Forsyth Lodge

You know what surprised me most about Forsyth Lodge? It’s actually tucked away in this little village called Bija Kheri that most people have never heard of, about 20 minutes from Sohagpur proper. I mean, when you’re driving there the first time, you’re honestly wondering if your GPS is playing tricks on you – the road gets narrower and you’re passing through these rural patches where buffalo just casually block traffic. But then you turn this corner and there’s this genuinely impressive property that feels like it materialized out of nowhere.

The thing is, this place gets the balance right between being fancy enough to justify those five stars but not so over-the-top that it feels disconnected from where you actually are. The staff – and I’m talking about everyone from the front desk to the guys who help with your bags – they’re from the local area and it shows. They’ll tell you about the best time to visit the nearby Satpura hills (early morning, by the way, before the mist burns off), and they actually know which local markets are worth the detour on your way back to Bhopal. The check-in was smooth, no standing around waiting, and they had this welcome drink that wasn’t the usual generic stuff – some kind of local fruit juice that I couldn’t quite identify but definitely didn’t mind.

What really won me over was how they’ve managed the whole experience without making it feel like you’re trapped in a resort bubble. The rooms are genuinely comfortable – good beds, reliable hot water, and the AC actually works properly, which honestly isn’t always a given in this part of Madhya Pradesh. The food is where they really shine though. I expected typical hotel restaurant fare, but they’ve got this kitchen that does justice to local Malwa cuisine alongside the standard options. Try the dal bafla if they have it – it’s not always on the menu but worth asking about. The dining area gets a nice cross-breeze in the evenings, and you can hear the village settling down for the night, which is oddly peaceful. Sure, it’s not dead quiet – there are dogs barking in the distance and the occasional truck on the main road – but it’s the kind of ambient sound that actually helps you sleep. The 8.4 rating makes sense to me because while everything works well and the service is solid, it’s not trying to be something it’s not. It’s a really good base if you’re exploring this region, and honestly, it’s one of those places that makes you want to come back and spend more time in an area you might have otherwise just passed through.