I needed a break. That’s all there was to it. Delhi had absolutely drained me the ridiculous traffic, constant noise, always feeling like I’m running late for something. So, when I found Sterling Valley of Pines in Lansdowne online, I didn’t think twice. Just booked myself in for four nights from January 22nd  to 26th and figured I’d wing it. 

Getting There 

The drive up started working its magic quickly. Higher into Uttarakhand I went, cooler the air got, thicker the pine trees became. Reached the resort that afternoon already feeling half-human again. 

Staff there welcomed me like we’d known each other for years. None of that stiff hotel reception nonsense, just real warmth. That’s how I knew the next few days would be good. 

My Room Was Everything 

I’d gone a bit overboard booking the Valley View Premier Room with the terrace, but man, worth every rupee. That terrace? My happy place for four days straight. Mornings meant tea out there, watching the valley slowly come alive. Views went on forever pines, hills, endless sky. 

The room was great too. Comfortable bed, decent linens, all the basics sorted. But honestly, that terrace stole the show. Spent ages out there with my book, or just zoning out, which I apparently desperately needed. 

Food Worth Mentioning 

Lans Café quickly became where I wanted to be. You’re eating while staring at the valley, which automatically makes everything taste better. But the food was tasty not just passable resort stuff. Their Indian dishes at dinner hit the spot, and breakfast had enough options to keep me interested all four mornings. 

Got into this routine of evening chai there while the sun went down. Sounds ridiculously simple, but it was perfect. 

What I Actually Did 

Not a whole lot, if I’m being honest. That was kind of the point. Took some easy walks through the pine forests nothing crazy, just ambling around breathing properly for once. Birds were everywhere making their racket. Turned out to be relaxing. 

Joined the bonfire one night. Chatted with a Bangalore couple and this Pune family. Just regular conversation, some snacks, stars overhead. The kind of uncomplicated evening that feels almost impossible back home. 

The People Made the Difference 

What really surprised me was the staff. They weren’t robotically polite they genuinely gave a damn. Asked for an extra blanket when it got cold one night, got it within minutes and a proper smile. Wanted late breakfast once, zero attitude about it. 

Small stuff, sure. But small stuff matters when you’re trying to relax. 

Going Home 

Leaving on the 26th felt weirdly difficult. Only four days, but something had changed. Felt steadier, less frazzled, more like the person I usually am underneath all the city stress. 

Spent most of my time literally just being still terrace sitting, café lingering, slow forest walks. Turns out that’s precisely what I was missing. Best trips aren’t always about cramming everything in. Sometimes they’re about finally stopping. 

Sterling Valley of Pines gave me exactly that. No agenda, no rushing, just mountains and silence and decent food and genuinely nice people. Already planning my next visit monsoon maybe when everything’s green, or proper winter with possible snow. 

If you’re feeling stretched thin like I was, needing an actual reset this works. Just go. Plant yourself on that terrace. Drink the chai. Wander through the pines. Keep it simple. 

 

Aditi Bhargav, a lawyer and solo traveller from Delhi