- This hillside retreat is located in the scenic village of Andretta near Palampur
- It comprises of - the main house, white house and garden cottages snuggled amidst lush greens with sweeping views of the snow-capped Dhauladhar mountain range
- Andretta pottery classes are a must try whilst staying there
- Indulge in activties like yoga, nature / waterfall, trails,hikes, paragliding, riverside picnics, jeep safari with picnic lunch, etc.
The Mirage is a charming multi-function heritage homestay, a vision of the inhabitant of New Zealand. Set amongst dense foliage in the artist's colony of Andretta, against the serenic backdrop of jungle in bamboo groves, the retreat is a cluster of traditional Himachali mud houses with full modern amenities. This boutique homestay is a veritable museum of hand picked Indian furniture and artefacts with breathtaking views of Dhauladhar range and snow-capped peaks looming like a curtain across the Kangra Valley. The refreshing mountain air and the composed atmosphere makes it an ideal weekend getaway away from city life. The homestay comprise of the main house has - 3 bedrooms on double occupancy, 2 single bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, the white house has 4 double bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a reading room, a living room, a dining room plus kitchen equipped for morning tea, coffee, hot chocolate, perfect for large groups and the garden cottage - they are very cosy and isolated from the rest of the property ensuring lots of privacy. There are 2 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is stragetically located on the foothills of Dhauladhar and the solitude exuded by this place makes it an idyllic spot for travellers. The rooms are elegantly furnished holding on to the old world charm. The meals are prepared keeping the tastes of the guest in mind, they serve regional dishes made from locally sourced produced which is simple and delicious. The Andretta artists colony was started some 75 years ago by an Irish woman named Norah Richards, who acquired the land from the District Commissioner of Kangra in 1935. A fascinating story which links Andretta today directly to Bollywood via some of Indian cinema's greatest actors, Norah Richards was brought to Andretta at the insistence of Jaya Dayal of Lahore University, the man who built the Mirage in 1948. According to the late cine actor Shammi Kapoor, "he was in love with her, she with Shakespeare". This is a working art pottery making attractive earthenware with rangoli style slip designs. The pottery offers 3 month classes for students. Also attached to the pottery is a Terracotta Museum. While the main collection in this museum is the work of local village potters from the neighbouring parts, the museum also has a house collection of pottery from around the globe including several works from Mexico, England and Holland
The White House belonged to the late Malti Chandhiok, a very close friend of Norah Richards, and was built in 1956 of a mix of mud & bricks. Since it became part of The Mirage, it has had a major renovation, while all the time maintaining its original charm. It’s colourful eclectic decor is dedicated to reflect art rooted in the Andretta Artist Colony. The mud walls give the rooms a wonderfully cosy feel. Consists of 5 double bedrooms with bathrooms, a living room & a dining room plus kitchen equipped for morning tea & coffee. Meals are served in the Main House dining room.
Upto 15 Adults Breakfast
The Main House has a vintage feel. Dotted with black & white photos of a long gone era, it's the perfect space to appreciate the history of Andretta. An eclectic and cozy mud cottage with a collection of antiques and handcrafted furniture which can be found nowhere else. Consists of 3 double bedrooms and 3 bath rooms,along with a living room and common dining area.
Upto 9 Adults Breakfast
The Garden Cottage are traditionally built from mud bricks & bamboo from our land. They are very cosy and isolated from the rest of the property ensuring privacy. Consists of 2 double bedrooms and 2 bathrooms with a large verandah overlooking the garden orchard.
Upto 6 Adults Breakfast
