Dune Barr House - Verandah in the Forest

A 200 year old property now restored. Dune Group does the branding & sales. Hope the owner put proper intent in maintaining the property. The building structure, furniture, doors are crumbling. There is no AC, no WiFi, no Telephone network, no TV (Total Digital Detox). This part is the negetive if you may say. If they look into this upkeep then the cost of 9K to 10K per night is justifiable. Noe the positive if you can see - it's secluded in the forest without anything around for about half a kilometer surrounded by trees and tweeting birds. The property is very ably managed by a hands on couple - Rateesh & Rekha who stay in the complex. Rateesh seems a all-rounder and experienced. He has well trained a local couple to manage the kitchen and dish out Indian & Continental veg & non veg dishes. They serve a sumptuous breakfast that changes every day. The 3 boys/ helpers too are responsive and egar to help. The property has a old world British feel with a big reading cum living area and a giant elongated dining table that can accommodate 20 odd people and they give a nice candle light dining experience. The highlight of the hotel is the big wide verandah to the 6 rooms on first floor that have 'relax chairs' outside each room and also a well appointed central tea & breakfast open area in the verandha. Hence the name 'Verandah in the Forest'

It was really a good experience. People were really helpful. Food was yummy. Stay was good. Only thing is to reach the place, it is little hectic as you have to take auto, then tanga or by walk from Matheran railway station.

This is my fourth time at Verandah. The best in beautiful Matheran, and no one comes even a second close. The staff is amazing and property managers Ratheesh and Rekha have made place so comfortable that you feel like you are visiting your own home in Matheran. They and their team of Vishnu, Shyam and others made our stay most memorable. The estate is beautiful, retains its old world charm and it’s located right next to beautiful lake and other beautiful scenery. Matheran is the crown jewel and it takes you back by few centuries thanks to its no roads and no vehicle policy. Only horses or pleasant walk.

We loved this magical place.  Arriving on foot in the dark, with a couple of porters carrying our bags from Dasturi point, it was like stepping into a novel from the 1920's.  Lovely staff to meet us and give us a welcome meal and drink, and Mr Ratheesh the manager who we contacted before we arrived was incredibly helpful.   The silence and peace of the stately building is beyond words.  It's not a museum because the people living there are vibrant and make you feel comfortable, but the furniture and fittings in that incredible setting are rare and special.  The impossibly high ceilings, the numerous unexpected little doors, the excess of space and light.  Not everyone might recognise why this place is so rewarding to stay in  - it's not a formulaic international hotel, but its a living record of India's complex history.  Don't miss it if you have the chance.

A perfect place to just relax within the heart of lush greenery, silence and peace echoing with chirps and wind. Keeps you off the city life and gives an opportunity to focus entirely on the nature. Even a day's trip heals your soul. Experience the British time infrastructure when there was no internet, TV... Yet so much to do near the lake and jungle on a verandah in the forest.

This is a beautiful heritage property in the middle of the forest close to Charlotte lake. The room was large, spacious and comfortable with high ceilings and basic amenities. The bedding was clean and comfortable. Staff was friendly and helpful. Food was delicious and served very nicely. . . A candle lit dinner in the dining room, breakfast and lunch on the Verandah. Overall a lovely stay and would definitely go back.