Junglebrooke by Animal Matter to Me (kolhapur)

Junglebrooke by Animal Matter to Me is a 100% pet-friendly pool estate set in the village of Vitthalwadi, near Kolad in Maharashtra , a lush, green pocket of the Sahyadri foothills that sits roughly 130 kilometres from Mumbai. Billed as India's first animal-first luxury retreat, this 8-cottage property was built around the idea that pets aren't an afterthought , they're the reason to come. With a swimming pool, hydrotherapy for pets, a rescue petting zone, and river rafting on the Kundalika River just nearby, it covers ground that very few pet-friendly stays in Maharashtra even attempt.

The Setting

Vitthalwadi is a quiet village in the Kolad belt, an area that most Mumbaikars associate with river rafting and monsoon greenery. Junglebrooke sits on estate grounds that the property describes as a pool estate , meaning the outdoor space is substantial enough to give dogs genuine room to roam. The surrounding landscape is Sahyadri foothills: dense, humid, and alive with birdsong. For dogs who spend their weeks in city apartments, this kind of sensory environment is the kind of reset that actually registers. The 8-cottage layout means the property never feels crowded, and the grounds are shared with a curated mix of guests who have chosen this place specifically because they travel with animals.

The resort has been operating since 2016 and has built a 4.8-star rating across 233 Google reviews , a score that holds up unusually well for a niche property. It has received recognition through a Hotel of the Year award and is listed as a Premium Hotel on quality platforms, suggesting the baseline standards of accommodation are not being traded away in favour of the pet-forward positioning.

What the Property Offers Pets

The amenity list here is genuinely unusual for India. Hydrotherapy for pets is listed as a dedicated facility , a treatment option that you would normally need to visit a specialist vet clinic to access. There is also a Rescue Petting Zone, described as a loving corner to connect with adorable rescue animals, which suggests the property has a relationship with animal welfare and rescue that goes beyond marketing language. Combined with the swimming pool (confirm with the property whether dogs are permitted in the pool), campfire evenings, a wellness zone for yoga and meditation, and a full entertainment zone with indoor games, the activity offering here is designed to work for the human and the animal simultaneously.

The property also offers river rafting on the Kundalika River as part of its adventure programming , worth noting that water activities of this kind are high-energy and may not be suitable to combine with dogs unless supervised arrangements are in place. Confirm logistics with the property if you plan to raft and travel with a dog.

Pet Policy , What We Know and What to Confirm

Junglebrooke explicitly accepts dogs and cats, and positions itself as a 100% pet-friendly stay. The property website includes a dedicated "About Pets" navigation tab, which indicates that pet accommodation is a core part of the offering rather than a side concession. Whether pets are permitted inside the cottage rooms (as opposed to outdoor and common areas only) has not been confirmed from available sources , this is an important detail to verify before booking, particularly if you travel with a cat or a dog that isn't comfortable sleeping separately.

Pet charges are not publicly listed. The base stay pricing noted on the Rooms page is ₹20,000 , whether a separate pet fee applies on top of this is unknown. Call 089888 99091 or check the website at junglebrooke.com to get current pet charge details before finalising your booking. Given the property's strongly pet-forward positioning, it is possible that pet-friendly amenities are bundled into the stay rate, but this cannot be confirmed without direct contact.

Getting There

The property is located at Village Vitthalwadi, Gat No. 126, Chinchavli Atome Tarfe, Kolad, Maharashtra 402304. Kolad is accessible by road from Mumbai (approximately 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic) and Pune (approximately 2 hours). The Kolad belt is a popular weekend destination, which means traffic on Friday evenings can be heavy , plan accordingly if you are travelling with anxious dogs. The drive itself is scenic once you clear the expressway, winding through ghats and green valleys. Parking is available on the estate grounds.