I stayed at a resort in Koynanagar with a view that was arguably even better than Switzerland. This resort named Wind Chalet is located on a hill that overlooks the Koyna dam and provides hypnotic views from its balcony 24 x 7.
Koynanagar is a paradise near Satara that has been blessed with several gifts of nature. The Koyna dam, river and wildlife sanctuary together make it a heaven for nature enthusiasts. Koynanagar is a place where the Deccan plateau meets the Konkan region. This hill station is less exploited by tourist crowds and it is pollution-free.
This is my day 4 out of my 21 days Maharashtra tour.
Quick Details about Wind Chalet Resort
- Best time to visit: Winter, early monsoon and post-monsoon.
- Food: The cook at Wind Chalet prepares delicious food as per your request.
- Accomodation: Comfortable AC rooms with hypnotic balcony views.
- Website for bookings at Wind Chalet Resort.
- ATMs: There is only 1 ATM near the bus stop and it was closed the day I went. Other shops give cash withdrawal service only for the Bank of India. It will be wise to carry your cash.
- Petrol pump: The nearest petrol pump is in Patan, so have your tanks full before you come here.
- Activities nearby: Fishing, Birdwatching, Jungle Safaris, Treks and hikes, Star-gazing with Explore Koyna.
How to reach Wind Chalet Resort
The best way to reach this place is by your own vehicle – car or bike. But if you want to come by public transport, take a bus to Koynanagar and then an autorickshaw from the bus stop to the resort.
- Pune to Wind Chalet Resort: 197 km or 4 hr 20 min.
- Satara to Wind Chalet Resort: 85 km or 2 hr.
- Mumbai to Wind Chalet Resort: 340 km or 6 hr 40 min.
- Karad to Wind Chalet Resort: 60 km or 1 hr 40 min.
- Kolhapur to Wind Chalet Resort: 139 km or 3 hr.
The road to heaven
The road to this hotel is a steep uphill climb. And as this road winds higher up on the hill, trees break and you get a clear view of the Koyna Dam. This was the first glimpse I had of the dam and its hypnotic surroundings.
The view from Wind Chalet’s balcony
After I reached my resort I was shown my room. I dropped my bags and first went to the balcony. When I looked out of the glass windows at the Koyna Dam, the surrounding mountains and the forest below me I gasped and almost cried. I saw the sparkling blue waters in the dam in awe. And I was shown where the Koynanagar bus stop must be down below. This is the view that you can never forget.
The waters and rivers which accumulate in the Tapola region near Mahabaleshwar end up at this dam. And all around the dam’s backwaters is a dense forest of Koyna wildlife sanctuary. I cannot see the river but I can imagine it flowing from the dam into the valley below. And what a sight this must be in the monsoon!
The food at Wind Chalet
It was almost lunchtime when I arrived. The local cooks here make the most delicious Maharashtrian food. And they can also provide you with anything you want as per your request. The food was great even though this resort is located on a hill and they had to carry on all of it up here.
The magical sunrises at Wind Chalet
Every sunrise and sunset is magical. But the sunrise at Wind Chalet Resort is something else altogether. I was greeted with that hypnotic scenery each morning. The dam waters reflect the several shades of the sky. The sun rises from behind the mountains right in front of the Wind chalet. The fog rises from the river in that valley and hangs around the mountains like pretty white lace. It was just as if nature here is showing off its wealth to me. I didn’t wish to leave that balcony even for a second, but several adventures were waiting for me in Koynanagar.
Green spaces and birdwatching
Around the resort are a pretty garden and some green spaces. In the morning I spotted several different species of birds here. The resort workers told me to look out for peacocks that come close to the balcony windows, but I got to see none here. I spotted red-whiskered bulbul, black Drongo or Kotwal and some sunbirds among several others that I couldn’t identify.
Bonfire and Star gazing
There is a bonfire in this garden which they will light up for you on your request. Don’t forget to look up at the sky which will surely be peppered with infinite stars. You may even spot the white band of the milky way.
There are several resorts in Koynanagar but the view from this particular balcony in Wind Chalet is unparalleled. The same group of hotels – Agreen hotels manages four to five different resorts here, but none of them has a view like Wind Chalet Resort.
FAQs about Wind Chalet Resort
The best way to reach this place is by your own vehicle – car or bike. But if you want to come by public transport, take a bus to Koynanagar and then an autorickshaw from the bus stop to the resort.
Places to visit nearby
- Adventures with Explore Koyna
- Dategad Fort
- Koyna dam and Shivsagar Lake
- Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
- Chandoli Wildlife Sanctuary
- Nehru garden, Koynanagar
- Ozarde Waterfall
- Vasota fort
- Ghatmatha
- Jungli Jaigad Fort
