Luxury Hotels Atlas / Places / India / Binsar / The Kumaon
The Kumaon
Binsar, Uttarakhand, India · Independent · Core Luxury
The Kumaon opened in 2018 as ten glass-and-stone suites on a 2.5-acre hillside at about 1,600 metres near Kasar Devi, Almora, looking toward Nanda Devi and Trishul. Sri Lankan architects Pradeep Kodikara and Jineshi Samaraweera of Zowa, disciples of Geoffrey Bawa, designed the bamboo-clad chalets; much of the fabric was built by hand on site. MICHELIN awarded One Key in 2025.
- 10 rooms
- Opened 2018
- Neighborhood: Almora
- Architect: Pradeep Kodikara & Jineshi Samaraweera (Zowa Architects)
About The Kumaon
- The retreat was designed by Sri Lankan architects Pradeep Kodikara and Jineshi Samaraweera, disciples of modernist master Geoffrey Bawa, applying his tropical modernism to the Himalayas.
- Much of the bamboo-clad retreat was built entirely by hand on site at 1,600 meters elevation, with views toward peaks including Nanda Devi and Trishul.
- It sits on the Kasar Devi ridge, a long-storied spiritual haven that has drawn seekers and artists for generations.
History
The Kumaon opened in 2018 on a 2.5-acre hillside site at around 1,600 metres in the village of Kasar Devi, near Almora in India's Uttarakhand Himalayas. It was conceptualised in 2013 by Vikrom Mathur and Raghav Priyadarshi and designed by Sri Lankan architects Pradeep Kodikara and Jineshi Samaraweera of Zowa Architects, whose work draws on Geoffrey Bawa's tropical modernism.
Much of the bamboo-clad, glass-fronted retreat was built by hand on site, its ten suites arranged across a handful of chalets with sweeping views toward peaks such as Nanda Devi and Trishul. The surrounding Kasar Devi ridge is a long-storied spiritual haven that has drawn seekers and artists for generations.
Experiences
- Village and farm walks — Walks through hamlets practicing traditional agriculture.
- Trails to ancient shrines — Trails to ancient shrines through forests of oak, cedar and rhododendron.
- River and meadow relaxation — Soaking the sun on a rock by a river, and lounging in meadows immersed in birdsong.
- Full-day excursions and tailor-made itineraries — Full-day excursions to nearby explorations, and tailor-made itineraries to suit each traveler.
Amenities
- Lounge
- Library
- Private overlapping terraces
- Views of the Great Himalayan range
- Tailor-made itineraries
- Full-day excursions
- Guided walks through hamlets and to ancient shrines
Awards
- MICHELIN Two Keys (2026)
- MICHELIN One Key (2025)
Open The Kumaon in the atlas for live weekend rates, photos, and the full folio.
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