Ri Kynjai is an architectural masterpiece situated on a hill overlooking Umiam Lake just outside of Shillong, in the unexplored North Eastern India.

Ri Kynjai, property owner/architect Prabhati Dey Sawyan's baby, is a marriage of a form of traditional Khasi architecture with nearly every modern luxury available. The main hotel block is built into the hill and remains mostly hidden from view on approach from the back. At surface level, five cottages crown the property. By using upturned boats on the cottage roofs, the building maintains its ethnic feel without detracting from the surrounding natural environment, and serves to promote the local culture of the Khasi people.

Furnishings and amenities are decidedly upscale without forgoing the property’s natural roots. Rattan chairs, ethnic art and local fabrics used in a minimalist style further the resort’s exclusive look and feel. The lowest level houses a well-stocked bar, a restaurant, conference facility and spa (featuring local Khasi-style treatments), while the mid level has 11 well-appointed rooms, each with its own terrace facing the lake. 

In case the jaw-dropping views and fantastic bathrooms aren’t enough to keep you at the resort for the duration of your stay, you can consider a round of golf at the Shillong Golf Course, a boat ride on the lake or a simple stroll in the nearby villages to walk off the resort’s sumptuously rich food and drink. Otherwise, daytrips can be arranged through the concierge to Cherrapunjee or other sites in nearby Assam.

The resort has done well by employing local people from the region, supporting the Khasi culture and local economy, and using the rich architectural heritage to design an inspirational hotel for North Eastern India.