The Allure Of A Luxury Boutique Hotels

The allure of a luxury boutique hotel lies as much in its story as it does in the bespoke experiences that it has on offer.

- Angad Singh Thakur

Sanjay Narang's past life as Mumbai’s best known hospitality mogul was a good one by most standards. He ran successful businesses (Mars Restaurants and Skygourmet, which he built with his sister Rachna), had rich and powerful friends, and dated a beauty queen.

Today, he lives in his “dream home”, perched on a hillside, close to the cantonment town of Landour, near Mussoorie. A short walk from his house is Rokeby Manor, an old guest house that Narang, 52, converted into a luxury hotel a few years ago. The breakfast spread is simple and homely, and the 12 rooms at Rokeby are well appointed. There is a three bedroom cottage on the property as well. The obvious attempts to keep the wood and stone structure true to its original form ensure that it continues to look and feel like a 19th century manor. The service may not be what you’d expect at a five-star hotel, but it is warm and friendly. One look at the cedar-covered hills outside and it’s clear that the place is special.

Back in 2005, despite his seemingly perfect life in Mumbai, Narang wanted to leave the city. He had recently returned from a visit to his old school, Woodstock, near Landour. “I was missing it, so I went back again as soon as I got the opportunity,” says Narang. “I thought after a few trips, the nostalgia would wear off, but each time I came back, I loved it more and more. So I guess if you find a place where you want to be, you find a way to be there,” he says.