This is one of the two rooms available at Poonch House. Willow used to be the erstwhile Rani’s room. This room has a traditional working fireplace that is wood-panelled and flanked by a beautiful motif tile. The teak bed in this room is over 80 years old. The room has an attached dressing room with a sunny south facing window. If you’re travelling with children, the room can accommodate 2 adults and 1 extra person. We have an extra mattresses available for an additional guest (extra charges) The space If you’ve been looking for a place to go away to, or rather a place to get away from the rigours of everyday modern living, let us tell you about our home that sits on a quiet knoll that’s tucked away in the Himalaya. It sits in a mountain-hewn land bowl, against a backdrop of steep hills that border one end of the property, amidst pine and cedar forests that protect it from the din of the outside world. Our home is 80 years old and a tribute to a King’s love for his Queen. Built in 1936, the house was the summer home that the Queen lived in and recuperated from a deadly illness. Story has it that the Queen was dying, and after scouring the land, the King found the magic elixir that saved his Queen’s life. The King was Raja Padam Dev Singh of Poonch the then Dewan of Kashmir. And hence our home is known as Poonch House. The source to that elixir, a natural water spring, is still alive in our estate, and provides sustenance to our home. Approximately 100 kilometres from Jammu city, on the old Jammu-Srinagar road, is a sleepy hamlet, Kud. The town is not quite unknown to regulars on the old route, as all buses would stop for passengers to buy the famous “Prem ka Patisa”. Kud has a population of a few thousand people, with farming being the chief means of livelihood. Our home is 3 kilometres from the market square, secluded on a hill removed from any cluster of buildings. We have maintained the old structure of our home. It was built using stone carted all the way from Lahore, and local deodar wood. It is a fine specimen of old architecture and the art of thoughtful construction. The property has a distinct old-world charm and has stayed with our family for 3 generations. We have many lawns around the house, and marked trails in and around the property for you to enjoy your time in nature. You can enjoy a wide variety of flora and fauna in our specially vibrant ecosphere. We take joy in our own produce by growing our own vegetables and fruit. And you’re welcome to potter around in our gardens. We enjoy distinct seasons here – with luscious spring (with fresh foliage and vibrant blooms), a warm summer (sun through the day and evening walks amongst the flower heads), misty monsoon (with fogs that envelop, endless chai, and gupshup in bed), crisp autumn (with yellowing leaves and gathering of pine cones), and a very cold winter (with upto 5 inches of snow at our property). This has been our home. And we are now throwing it open to visitors such as you. We are a heritage bungalow, and now a new organic farm retreat, and we welcome you to enjoy the quiet, beauty, solace, and a responsible way of life with us. Our home is ideal for anyone who is looking for some quiet, and catch-up time with family, partners, friends, or oneself - the kind where you’re not in a rush, can sit back and enjoy the moment, read a book in any nook, enjoy laid back siestas in the hammock, watch the magnificent sunsets from our sundeck, scramble up some rocks, enjoy a sit-out around the fire… We are self-sufficient with the water from the natural spring. We use grey water to irrigate our poplar and willow trees. The property has 2 little ponds that are home to some families of fish. The birds use the pond for their daily wash and song. We own 3 dogs and they are family. They live on the property and run freely, with a few areas being off-limit for them too, including your bedroom. Guest access We have two bedrooms we offer to our guests. Both are available independently and as a set. Both rooms are a part of the main building structure. The rooms are set up with all the amenities that will keep you comfortable as at home. Both rooms open out to the patio, where you can enjoy your meals or a sit-out. The patio is a glass-walled lounge area, perfect for the mornings and evenings. A heater keeps the patio warm in cold weather. You will have access to our front lawn and five playing fields if you fancy a game of golf, some cricket, or want to shoot some arrows. We also have a separate indoor games room, if you prefer board games or want to stay out of the rain, sun, or snow. In the evenings, you can huddle around a bonfire around the fire-pit in the lawn, enjoy warm beverages and platters of lip-smacking snacks. The kitchen remains open from 7:30AM to 9PM with an ever-changing sumptuous daily menu. However we cannot entertain any orders after 9PM as our cook needs to come in early to prepare breakfast and other meals. Other things to note House Rules: You will be sharing our Home and we are delighted to host you. While we expect our guests to be mindful and respectful of the integrity of the estate, our staff, and furnishings, we would like to respectfully lay down a few house rules to ensure your visit is enjoyed by the both of us: 1. Smoking - Smoking is not permitted within the house, but smokers can step out into the garden at any time. 2. Littering - Littering in the premises, on the grounds, and in the forest is a big no. We have placed bins at locations, please use those. 3. Quiet Hours - Music must be played softly and keeping in mind the personal space of other guests. Guests need be quiet between 10PM and 9AM. 4. Kitchen Timings - Our kitchen timings are from 7:30AM to 9PM. Since we use the freshest ingredients for your meals, please let us know in advance if you have any special meal requirements. 5. Narcotics - Consumption of narcotics not allowed within our premises. 6. Breakage / Damage - Any breakage, damage, or defacement of property will exhort a strict fee. 7. Pets - Pets are only allowed on request. We are happy to provide your pets with a safe kennel. However, since not all our guests may be pet-friendly, pets are not allowed inside the living area i.e rooms and patio under any circumstances. 8. Drivers - While we do have space for drivers’ stay, it is limited. Therefore we request our guests to please inform us in advance if their driver needs a place to stay. We put up drivers in two lodges that are 500 metres from our property. Food and stay for the driver will be chargeable. 9. Check in and Check out - Check in is available from 2 PM to 9 PM, Check out time is 12 PM. Please adhere to these timings to avoid inconvenience to other guests.You will be penalised 50% of the room tariff till 2PM and 100% of the room tariff for checkout after 2PM. 10. Outside Food - We do not allow outside food inside the property.