If you’re a puritan comfort-seeker, like me, cutting corners would never be part of your itinerary. This is why, when the family decided to spoil themselves at Jimmy Mistry’s gorgeous sanctuary in Lonavala, we also decided to take the trip in the most luxurious sedan we could lay our hands-on. Mistry’s Della Resort is located between Mumbai and Pune and what better way to set off on a road trip than in the 2021 Mercedes S Class? The Expressway is a haven for motorists willing to spread their wings and watch their car fully express themselves.
We set off early, as one simply has to, to beat the city traffic. The S Class was an instant hit, the moment my family settled into its spacious cabin. I set the mood for a drive-by playing some cool instrumental music over the 41-speaker 4D Burmester sound system and picking a nice, calming blue ambient light. The large 12.8-inch touchscreen display on the dash is convenient to access nearly every function, and it is laid out in portrait mode. The S Class is known for its rear-seat comfort, which was ideal for my discerning and curious parents, who expressed how comfortable they felt. Each of the rear seats had access to a touchscreen tablet that activated individual comfort features. Thanks to this, each seat is equipped with Thermotronic automatic climate control, wireless mobile charging, a USB package, and multi-contour seat adjustments. After a point in time, the easy-to-use rear interface console was entirely managed by the seniors, which speaks volumes of its intuitiveness and easy-to-use interface.
One of the most vocally appreciated features of the car was the massaging seats that are powered by 19 motors. The AIR BALANCE package installed in our car set the perfect mood with aromatic fragrances, giving us a sense of being in the hills even though we drove through some dusty and polluted outskirts of the city. The S Class is great to drive and has been built around creating a delightful experience for passengers. The 4-hour drive didn’t seem to tire any of us, thanks to the suspension and a quiet cabin. The 6-cylinder, S 400d 4MATIC diesel engine was powerful. You can also bank on the bevy of safety and convenience features, including Driving Assistance, airbags on all sides, 360-degree parking, and more. The MBUX operating concept holistically deals with every whim and fancy of the car’s occupants.
While the insides were plush and cozy, one does need to attribute the exterior beauty of the Mercedes S Class. The brand defines the styling as ‘sensual purity’ and this is demonstrated by the delicate ridges and arches that define the contours of the new model, while bearing unmistakable resemblance to its predecessors. The chrome-edging on the radiator trim and three chrome horizontal cross struts give the car a commanding appearance. The panoramic sunroof slides over, giving you stunning views, which in our case was enjoyed by all of us as we drove between the winding, hilly road. The KEYLESS-GO technology detects your presence around the car and automatically extends the flush door handles. It’s almost like magic, the first time you experience it.
Unlike most long drives, we reached our destination feeling fresh and energetic. In fact, as we entered the massive gates of Della Resorts, we were even more energized than when we set off, earlier that morning. It was easy finding the place because of the many signages and direction boards, as well as Google Maps markings. Della is spread across a large, hilly terrain, with resorts and villas on one side of it and a thrilling adventure park on the other. The Sahyadri hills surround the property with its lush greenery and bird calls we had never heard before welcomed us.
We were ushered to one of the 64 new Garden Villa rooms, after enjoying a refreshing welcome drink. Our room offers a splendid view of the most picturesque portions within the 50-acre property. The bedrooms and the bathrooms are well-appointed with the finest upholstery and great products. Della has always exuded a feeling of opulent luxuries, whether it is within their corporate offices or their properties. This same genre was reflected in the way the rooms and the entire property were styled. You feel like a guest in the palace of a king.
The resort’s dining options are plentiful and varied, but the pandemic caused most of the joints to remain closed. However, we did get access to Villa Bistro, Parsi Dhaba, and Café 24. From these, Villa Bistro was the favorite for my wife and me, since it is rather new and serves as a lounging bar. They have a great collection of whiskies and cigars to try. My parents loved the fare at Parsi Dhaba, which, as the name suggests, offers some of the best Parsi delicacies I have ever tasted.
Everything is carefully taken care of, with special attention paid to the service, hygiene (especially in Covid times), and guest satisfaction. We loved the cordial staff who gave us ample space to catch up with each other in a setting other than home, after so long.
A trip to any resort is incomplete without a dip in the pool. Unfortunately, the pool was closed as per government norms. So, we set out to experience the rush of adrenaline in the adventure park. Several gravity-defying (yet safe) rides, obstacle courses, and dares later, we felt truly rejuvenated. The seniors spent their time at the horse stables, where the caretakers offer their insights on the horses and give you a chance to walk them around. The dog pen has some rather fancy breeds of dogs, all rescued and well taken care of.
When we finally decided to set off from Della, the pain of an ending vacation didn’t hurt us as much as we thought it would, because the 4-hour drive back was yet to give us more reasons to relax.
Della Resorts –
Della Enclave Rd, Kune Village, Khandala, Lonavla, Maharashtra 410401
