A sprawling 170-year old British mansion, Barr House was the second of the original British residences in Matheran, built for Captain Barr of the Royal Army and later owned by an eminent Parsi family for decades. Nestling under a canopy of towering Jamun trees, barely a hundred metres from Lake Charlotte and close to popular points like One Tree Hill, Echo Point etc, this stately colonial building was painstakingly restored by Francis Wacziarg, an Indophile French connoisseur and today is the favourite haunt of Mumbai’s eclectic mix of artistes, intelligentsia and the well-heeled, who want to get away from the stress of hectic city life and the relentless onslaught of information, the blessing as well as the bane of modern life. So iconic is the grand veranda that Barr House is today known as the “Verandah in the forest”. Sink into a world of colonial charm with no interference from technology and reconnect with nature and oneself. In the evenings try a perennial Parsi favourite, Dhansak and brown rice or tuck into a rich home-made chocolate ice-cream or better still, a fresh jamun ice-cream made with jamun collected from the towering trees in the estate. Or play scrabble in the stately Dubash hall, curled up on one of the sofas, sipping a cup of Cona coffee made with organic coffee straight from our plantations in Kodaikanal, listening to the philharmonic of nature, or enjoy a cup of tea with a slice of matured plum cake in true colonial style. The kitchens dish out hearty Continental and Mediterranean fare as well as earthy Marathi dishes from around the region. Better still; enjoy a four course candle light dinner in the communal dining hall, at the ancient 18 seater oak table. Barr House has a character which has remained firmly rooted in its colonial past and is immersed in the natural splendour of Matheran.
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HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Boutique
Languages Spoken
English, Hindi, Tamil
Location
Charlotte Lake Road, Matheran 410102 India
Dune Barr House - Verandah In The Forest
604 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
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Nestled in the midst of nature, Dune Barr House - Verandah In The Forest is celebrated for its heritage charm and spacious rooms, despite some remarks about the absence of modern conveniences. The immaculate cleanliness and old English vibe of the rooms earn high praise, as does the hotel's historical atmosphere, replete with antique furnishings.
Guests are enamored with the amenities, including the verandah and delectable cuisine, which along with the local wildlife, contribute to a nostalgic experience. While some have critiqued the hotel's upkeep and staff, the personalized service and unique ambiance offer visitors a distinct value that many find appealing.
Atmosphere
Historic
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Remarkable
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Relaxing
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Dune Barr is a well maintained heritage property located about 4.5kms from Dasturi Car point (2Kms from Matheran Market). The team is really helpful and we got detailed information regarding routes, toy train timings, general rates for horses/potters etc, menu etc before arrival. There is very limited network coverage in the area, with wifi available at one spot only. So this is THE place you must visit when you plan one of those 'go where the wifi is weak' trips! Also there are no TVs in the rooms. But with so much to trek and see around, one hardly misses the electronics.
The food is outstanding. We tried traditional Parsi cuisine, Rajasthani Laas Maans, Smoked Chicken, Pastas, their homemade icecreams, apple pie to humble pakhora... nothing disappointed.
The rooms are big and are comfortably furnished. The property offers various seating areas and all are tastefully done.
It is priced slightly expensively, but it is worth the splurge.
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Date of stay: February 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In the forest, beautiful property, great maintenance and great hospitality Stayed in the elphistone suite, friends stayed in the heritage superior rooms. Food was excellent always. The common areas and veradahs are large airy and spacious. Loved it
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Date of stay: October 2020
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Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Stay here is rejuvenating and an unique experience. Walking in adjacent woods observe monkeys teasing the passers by is a good entertainment. During severe cold climate having a black coffee a speciality of Dune Barr House is really refreshing. Having a chat with other guests staying discussing interesting topics of mutual interest is rewarding.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing experience, this place is for people seeking calm and peace. Away from the hustle bustle of the market. Centre of Attraction is the bungalow itself, it's architecture and furniture.
One can just relax with worrying about phone calls and email popups as in most of the bungalow area there is no network. There is one wifi router which can be of help in emergency near the Manager's room.
I cannot close the review without mentioning the Food, the food served is delicious inside the house.
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had a wonderful time at the Dune Barr Hotel. We were made to feel welcome immediately. The old colonial building is magnificent and the spacious comfortable room we had was joy. Eating dinner on the veranda watching the sun go down was quite memorable. Ratrekh was an attentive host and forwarded to us every bit of information we would need to get to the Dune Barr, prices of various transport etc. We chose horses to go up and hand pulled rickshaws to go down.....such fun. There are a lot of hotels in the area but we would choose the Dune above all others if we were to return to Matheran. Thank you for a lovely stay. Nearly forgot...it was so peaceful and there's not a lot of that in India!!
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Date of stay: February 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dunn Barr is a heritage property and it’s maintained well that way - from the lighting, to room decor, the dining room, the verandah. I would recommend the Heritage Deluxe rooms as they are on the verandah facing the “forest”. The Heritage superior are on the floor below. These are very good as well but doesn’t have the charm of the verandah room when sitting outside.
The food is also very good with very decent selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. It’s also a short walk to some of the key view points such as Charlotte lake, king George point and Echo point.
The staff, headed by Mr. Ratheesh, gives excellent support. Do keep in mind there is no WiFi or mobile signal in the rooms but quite fast WiFi in one specific area. There is also no room service. This is not an issue as all rooms are within a minute of the lobby where help is at hand. This is the place to be if you want to cut-off. Past sunset, it can be very charming or quite spooky. I loved it. 😄👌
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Date of stay: June 2024Trip type: Travelled solo
Room Tip:The Heritage Deluxe gives the best experience of the property. Good and fast WiFi is a specific...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
recently stayed at Dune Barr House - Verandah in the Forest, and it was truly a memorable experience. The property is steeped in history and surrounded by the serene beauty of Matheran's lush forests, making it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
The heritage bungalow itself is charming, with beautifully maintained rooms that offer a nostalgic yet comfortable atmosphere. Waking up to the sounds of birds chirping and the sight of mist-covered trees was a highlight of our stay. The peace and quiet you find here are unmatched.
The staff was incredibly warm and welcoming, always going the extra mile to ensure we were comfortable. They were attentive to our needs, and we really appreciated the personal touch they brought to our stay.
While there may not be modern amenities like Wi-Fi, this actually enhanced our experience, allowing us to disconnect and truly unwind. We spent our days exploring Matheran’s scenic trails and evenings enjoying the calm, relaxing ambiance of the hotel.
Overall, if you're looking for a unique getaway where you can relax and reconnect with nature in a charming heritage setting, Dune Barr House is the perfect choice. We can’t wait to return!
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Date of stay: September 2024
Value
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Location
Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveling from Mumbai involved a lengthy journey by train, cab, and a nearly 7 km trek from Dasturi Point to Dune Barr House - Verandah In The Forest a heritage hotel property . Throughout our stay, the host managers Ratheesh and Rekha, ensured our absolute comfort. Although I fell slightly ill upon arrival, they took excellent care of me. This place is perfect for those who enjoy peaceful seclusion, with limited mobile network or WiFi in the rooms. However, there is a designated area where WiFi is available with guidance from Ratheesh and Rekha. The food, offered by the chef couple with Ratheesh's guidance , was exceptional. Rekha (Ratheesh’s wife) also is an excellent cook as she prepared Kerala delicacies such as Avial and appam which are my all time favourites. The rooms are well maintained by the staff and the management- from lighting to decor to the Verandah. Additionally, their son, Rigveda, entertained us with his inquisitive nature and made our stay even more enjoyable. RR - you guys rock !!! I would love to visit this place once again.
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Date of stay: August 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Our stay at Dune Barr House was memorable. This is a heritage resort, which was originally built by Capt Barr in the 19th century. The old world charm is still retained. The rooms are big with very high ceilings (so ceiling fans are out). It's a place to be with nature and the rooms don't have air-conditioning, television and don't have mobile connectivity too ! It's a perfect getaway place where you can just chill. There is an impressive reception and dining area and you just wonder at the various times those pieces of furniture would have witnessed. A special word for Rahteesh and his team who left no stone unturned in making this holiday special for us
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A very old, but beautiful building. Not easy to get to, but added to the quaintness of the location. The directional signage was lacking. Luckily, the rickshaw-walla we had hired to carry our luggage from Dastoori while some of us walked, was knowledgeable and and took those of us who rode by other rickshaws right to the place. We who were walking were left to our own devices to find the place! Upon finally reaching the place we were disappointed by the looks of the place - rundown and visibly lacking maintenance - nothing like what we were expecting from the photos on the website and the 5⭐️ prices (Mumbai standards) we were charged! But the saving grace was the staff, though untrained, who were warm and responsive. The Manager was very responsive and attentive as well. We lacked nothing by way of tasty food and on time service.
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Date of stay: January 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:If walking to the place from Dastoori (parking lot) or train station be prepared to walk apox 1.5...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Matheran is wet and messy during rains.
But it has its own beauty during rainy season. You see clouds in your hotel rooms and its all chilled & green around. Also the Charlotte Lake gets full and you can enjoy the overflowing water there.
Sigh-seeing can be done but carry a nice pair of water resistant sandals & raincoat .. :)
There are more places to choose from in the Matheran area.
PRICE RANGE
₹6,912 - ₹8,899 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
the verandah in the forest hotel matheran, the verandah in forest
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Neemrana's - Verandah in the Forest
LOCATION
IndiaMaharashtraRaigad DistrictMatheran
NUMBER OF ROOMS
11
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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