Love, Life, & Beyond

This year, we didn’t need reminders for any austerity measures. It is the first year in a very long time that we have not taken a single trip this far into the year! We desperately needed a change of scene. Between the soaring summer temperatures and a laundry list of reasons keeping us from making extensive travel plans, a staycation seemed like the most viable option. Enter the Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa—the absolute perfect spot for a quick weekend getaway near Hyderabad.

We had assumed the property would be fairly empty, but apparently, lots of other people had the exact same brilliant idea! Despite the full house, the staff was wonderfully friendly, the property was breathtakingly beautiful, and it gave us that holiday feeling without the exhaustion that usually follows a big trip.

Hyderabad Staycation Road Trip

Getting there was a breeze, especially if you live within easy access to the expressway. The route is almost entirely on the ORR (Outer Ring Road), ensuring a buttery-smooth ride; though my husband spent a good chunk of it complaining about slow vehicles hogging the fast lane! It can get dangerous at high speeds to have to suddenly slow down because someone wants to stroll in the fast lane. Please be mindful of rules and etiquettes of the expressway. Pro tip: keep your favourite road trip playlist ready to keep the vibes high.

The drive itself is gorgeous. The route is lined with lush trees, and the bright, blooming gulmohar flowers contrasted beautifully against the clear summer sky. Since the hotel check-in isn’t until 3 pm, you can easily grab a bite on the way. Once you exit the expressway, there are plenty of restaurants. Blue Fox and Minerva Cafe are quite close to the resort, making them perfect stops for lunch just before check-in. There’s also a petrol station right next to the resort entrance, which is incredibly convenient if you’re coming from a longer distance.

Settling in: Our Resort Stay

We reached a little early, secretly hoping for an early check-in, but the resort was operating at full capacity. No problem—we just headed out for a relaxing lunch. Once we finally got our keys, we were thrilled to find our spacious rooms overlooking a beautiful pond. After our heavy lunch, a short afternoon nap was practically mandatory.

By evening, the temperature dropped significantly, thanks to the thick canopy of trees surrounding the property. We took our time easing into the evening with some coffee before strolling around to snap some pictures in that coveted golden-hour lighting. We ended the evening marveling at a gorgeous sunset by the poolside, sipping on refreshing drinks while some of us cooled down in the water.

The best part? Our son was absolutely thrilled with the activity options. He spent the day happily exploring on his own, which finally gave us the chance to just sit back and relax with a good book (and maybe a little screen time!).

Things To Do at the Resort

When it comes to luxury family resorts in Hyderabad, this one ticks all the boxes for activities. The swimming pool is the biggest attraction in the summer time. Open from 8 to 8 with a lifeguard on duty, you can just sit in a lounge chair inside the water or outside if you don’t want to take a dip. They thoughtfully have a separate toddler pool for the little ones.

There’s also a well-equipped indoor game room that kept both the kids and adults occupied. I liked the large Pacman screen game. Small outdoor play areas spread across the resort for younger children reminded us of our son’s younger days when he wouldn’t pass a slide or swing without using it. There’s also a tennis lawn (though I believe the tennis courts are chargeable).

We spent time walking around the property spotting gorgeous birds. One tree even had a whole host of weaver bird nests! If you look closely, you can also spot smaller critters like geckos. The benches and canopies dotted around the lotus pond provide the ultimate quiet spot to read or catch up with friends to the soothing sound of rippling water. The greenery and the quiet were exactly the break we needed.

There’s a beautiful, serene-looking spa (which we sadly didn’t have time to try this round) and golf buggies to ferry you around the expansive property if you don’t feel like walking. It felt like a place for the whole family where there’s something for everyone to enjoy at all ages.

What to Eat

Food-wise, we were completely spoilt for choice. We managed to try two of the main restaurants during our short stay:

Gingerfire is their all-day diner. You can opt for the lavish buffets or order a la carte. Do yourself a favour and order the mushroom truffle pizza—it was excellent!

Yuzu is their Pan-Asian restaurant and is incredibly popular, so make sure to book a table in advance. They are famous for their Nikkei cuisine, which beautifully blends Asian flavors with Peruvian influences. We loved the subtlety of the steamed sea bass preparation, and the key lime creme brulee.

Drip is a cozy coffee shop that serves as a great place to chill with a book and a hot brew. Nero is the poolside restaurant where we lounged and sipped on drinks by the water.

I also have to give a special shoutout to the breakfast spread. It was massive and delicious, but the live jalebi counter was easily the biggest hit, especially with my mom!

If you are looking for a staycation in Hyderabad that offers incredible food, lush nature, and a seamless blend of family-friendly activities and relaxation, the Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort is a fantastic choice. 

It gave us the exact change of scenery we were craving. Sometimes, a quick weekend drive just outside the city limits is all the therapy you need!