You know Chandigarh for its chairs—those frequently photographed pieces by Pierre Jeanneret, whose cousin Le Corbusier conceived the planned city as an expression of India’s faith in the future. Dotted with tree-lined gardens and daring modernist buildings, the urban landscape maintains its mystique. “In two days it took hold of me,” says Parisian furniture dealer Eric Touchaleaume, among the first to bring back Jeanneret’s coveted furniture. “I’ve returned over 30 times, and with every stay the feeling has grown deeper.” If Chandigarh is blessed with architectural intrigue, it hasn’t always had much in the way of luxury hotels—until now.
Set amid the Siswan Forest Range, just outside the city center, the new Oberoi Sukhvilas resort offers 60 colonial-style villas, rooms, and tents—many with private pools—along with a spa, fine dining, and outdoor attractions. (Think pine-scented hikes through 8,000 acres of woodlands, strolls in the famed rock and rose gardens, and sunset boat rides along the silver Sukhna Lake.) For travelers looking to rest their eyes between chaotic Indian cities, Chandigarh now offers an especially refreshing break.
