IHCL’s Fountain SeleQtions Mahabaleshwar: Where Heritage Meets Modern Design
IHCL’s Fountain SeleQtions Mahabaleshwar: Where Heritage Meets Modern Design
IHCL’s Fountain SeleQtions in Mahabaleshwar stands as a rare example of hospitality where architecture, memory, and nature converge seamlessly. Perched in the mist-kissed hills and carrying a history of more than 75 years, the resort continues to preserve its quiet, enduring charm while embracing modern luxury with thoughtful restraint.
A Legacy Rooted in Mahabaleshwar’s Hills
Once the summer home of a British General, the property later evolved into a resort a beloved retreat for generations. Today, Fountain SeleQtions is a poetic continuation of that legacy, a place where time slows down and memories find a familiar echo.
Interestingly, the revival project began without a formal brief. The design team, familiar with the property through earlier collaborations, allowed the space itself to guide the vision one that preserved its emotional and cultural essence while aligning it with IHCL’s SeleQtions philosophy.
Designing Around Memory and Place
The name Fountain beautifully reflects the resort’s origin story. Local lore speaks of water springs that appeared during its initial construction, inspiring a metaphor of rootedness and movement. This narrative subtly unfolds the moment guests arrive: sculptural water features at the entrance evoke Mahabaleshwar’s natural springs and the resort’s foundational tale.
Colonial influences remain visible throughout the property but are reimagined with modern sensitivity.
- Original structures and furniture have been retained or restored.
- Contemporary design elements have been layered thoughtfully.
- A muted sage-green palette pays tribute to surrounding forests.
- Art inspired by the region’s tiger eye butterfly adds a local soul to the space.
- Adaptive Reuse at an Eco-Sensitive Destination
Located in an environmentally protected zone, the resort required adaptive reuse rather than expansion. This thoughtful approach preserved its character while meeting ecological mandates.
Key conservation-driven decisions include:
- Maintaining existing laterite and lime-mortar structures
- Transforming the earlier cramped lobby into an open, pavilion-style arrival space
- Restricting vehicular movement to maintain serenity
- Creating pedestrian pathways that flow naturally through lush landscapes
Dining areas reflect the same design ethos. Instead of demolishing, the architects restored the original spaces including the old hall that today retains its 1950s London steel girders, now framing a warm and elegant buffet area.
Rooms That Carry Stories
Each room at Fountain SeleQtions has its own design narrative. Antique furniture, historic beds, and preserved architectural details bring the past to life. Some rooms exude colonial nostalgia while others lean towards modern simplicity yet all share a visual connection to nature through verandahs and expansive windows.
The Presidential Suite stands out with its private plunge pool and sweeping valley views, offering discreet luxury in the heart of the hills.
- Balancing Heritage with Contemporary Needs
- While rooted in history, the resort is equipped to meet modern expectations thanks to:
- One of Mahabaleshwar’s largest banquet venues
- Expansive lawns ideal for events
- A serene spa and wellness facilities
- Recreational spaces designed for leisurely stays
Despite these additions, the essence remains unchanged an atmosphere of calm, familiarity, and emotional resonance.
A Triumph of Craft and Patience
Mahabaleshwar’s challenging climate and terrain demanded resilience. Limited construction months, challenging transportation routes, and strict conservation norms required precision and perseverance from the design and development teams.
The result is a space where heritage and elegance thrive together an inspiring example of adaptive reuse done right.
A Timeless Continuum
More than a resort, Fountain SeleQtions is a living story. Each corridor, courtyard, and room captures fragments of the past while embracing renewal. It is a sanctuary where guests are invited to reconnect with nature, with memory, and with themselves.
IHCL’s Fountain SeleQtions stands as a testament to the belief that true luxury lies not in excess but in authenticity, warmth, and a sense of timeless belonging.
