When I saw Jilling Terraces featured among Condé Nast Traveller's selection of charming Kumaon homestays, it made me reflect on what makes intimate, personal properties so special. While the world of hospitality grows increasingly standardized, there's a quiet revolution happening in the hills, valleys, and forgotten corners of India – where properties like ours are proving that the most memorable stays often come in small packages.

The Magic of Personal Properties

Patching waste fabric to create Magical Textiles - Enterprising Paniyali women Upcycling

Every morning, as I watch the mist roll over our ancient oaks and hear the early chorus of whistling thrush, I'm reminded that what we offer isn't just accommodation – it's a slice of our lives, our dreams, and our connection to these mountains. The house, built in 1933 by a Sanskrit scholar for his Polish wife, holds within its walls stories that no corporate manual could replicate.

What Makes Us Different

Our fabulous team with Soundscape Musicians from 2023

It's the little things that define properties like ours. The way our local staff knows exactly how the weather patterns affect the trail up to Chestnut House. How our kitchen adapts its menu to what local farmers bring to our door each season. The genuine excitement when a guest spots a rare bird or when the mountains reveal themselves after days of hiding behind clouds.

Building Communities, Not Just Properties

Working with local materials with local artisans

Small properties like ours become part of the local fabric in ways that larger establishments simply can't. Our success is intertwined with our community's wellbeing. When guests stay with us, they're not just booking a room – they're supporting local farmers who supply our kitchen, artisans who maintain our traditional buildings, and guides who share their ancestral knowledge of these mountains.

The Joy of Personal Hospitality

There's something deeply satisfying about running a small property. Yes, it means being hands-on with everything from maintenance to guest experiences. But it also means having the freedom to be authentic, to adapt, to create experiences that feel genuine rather than scripted.

When our guests tell us about the peaceful sleep they had listening to the wind in the deodars, or how they'll never forget sharing stories around our dining table with other travelers, we know we're doing something right.

Growing While Staying True

As more travelers seek authentic experiences, properties like ours face an interesting challenge: how to grow while maintaining the personal touch that makes us special. Our approach has been simple – stay true to our core values:

Preserve the authenticity of experiences
Keep our connection to the local community strong
Maintain the intimate scale that allows for personal interactions
Let the property evolve naturally, guided by our guests' experiences and our environment

The Future is Personal

Being featured in Condé Nast Traveller alongside other unique properties in Kumaon affirms what we've always believed – there's a growing appreciation for intimate, personally-run properties. In a world that often prioritizes scale and standardization, we're proud to be part of a community of small properties that offer something different: genuine connections, authentic experiences, and stays that become cherished memories.

To all the other small property owners out there – those who chose to create something personal and unique – keep doing what you're doing. Your passion, dedication, and willingness to share your corner of the world enriches not just your guests' lives, but the very fabric of hospitality itself.

After all, isn't that what true hospitality is about? Not just providing a place to stay, but creating a space where memories are made, stories are shared, and connections – to places, people, and nature – are forged.

A Love Letter to Small, Personal Properties: Celebrating the Heart of Hospitality