Just a 30-minute drive from Manohar International Airport, Capella Forest Retreat is wrapped in dense greenery on three sides. The home is a sanctuary, not just for guests but for nature itself. Hornbills flit through the treetops, peacocks sometimes strut through the garden, and the haunting call of the Malabar whistling thrush echoes through the canopy. “We often have surprise visitors,” Ayesha says. “Frogs after the rain, civet cats at night, a curious monkey or two, and once in a while, even a snake, which our herpetologist neighbour helps us gently relocate.”
Built on multiple levels to adapt to the hilly terrain, the home’s architecture is rooted in tropical sensibilities. Designed in collaboration with noted Goan architect Arvind D’Souza, it is open and airy, with inviting sit-outs, wide verandas, a breezy central courtyard, and a stunning infinity-edge pool that overlooks the forest. However, the tiered layout means that Capella may not be ideal for guests with mobility issues.
Cyrus Dalal
Cyrus Dalal
Inside, Ayesha has lovingly curated the interiors over the years with antique furniture, vintage mirrors, lamps, and a treasure trove of books that line the living room. Louvred doors and windows, salvaged from a demolished building in Mumbai, have been restored by local craftsman Luis Velho and used all over the house, adding a layer of memory and character. Nostalgic posters and framed art add an eclectic air to the home. Every room carries a piece of Ayesha’s past: furniture from her family homes in Mahabaleshwar and Pune, books and art she’s collected over decades, and accents that feel warm and lived-in.
Cyrus Dalal
Capella has four guestrooms, named for Ayesha’s favourite flowering trees — Jacaranda and Frangipani on the lower level are smaller rooms perfect for couples and solo travellers, both opening into the heart of the home; and Heliconia and Magnolia upstairs are more spacious and can accommodate a family of four with balconies and thoughtfully designed bathrooms.
Capella isn’t listed on any online travel platforms by design. “We intentionally choose not to be on any OTAs as we wish to preserve our privacy and exclusivity,” Ayesha says. Most of their guests are either repeat visitors, some of them visiting Capella every year, or come through personal recommendations.
The hosts
The host, Ayeesha MadonCapella Forest Retreat and Homestay
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