Thadiya Vacations from $1,899

We were visiting Salasar Balaji, and for my wife’s birthday I decided to take a small detour on the way back to Chandigarh and booked Salasar Fort. Honestly, it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s about a 3-hour drive from Salasar, but the moment we arrived, the journey didn’t matter at all. The entrance is stunning, and the welcome felt genuinely warm — not the usual rehearsed hotel greeting. The vintage cars near the reception were a great touch, and walking through the courtyard to reach our room felt like stepping into another era. Pure heritage, pure magic. The rooms were beautiful and spotless — a perfect blend of old-world charm and modern comfort. The food, both at lunch and dinner, was excellent, with rich traditional flavours done just right. A special mention to their sand dunes activities and the High Tea experience — easily one of the highlights and something truly unique to the property. And breakfast? The variety and quality were outstanding. Spending those 22 hours there celebrating my wife’s birthday felt nothing short of royal. Every detail — the architecture, the hospitality, the food — made the stay memorable. If you’re looking for a heritage getaway near Chandigarh, Khimsar Fort is absolutely worth it. I’ll definitely be going back.