Ri Kynjai - Serenity By The Lake
Room Types
3 Options
Check-in
2:00 PM
Check-out
12:00 PM
Stay Type
Resort
Ri Kynjai - Serenity By The Lake is a luxury resort located along UCC Road in Umniuh Khwan, Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya, situated at an elevation of 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) overlooking Umiam Lake. Positioned 18 kilometers north of Shillong city centre and 15 kilometers from Shillong Airport at Umroi, this 45-acre property is distinguished by its stilted Khasi vernacular architecture, upturned boat-roof cottages, indigenous red pine interiors, and the organic Slasha tea estate.
Available Accommodation
1/5Lake View Cottage
Measuring approximately 800 square feet, the independent Lake View Cottage is Ri Kynjai's premier accommodation, built on reinforced timber stilts with a soaring cathedral ceiling shaped like an upturned Khasi boat. The interior is paneled in aromatic seasoned red pine, centered around a circular natural stone fireplace with a handcrafted beaten-brass chimney hood. A wooden staircase ascends to a mezzanine loft with extra bedding, while the spacious bedroom opens through French glass doors onto a stilted private cantilevered deck with wicker rocking chairs overlooking the open waters of Umiam Lake. Features an expansive dressing alcove and an en-suite bathroom with a deep soaking tub and rainfall shower.
Superior Lake Room
Spanning 783 square feet in the resort's main lodge wing, the Superior Lake Room combines generous proportions with rich red pine wall paneling and traditional cane craftsmanship. The room features a handcrafted queen-size bed (or twin configuration), an artisanal stone fireplace, a dedicated executive study desk, and a large covered private balcony with sweeping panoramic vistas across Umiam Lake. The spacious attached bathroom includes a full porcelain bathtub, a walk-in glass shower enclosure with hot water geyser, and premium herbal bath toiletries.
1/23Supreme Forest Room
Covering 700 square feet within the tranquil upper wing of the lodge, the Supreme Forest Room faces the estate's private pine groves and Slasha tea garden slopes. The bedroom is appointed with fragrant red pine cladding, a queen-size bed with orthopedic mattress and warm duvet, hand-loomed Khasi tribal runners, and a comfortable seating lounge. A wide private wooden balcony provides an immersive forest vantage point for birdwatching, while the en-suite bathroom includes a deep soaking tub, separate rain shower, and running hot water.
Location Details
Umniuh Khwan, UCC Road, Ri Bhoi District, Meghalaya 793103
Our Advice as Northeast Locals
- Request Cottage 1 or Cottage 2 for the most unobstructed lake panoramas: These stilted units sit furthest forward along the promontory ridge, offering uninterrupted morning views across Umiam Lake without rooftop obstruction.
- Reserve outside guest dining at Sao Aiom by 2:00 PM: Outside visitors wishing to dine at Sao Aiom must reserve and confirm gate entry clearance at least four hours in advance, as priority access is strictly reserved for in-house residents.
- Pack sturdy walking shoes with rubber grip: The resort spans 45 acres of hillside terrain connected by over 80 stone steps that can become slippery during morning dew or monsoon rainfall.
- Allow 20 to 25 minutes for the bathroom geyser to reheat: If planning a bath in the soaking tub, run hot water in stages to allow the 25L electric storage geyser adequate time to reheat incoming mountain water.
- Retain your private hired cab and driver for the duration of your trip: Ride-hailing apps do not operate in Umniuh Khwan, and hailing on-demand local taxis from the gate is both expensive and unpredictable.
- Schedule your Slasha tea tasting for late afternoon: The tea lounge offers its best ambient light and freshly brewed artisanal estate flushes between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM, right as mist rolls in over the water.
- Request fireplace lighting before heading to dinner: Housekeeping will light and tend the stone fireplace in your cottage around 7:30 PM, ensuring a cozy room when you return from Sao Aiom.
The Vibe & Vernacular Khasi Architecture
Designed by renowned Shillong architect Prabhat Dey Sawyan, Ri Kynjai draws its structural inspiration directly from indigenous Khasi building traditions and tribal folklore. The signature roofs replicate the curved hull of an upturned wooden boat, echoing ancient Khasi lore of seafaring migration, while also adopting the sloping, protective silhouette of the knup—the conical cane rain-cloak worn by Khasi farmers during monsoon downpours.
Rather than excavating the steep hillside, the entire resort rests on reinforced stilted columns anchored into the granite substrata. This elevated engineering preserves natural groundwater hydrology, prevents topsoil erosion, and allows forest ferns and mountain rivulets to flow undisturbed beneath the cottages. Inside, living spaces are finished in seasoned local red pine timber, filling rooms with a dry, fragrant cedar-pine aroma that deepens on misty mornings. Handwoven Khasi textiles, megalithic stone pillars, and wide viewing decks create an organic architectural dialogue between indigenous heritage and modern comfort.
Location & Travel Distances from Shillong & Guwahati
Perched on an isolated promontory along the western shores of Umiam Lake, Ri Kynjai offers seclusion while remaining accessible from major regional transport arteries. Distance and transit times to key transit hubs and regional sights:
- Police Bazar (Shillong City Centre): 18 km | 45–60 minutes (dependent on the Mawlai transit corridor bottleneck).
- Shillong Airport at Umroi (SHL): 15 km | 25–30 minutes via UCC Road and Umroi junction.
- Guwahati Railway Station (GHY): 85 km | 2.5–3 hours via 4-lane National Highway 6.
- Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati (GAU): 105 km | 3–3.5 hours via NH6.
- Umiam Water Sports Complex (Orchid Lake Resort): 2.5 km | 7 minutes drive.
- Shillong Golf Links: 16 km | 40–45 minutes drive.
- Cherrapunjee (Sohra): 72 km | 2.5–3 hours drive via the Mawlai bypass.
- Dawki & Shnongpdeng (Umngot River): 102 km | 3.5–4 hours drive.
Dining at Sao Aiom & The Slasha Tea Experience
Named after the Khasi phrase for 'Four Seasons', Sao Aiom is Ri Kynjai's fine-dining restaurant, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-air timber terrace framing Umiam Lake. The kitchen celebrates indigenous culinary traditions of the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo hills alongside North Indian and Continental favorites.
Signature Khasi dishes are prepared using traditional earthenware and indigenous ingredients. Must-try specialties include Jadoh (indigenous red hill rice braised with country meat and wild spices), Dohneiiong (tender pork cooked in a roasted black sesame gravy), Do O Pura (a delicate Garo chicken broth thickened with pounded rice), and Tungrymbai (fermented soybean relish stewed with local ginger and roasted garlic). Fresh Umiam freshwater carp, sourced directly from local village fishermen, is steamed with lemon basil and bamboo shoots.
Directly adjacent to the dining room sits the Slasha Tea Lounge, overlooking the resort's private organic tea garden slopes. Here, guests can take part in afternoon tea-tasting sessions featuring hand-plucked green, white, and orthodox black teas processed from the resort's own Slasha bushes, accompanied by homemade ginger cookies and local honey.
Khem Janai Spa & Traditional Khasi Healing
Ri Kynjai’s wellness sanctuary, Khem Janai Spa, is grounded in ancestral Khasi herbal medicine and bodywork traditions practiced across Meghalaya for centuries. Rather than relying on generic commercial spa formulas, the spa employs specialized therapists trained in indigenous Khasi physical therapies.
The signature treatment is Khem Tynrai, a therapeutic deep-tissue Khasi massage utilizing cold-pressed mustard and black sesame oils infused with indigenous botanical extracts. The rhythmic, heated palm strokes improve blood circulation, loosen tight connective tissue, and warm the joints against mountain dampness. For travel fatigue, Khem Jah Thait focuses on targeted pressure points along the spine, calves, and shoulders to relieve chronic tension. Spa suites feature custom hydrotherapy baths, steam cabins, and relaxation pavilions that open out to pine woods, allowing the scent of wild mountain flora to complement the healing process.
Forest Trails & Umiam Lakeside Activities
Ri Kynjai’s private 45-acre estate offers ample outdoor space for leisurely exploration without leaving the grounds:
- Lakeside Walking Trails: Marked gravel paths wind down through pine groves to the shoreline of Umiam Lake. Early mornings offer exceptional birdwatching, with sightings of migratory waterfowls, kingfishers, and mountain drongos.
- Slasha Tea Garden Slopes: Walk the contour-planted tea terraces on the eastern slopes of the estate, where guests can observe tea plucking during harvest cycles and enjoy panoramic vistas across the lake towards the Lum Sohpetbneng sacred peak.
- Umiam Water Sports (2.5 km away): While Ri Kynjai protects its direct shoreline as a silent, non-motorized ecological zone, the Meghalaya Tourism Water Sports Complex at Orchid Lake Resort is just 7 minutes away by car. Guests can book speedboats, water scooters, pedal boats, and guided kayaking tours on the lake.
Getting There & Transit Logistics
Ri Kynjai’s strategic location on the northern flank of Shillong makes arrival seamless, particularly for travelers arriving directly from Assam:
- From Guwahati Airport (GAU): 105 km | 2.5–3 hours via the 4-lane Asian Highway 1 / NH6. Because the turnoff for UCC Road at Umniuh Khwan lies north of Shillong, staying at Ri Kynjai saves you at least 60 to 90 minutes of grueling city traffic compared to driving into central Shillong on your arrival day.
- From Guwahati Railway Station (GHY): 85 km | 2.5 hours via NH6.
- From Shillong Airport at Umroi (SHL): 15 km | 25 minutes. Umroi has direct regional flights connecting Kolkata, Guwahati, and regional capitals.
- Access Road Quality: The 2-kilometer spur road from NH6 down UCC Road to the resort entrance is fully paved tarmac, easily accessible by luxury sedans, SUVs, and standard touring vehicles. Ample private vehicle parking is available inside the secure gate.
The Honest Guide: What to Expect
As Northeast India locals who regularly inspect accommodations across Meghalaya, we believe transparent expectations ensure memorable stays. Ri Kynjai is an extraordinary eco-luxury retreat, but its topography and concept come with definite realities:
- Steep Multi-Tier Stairs (No Elevators or Golf Carts): Built across a steep 45-acre lakeside hillside, the property relies entirely on cascading stone steps and timber footpaths. Traversing between the reception lobby, restaurant, and stilted cottages requires climbing 60 to over 100 stairs. The resort is strictly unsuitable for wheelchair users or travelers with severe knee osteoarthritis or acute mobility limitations.
- Distance from Shillong & Mawlai Bottleneck: Located 18 kilometers north of Police Bazar, reaching downtown Shillong requires navigating the chronic Mawlai traffic chokepoint, taking 45 to 70 minutes each way. Ri Kynjai is engineered as an immersive, peaceful sanctuary; it is not a convenient staging post for daily downtown shopping trips.
- No App-Based Cabs & Fixed Local Taxi Pricing: Uber and Ola do not operate in Umniuh Khwan. Local tourist taxis charge premium return tariffs (₹1,500 to ₹2,500 per trip into Shillong). We strongly recommend retaining a dedicated vehicle and driver throughout your stay.
- No Air Conditioning (Natural Passive Cooling): Situated at 1,000 meters elevation amid pine canopy and water breezes, the resort uses passive cross-ventilation instead of mechanical air conditioning. During winter (November to February), temperatures drop between 6°C and 12°C; cottages are warmed with circular wood-burning fireplaces and high-capacity electric room heaters.
- Geyser Reheat Time for Bathtubs: En-suite bathrooms use individual 25-to-35-liter electric geysers. While hot shower pressure is excellent, filling the deep soaking bathtubs requires running hot water in stages, and consecutive family showers require a 20 to 25-minute reheat interval.
- No On-Site Driver Accommodation: The resort maintains no driver dormitories or staff quarters for visiting chauffeurs. Drivers typically stay at designated driver lodges in Barapani / Umiam bazaar (3 km / 8 minutes drive from the gate).
Curated Journeys
Explore Shillong on a Curated Journey
Pair your stay with a multi-day Northeast road trip like our 7-Day Meghalaya Tour Package: Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki & Mawphlang, arranged with private vehicles and local drivers.
Property Amenities
Property Policies & House Rules
- Cancellation Policy Cancellations made more than 30 days prior to scheduled arrival receive a 100% refund minus payment gateway transaction fees. Cancellations between 15 and 30 days prior to arrival incur a 50% retention charge. Cancellations between 7 and 15 days prior to arrival incur a 75% retention charge. Cancellations made within 7 days of arrival or no-shows are strictly non-refundable. In cases of documented force majeure road blockages across the Guwahati-Shillong highway corridor, payments may be converted into a non-refundable credit voucher valid for 6 months.
- Child & Extra Bed Policy Children aged 0 to 5 years stay complimentary sharing existing bedding with parents, with breakfast included. Children aged 6 years and older require an extra bed and are charged at ₹2,500 per night inclusive of extra mattress and breakfast. Maximum of 2 children permitted per room.
- Pet Policy Pets are strictly not permitted anywhere on resort grounds or inside guest rooms to preserve local wildlife habitats and guest comfort.
- Check-in / Check-out Standard check-in starts at 2:00 PM, and checkout is required by 12:00 PM.
House Rules & Conduct
- Quiet hours from 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM: In respect for nature and resting guests, keep noise to an absolute minimum during the night. Outdoor music, loudspeakers, and late-night revelry on balconies are strictly prohibited.
- Strict no-pet policy: Pets are strictly prohibited anywhere on resort grounds, public lounges, or inside guest rooms.
- Remove muddy outdoor footwear on wooden floors: Guests are requested to remove wet or muddy hiking shoes before walking on the polished red pine bedroom floors; indoor slippers are provided in every wardrobe.
- Fireplaces must be operated exclusively by resort staff: For fire safety, guests must not load untreated outside timber or ignite the stone fireplaces unattended; staff will supply seasoned wood and manage the hearth.
- Gate clearance required for non-resident visitors: For guest security, visiting friends or outside diners must register their vehicle and identity documents at the main security barrier before entry.
- No swimming in unmonitored lake waters: Swimming, diving, or unsupervised watercraft entry from the resort’s natural shoreline is strictly prohibited due to steep underwater drop-offs and fluctuating currents in Umiam Lake.