to equip the house with the best fittings and furnishings, we request you to be considerate and treat it like your home and not as a hotel. Given its remote location and close proximity to nature, there may be inconveniences that you may face but rest assured we will do our best to offer you a memorable experience. We follow a strict no-smoking policy inside the house. You may ask the caretaker for an ashtray and smoke outside in the garden or the balcony if you need to. Sustainable Travel: We do not provide mineral water bottles or aerated drinks and encourage our guests to avoid or take back their plastic garbage. Clean drinking water in bottles is provided. We are pet-friendly. If you are coming with your pet, make sure they are well-mannered and that nothing gets broken. Accommodation: There are a total of 6 rooms at PLENTI. Two of these are meant for the personal use and guests of the owners. The remaining 04 bedrooms are available for booking on Hushstays. These 04 bedrooms are split across two floors and can be booked individually or together. Rooms are given on double occupancy, and one extra mattress can be placed in each room. We host volunteers and personal guests working towards the PLENTI Project, so please expect to see other smiling faces while you are here. Please carry your own toothpaste, toothbrush, shaving kit, alcohol, toilet paper, and any special medicines or food requirements you may have. Fresh bed linen, towels, shower gel, shampoo, handwash and filtered water will be provided. Electricity: We have a genset for power backup which provides basic light and internet backup for about 4-5 hours in case of a power cut. In case of longer power cuts, please bear with the power disruption until mains power comes back. Please note that like any other home in the hills, we do not have an air conditioner at the property. PLENTI House has been designed in such a way that there is proper wind circulation if the windows are opened in the afternoon. Besides, we also have ceiling fans if you feel the need for the same. Getting There: Hushstay x The PLENTI House is located in a small and remote hamlet called Gudalur in the Nilgiris. We are at an altitude of ~3500 feet. Nearest Railway Station (Mysuru) - 109 kms / 2.5 hr Nearest Airport (Calicut) - 94 kms / 02 hrs Bengaluru - 255 kms / 5 hrs Wayanad - 70 kms / 2 hrs Ooty - 50 kms / 2 hrs Coimbatore - 130 kms / 4 hrs As with all great places, getting to this paradise-of-a-location requires a 200m drive on a slightly narrow village road. The parking space is available at the property. Wifi and Connectivity: There is a dedicated broadband WiFi . But due to the remote location and/or if there is bad weather, it sometimes can become slow or even stop working. There is a good 4G connectivity for Airtel & Jio users, unless the weather is bad.