The Westin Sohna Resort & Spa

The Westin Sohna Resort & Spa sits inside 60 acres of the Aravalli foothills, far enough from Gurgaon's glass towers that you can hear peacocks calling across the lawns. It is a 5-star Marriott property that takes pet travel seriously — not just as a policy checkbox but as a genuine package with its own name: the Pet-cation by Westin. All 97 rooms and villas are pet-friendly, the Premier Pool Villas come with private fenced pools your dogs can run free beside, and the welcome amenity waiting in the room when you arrive includes a plush pet bed, food and water bowls, and a customised in-room pet menu.

The property

The resort is built across a series of red-brick villa clusters connected by winding garden paths. Peacocks roam freely on the grounds alongside rabbits, guinea pigs, emus, and a horse — making every morning walk an event for dogs who have never seen anything like it. The main outdoor pool is large and open, flanked by sun loungers and a poolside café (Splash) — a good place to spend an afternoon while a partner or friend takes the dogs back to the villa. The spa, Heavenly Spa by Westin™, is one of the largest resort spas near Delhi at over 15,000 square feet. Activities include horse riding, go-karting, cycling, cricket, and boating on the Westin lake.

The villa

The Premier Pool Villas are the right choice for travelling with dogs. Each comes with a private plunge pool enclosed within a walled garden — meaning your dogs are contained and you are not watching the gate. The interiors are spacious with a king bed, separate living area, and a bathroom with an open skylight above the soaking tub. Buffet breakfast and evening hi-tea are included in the Pet-cation package.

Watch our visit

We documented our stay at The Westin Sohna with Apple, Captain, and Kimchi across two reels — the villa, the grounds, the peacocks, and three very happy dogs. People have been asking for the location ever since.

Best time to visit

October through March is ideal — the Aravalli countryside is cool and green, the peacocks are active, and the outdoor grounds are at their best. Summer visits (April–June) work well as an escape from Delhi's heat given the resort's tree cover and altitude, though midday walks should be short. Monsoon (July–September) makes the lawns especially lush but the grounds can be muddy.