It takes 10 minutes to reach Sassoon Road, an off-shoot of the central boulevard that meanders from the din of Mahabaleshwar’s main market. Trimmed on either side with dense foliage and rust-coloured brick walls, it is enveloped in silence and clear air. Somewhere along the road, our driver veers off-course to enter an iron gate leading to a grand path strewn with ochre-coloured leaves and a thick
Initially built by the British government for its war veterans, it was soon acquired by a prominent Jewish businessman, Sir Jacob Sassoon. Eventually, it was bought by the great-grandfather of its current owner, Neville Patel, who restored the property. The mansion is an amalgamation of the heritage of two of Mumbai’s most celebrated communities: the Jews and Parsis. It is decorated with objets d’art; portraits of members of the Sassoon family, pictures of Patel’s ancestors and luxurious 19th-century Parsi furniture.
I check in to the Jacob Sassoon room (the Sybil Sassoon room has an attached children’s room with two small single beds) and sink into an unbelievably comfortable four-poster bed. I can see an electric fireplace in front of me which I switch on to combat the nippy Mahabaleshwar air. A splendid vintage fan looms over me. The upholstery, in soft hues of blue, yellow and cream, complements the ivory walls. In true colonial fashion, the room has a changing-and-waiting area adjacent to the bathroom.
Simple, home-cooked Parsi, Gujarati and Indian meals are served at the 12-seater dining table. A special mention for Chandan, the general manager, who ably leads the courteous and ‘well-trained staff. The bungalow has a porch running through its front that’s sprinkled with lazy chairs for relaxation. For those seeking exploration, the estate is spread across seven acres and houses a honey-harvesting farm.
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