Vanhills, nestled deep into the untouched wilderness of Jim Corbett, is an example of the incredible journey of one man, who has left behind his corporate life achievements and gone to build a place where nature, spirituality and true hospitality meet. This one-of-a-kind retreat has already received the most coveted award of Best Host Experience Homestay in the span of six months of operation and this is an indication of the foresight and enthusiasm of the founder Vijay Malik.
Vanhills starts by narrating how Vanhills, as a child, loved forests, nature and this love was fostered by the fact that he grew up as a son of a BSF commandant, Vijay Kumar Malik, where there was a fostering of values of punctuality, hospitality, and honesty.
Although his father wanted him to be part of the BSF, the entrepreneurial nature of the young man made him take a different route and become a waiter in Delhi and later establish a successful packers and movers company that catered to the embassies and multinational companies between 1992 and 2005.
Nevertheless, the achievements in the business world would not stop the voice of the mountains. Following a tragic personal loss in 2005; the loss of his parents and his brother in a span of six months, Malik sought solace in spirituality and he risked his business by shutting it down.
This turning point brought him to Uttarakhand where he spent more than a decade to the development of properties in Sattal and Nainital and management of a resort in Jim Corbett before finally fulfilling his final passion, Vanhills.
The real achievement of Vanhills is the real entrenching with the local culture and tradition. The homestay presents the rich culture of Kotabagh by displaying the traditional cooking style with the use of centuries old clay cookers and cooking in earthen pots giving it its own unique taste reminiscent to those of grandmothers recipes. The house is a magnificent display of wooden utensils carved out of Sangar wood and Jamun wood with every item narrating the tale of the people of Pithoragarh who made these treasures using water-powered wheels in the natural waterfalls.
Vanhills culinary experience honours local ingredients and organic farming. Gustation is served with dishes made using turmeric, ginger, amla, mango, lichi, and tomatoes grown on the property and all of the spices are milled in custom stone grinders. The menu will be adjusted to personal tastes, such as guests who like a lack of spice, do not want to eat some ingredients, or have to adhere to particular diets, so that everyone will feel at home.
The philosophy behind the design of the property is to develop spaces that can bring the natural form of meditation and relieving the stress. Professional architects or interior designers did not exist, as all elements were developed by Malik family, including the fountain that was constructed manually and artistic boundary walls.
The rooms can accommodate privacy and stay in touch with nature at the same time, which provides the visitors with the therapeutic experience of the sound of water features and birds chirping in the nearby jungle.
Vanhills are based on the rule that spirituality is more than a religious aspect and the main emphasis of the organization is on self-discovery and inner peace. Malik is a Vipassana practitioner who has opened a meditation hall within which visitors can be taught the methods of mindfulness and stress management without any extra fee.
The vision is not limited to hospitality services but to wellness retreats and spiritual programs which can cover the current mental peace and clarity need.
The organic farming and its environmentally friendly nature reflect the commitment of the property to the conservation of the environment. Having more than 100 trees planted and current sustainable tourism activities, Vanhills can show how hospitality companies can contribute to the preservation of nature and at the same time offer real experiences.
Nowadays, with the help of his advocate son, who offers new outlooks to complete the wisdom of our traditions, and his wife, who takes care of the day-to-day business, Malik friends still have the guests not so much as customers but as part of the family.
Having covered more than 70 percentage of the India renowned tourist destinations and four nations, his experience and passion to present the beauty of Uttarakhand to visitors in search of tranquility, originality and closeness to nature are immense.
Vanhills is not just a case of accommodation, it actually is a living testament of how pursuing passion even with the risks that come with sacrificing may develop something that really matters and brings both the host and the guest closer to a better life.
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