The hustle and bustle of city life does get the better of even the best of us. Sales targets, PPT presentations and delivery deadlines leave us scampering for breath. It is moments like these that we wish we could getaway to a nearby weekend pitstop to rejuvenate and reenergize to ourselves. So when we received an invitation from Shila Villa Resort for an overnight stay to experience the property, we were naturally excited. Being located in Dhuturdaha village, near Minakhan which is practically a stone throw distance from Kolkata, we didn’t have to think twice before packing our bags and off we went to explore yet another weekend destination.

Route Description
With a paltry 46 kilometres to cover, we reached Shila Villa Resort in an hour and half. After reaching Parama Island near Science City, in front of Pragati Maidan Thana around 11 AM and setting the trip meter to 0.0 km, we set off on our journey along the Basanti Highway - which later merges with the State Highway 3A (SH 3A)

We drove on the scenic Basanti Highway dotted with greenery on both the sides, crossing the Bantala Leather Complex on the right and continuing straight through Bojerhat Notun Bazaar and Paglar Haat.

At 24.9 kilometres on the odometer, we crossed the Ghatakpukur Chowmatha. This is a busy and congested crossing so we adhered caution and kept driving straight towards Minakhan which is around 12.5 kilometres from this point. Upon arriving at Minakhan More, we left Basanti Highway (SH 3A) and turned right on the Deuti - Minakhan Road. We kept driving on the narrow meandering road crossing Chayani Islamia Senior Madrasa School on our left with the odometer indicating 39.6 kilometres. Follow our tulip carefully to navigate through some tricky soft right and left turns along this road. At 45.8 kilometres, leave the Deuti Minakhan Road and turn left. You will notice a prominent wall painting indicating the direction towards Shila Villa Resort. A short drive from here, will lead us to our final destination – Shila Villa Resort.

Shila Villa Resort
The name Shila Villa is not new, especially for picnickers and day visitors. For the past many years, Shila Villa has remained a popular picnic spot and has also been much in demand during the peak wedding season. However, it is only recently that Shila Villa has started gaining popularity as an overnight destination with the recent addition of a new residential building, very artistically built over a pond, a well equipped conference hall, two mud houses, a well maintained swimming pool, a charming little pond with innumerable fishes and a well-manicured garden resplendent with trees and plants of various variety.

Members of Team WHEELS were put up in the Deluxe AC Double Bed Rooms in the new residential building, constructed over a pond, which literally gives you the feeling as if you are floating on water. The rooms are clean and spacious. The beds are comfortable, the bed linens are neat and the washroom is clean and equipped with a geyser. The air conditioning is effective and cools quickly even on hot and humid days. Other amenities in the room include a television, electric coffee maker, cupboard and a mini fridge.

The swimming pool is one of the major attractions for the guests staying at Shila Villa Resort. The pool, although not very large in dimension, is nonetheless both charming and well maintained. Please carry your swimming gear for enjoying a dip in the pool. And for those who simply wish to read a book, enjoy a cuppa or simply spend time in solitude, there are several quiet corners inside the premises to spend that much needed me-time.

The surprise package of our stay was the delicious food on offer. We were served authentic Bengali cuisine for lunch comprising rice, dal, jhuri alu bhaja, veg curry, prawn malai curry, mutton kasa, chatni, papad and sweets.

In the evening, the finger licking cocktail snacks which included chicken pakora, fish finger and French fries left us craving for more. After the consuming all the yummy snacks, we settled for a light dinner at night comprising chicken curry and rice. The following morning we were served luchi, alur torkari, fruits, boiled eggs and sweets for breakfast.

Shila Villa Resort organises toto tours to the nearby potter’s quarter, local temple and fishery for their in-house guests. This provides you with an opportunity for a rendezvous with the local people and a peek into their lives. Overall, we enjoyed our stay in Shila Villa Resort which was both comfortable and enjoyable, thanks to the splendid hospitality by their staff.

Food Packages
Day Out – INR 999 per head including welcome drink, breakfast, snacks, lunch and evening tea. Time: 10 AM to 6PM.
Night Stay – INR 1200 per head including welcome drink, lunch, evening snacks, dinner, and breakfast the following morning. Time: 11 AM (check in) - 10 AM (check out).

Categories of rooms available
Normal AC Double Bed Room – INR 1700
Standard AC Double Bed Room – INR 2000
Mud House – INR 3000
Deluxe AC Double Bed Room – INR 3500
AC Five Bed Dorm – INR 3500
AC Ten Bed Dorm – INR 6000

For booking contact
Shila Villa Resort, Dhuturdaha, Minakhan
West Bengal – 743425, Phone – 9836229187