Escape to Paradise: Himayra Retreat Awaits in Lansdowne, India
Escape to Paradise: Himayra Retreat Awaits in Lansdowne, India
Escape to Paradise: Himayra Retreat - My Messy, Honest, and Totally Human Review (Plus, a Booking Offer You Won't Believe!)
Okay, so, Himayra Retreat in Lansdowne, India. Let's get real. I’m not one for sugarcoating things, especially when it comes to hotels. You want the truth, the whole truth? Buckle up, buttercups. I'm about to unleash the unfiltered Himayra experience.
First Impressions (and the Long Road): Accessibility, Accessibility, and (Let's Be Realistic) Accessibility
Lansdowne. Beautiful, right? But getting to it? That's where the adventure REALLY begins. Seriously, pack your patience and maybe a travel-sized bottle of something soothing. I'm not going to lie, the roads up there… well, let's just say they're not exactly designed for a leisurely Sunday drive. If you, like me, need a bit of extra consideration, particularly regarding movement, then Himayra's accessibility needs some serious attention. The website blurb says they have "Facilities for disabled guests" but I would really check the details. Ask a lot of questions about ramps, elevators (yes, elevators are important), and the actual walkability of the property before you book.
Once You Finally Arrive (and Pray You Don't Need a Stretcher):
Once you're past the journey from hell, the actual hotel does start to… well, it starts to redeem itself. The air is gloriously clean, the views are genuinely stunning.
- Wheelchair Accessible: I wasn't traveling with anyone in a wheelchair, but this is something I'm always hyper-aware of. As above, ASK. Verify. Don't rely on the website alone. Call them directly and quiz them on specifics.
- Accessibility, Continued (and My Own Personal Struggle): Let's be honest, the uneven terrain around the reception area, the steps leading to the… everything… this is not a place that screams "easily navigable." It's a bit of a clamber. I, being a person with… let's say, a slight tendency to trip over my own feet (thanks, genetics!), found myself muttering under my breath more than once.
- Check-in/out [Express] and Check-in/out [Private]: Super handy! Especially after that drive.
Rooms: Sanctuary or Shack? (Mostly Sanctuary, Thank Goodness)
The rooms themselves are… good. Really good. Let's break it down:
- Available in All Rooms: Air Conditioning, Alarm Clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout Curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/Tea Maker, Complimentary Tea, Daily Housekeeping, Desk, Extra Long Bed, Free Bottled Water, Hair Dryer, High Floor, In-Room Safe Box, Interconnecting Room(s) Available, Internet Access – LAN, Internet Access – Wireless, Ironing Facilities, Laptop Workspace, Linens, Mini Bar, Mirror, Non-Smoking, On-Demand Movies, Private Bathroom, Reading Light, Refrigerator, Safety/Security Feature, Satellite/Cable Channels, Scale, Seating Area, Separate Shower/Bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke Detector, Socket Near the Bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual Alarm, Wake-Up Service, Wi-Fi [Free], Window That Opens. (Phew!)
- The Bed: OMFG, the bed! A proper, cloud-like, sink-in-and-never-leave kind of bed. I actually slept. Pure bliss.
- The View: Depends on your room. Mine looked out onto… mountains! Glorious, majestic mountains. I’d happily live there.
- The Bathroom: Clean, well-appointed, and (thankfully) hot water that actually works. A huge win in my book.
Internet: The Modern Traveler's Achilles Heel (And Himayra's Saving Grace?)
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms: YES! Praise be. And, surprisingly, it actually works. Not lightning-fast, mind you, but enough to check emails, stalk my friends on Instagram, and, you know, actually do some work if you’re forced to.
- Internet [LAN]: Didn't use it, but it's there. Useful if you're a dinosaur who still uses ethernet cables.
- Internet Services: They offer it. See above.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Ditto. It's reliable! Seriously, this is a major point in their favor. The internet in hotels can ruin a perfectly good trip, so this is worth celebrating.
Food, Glorious Food (or, the Buffet Blues and the Occasional Delight)
Okay, let's talk food. This is where things get a little… mixed.
- Restaurants: There are restaurants!
- Asian Breakfast, Asian Cuisine in Restaurant: The Asian breakfast? Pretty good! The noodles, a bit too salty for me, but overall delicious.
- Western Breakfast, Western Cuisine in Restaurant: I definitely went back for seconds on the bacon.
- Breakfast [Buffet] and Buffet in Restaurant: The buffet is… well, it’s a buffet. It's convenient, but don't expect Michelin-star magic. It had a lot of standard stuff but was still lovely.
- A la Carte in Restaurant: The menus aren’t vast, but there's something for everyone (vegetarian friends rejoice!).
- Coffee/Tea in Restaurant, Coffee Shop: Decent coffee! Always important.
- Snack Bar, Poolside Bar: Useful for a quick bite or a pre-dinner cocktail.
- Room Service [24-hour]: Excellent for when you're exhausted and just want to eat in bed.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Ask the staff.
- Desserts in restaurant, Soup, Salad: The desserts are simple, the soup comforting.
Eating with Safety in Mind:
- Cashless payment service Yes! A relief.
- Safe dining setup: They do try. Tables are spaced out, staff wears masks. I felt reasonably comfortable.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Good to know.
- Individually-wrapped food options: A nice touch, although it does create a lot of unnecessary waste.
Things to Do (Beyond Just Breathing Fresh Mountain Air)
Okay, the stuff that truly sets them apart.
- Pool with View: Listen. This pool is incredible. Infinity edge, overlooking the mountains. I spent a solid afternoon just floating and staring. Pure bliss. Seriously, book this place for the pool alone.
- Sauna, Spa, Spa/Sauna, Steamroom: I am a spa person, and I can tell you, you need to take advantage of the sauna!
- Massage: Book it! I had one of the best massages of my life. Seriously, the masseuse was a miracle worker. My back pain disappeared.
- Fitness Center, Gym/Fitness: Actually a decent workout room. I mean, the views alone are motivating.
Ways to Relax (Because That's What It's All About, Right?)
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath: If you need to go more than once… yes! The Himayra experience encourages relaxation.
- Terrace: Perfect for evening drinks. Watching the sunset from there is an absolute must.
- Shrine: Very cool.
Cleanliness & Safety: Are They Doing It Right?
Look, safety and hygiene are paramount these days. Here's what I observed:
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Rooms sanitized between stays: I saw evidence of this. Everything felt remarkably clean.
- Hand sanitizer: Plentiful!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to be.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Pretty well observed.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Always a good thing.
- First-aid kit: Yep.
- Sterilizing equipment: Not so sure what they are.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: This is a nice touch.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good.
- Hygiene certification: Don't recall seeing it.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
- Air conditioning in public area, Air Conditioning: Essential.
- Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman: Helpful, friendly staff.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Useful if you're staying a while.
- Luggage storage: Always appreciated.
- Parking: Free.
- Cash withdrawal, Convenience store, Currency exchange: Convenient.
(A Quick Rambling Moment):
You know, there's something about being surrounded by mountains that just… calms the soul. I went there stressed and came back feeling… well, almost human. And that pool! I can almost hear the water now.
**Hotel Krisha Daman: Your Luxurious Indian Getaway Awaits!**
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because we're about to dive headfirst into my (probably disastrous, definitely messy) itinerary for The Himayra Retreat in Lansdowne, India. Consider this less a schedule and more a slightly deranged travel diary with a healthy dose of "I'll probably mess this up."
The Himayra Retreat: Land of Lush and Likely Lost Causes (and Probably Delicious Food)
Day 1: Arrival - The Great Altitude Adjustment (and the Search for Wifi)
- Morning (or Whenever I Finally Crawl Out of Bed): Arrive at Delhi airport, probably looking a sweaty mess. The flight was… eventful. The guy behind me snored like a pneumatic drill. I swear, I'm pretty sure he could level a building with that thing. My carry-on? Currently stuck in some cargo hold purgatory. Pray for its swift return.
- Anecdote: The cab ride to Lansdowne? Oh god. The driver was a speed demon disguised as a human being. He kept offering me chai, which was delicious, but mostly because I was terrified and needed something to calm my nerves. Said something about mountain roads and “no fear.” He clearly lacks some common sense. Or maybe I do.
- Mood: Mostly a mix of jet lag and existential dread.
- Afternoon: Arrive at The Himayra Retreat (HOPEFULLY). Check-in. Pray to the Wifi gods that the internet is actually working. I can't function without it…or at least, I think I can't.
- Expectation: Instagram-worthy views. Peace and quiet. Maybe a tiny, adorable goat.
- Reality (Predicting): Probably a slightly wonky room. Maybe. The wifi will be a tragedy. The goat will be elusive and possibly judging me.
- Minor Category: Immediate Needs: Hydration. Coffee. A nap (in that order). And a strong drink after that.
- Evening: Explore the retreat. Stumble around a bit, try to find my bearings. Dinner. I'm already dreading ordering, I'm the worst orderer.
- Culinary Ambitions: Stuff my face with all the delicious Indian food I can handle. I'm thinking butter chicken, maybe some dal makhani, and definitely a mountain of naan. If I'm feeling adventurous, perhaps try something I can't pronounce.
- Emotional Reaction: Pure, unadulterated joy. Food is my love language.
- Quirky Observation: I'm going to get lost. Count on it. I have the sense of direction of a particularly confused house cat. Probably I'll spend a good hour or two wandering around, wondering if I'm actually in the right place.
- Culinary Ambitions: Stuff my face with all the delicious Indian food I can handle. I'm thinking butter chicken, maybe some dal makhani, and definitely a mountain of naan. If I'm feeling adventurous, perhaps try something I can't pronounce.
Day 2: The Great Outdoors (and the Possible Encounter with a Monkey)
- Morning: Attempt (key word) a hike. The brochure promised "breathtaking views." I'm bracing myself for "mild disappointment."
- Imperfection Alert: I WILL get winded. I haven't exercised since… well, let's just say it's been a while. My hiking boots are probably collecting dust.
- Rambling Thought: I wonder if I can bribe a local to carry me up the hill? Maybe with a KitKat? No, they'd probably think I was being silly.
- Afternoon: More exploring, possibly with a guide (because I'd get lost without one). I'm secretly hoping to spot some wildlife. (Like that adorable goat.)
- Emotional Reaction: Exhilaration at the views, combined with mild panic about getting eaten by something.
- Opinionated Language: Those views HAD better be worth it! Otherwise, I'm writing a sternly worded letter to the tourism board.
- Doubling Down: The view from whatever I am going to see better be the most beautiful view I've ever seen!
- Evening: Relax, read, and soak up the peace… OR… and more likely… I'm going to spend the evening battling mosquitos and trying to find the least creepy-looking restaurant in town for dinner.
Day 3: The Retreat and Reflections (and the Unavoidable Meltdown)
- Morning: Maybe a yoga class (if I can pry myself out of bed and remember to bring my yoga mat, which is unlikely). If the mountain air hasn't already rendered me unconscious.
- Stream-of-Consciousness: Okay, deep breaths. In…out…I hope no one notices my flailing. Maybe I’ll just pretend to be meditating. This is going to be a disaster. Yoga is not my friend.
- Afternoon: Relax, get a massage (YES, please!).
- More Rambling: I deserve this. Years of hard work. Of, of… just living. I'm so tense I could crack walnuts with my shoulders.
- Evening: Dinner again. Maybe a campfire. Maybe a breakdown. I guess it depends on the day.
- Messy Honesty: Honestly, by this point, I'll probably be completely over-stimulated and just want to watch something awful on my phone.
Day 4: Leaving Lansdowne (and the Sad Reality of Life)
- Morning: Pack. Sigh dramatically. Contemplate never leaving. Probably fail to pack properly.
- Afternoon: Farewell to The Himayra Retreat. Back to the driver from hell. Oh god.
- Evening: Fly back to Delhi. Then, Back to the real world. The one with emails and responsibilities and the ever-present burden of laundry.
- Emotional Reaction: A mixture of sadness, exhaustion, and a strange sense of unfulfilled potential. Why are vacations always so short?
Basically, this is my plan in a nutshell. It's a guideline, a suggestion, a starting point. Whether I stick to it? Well, your guess is as good as mine. Wish me luck, and pray for the WiFi!
P.S. If anyone sees my carry-on luggage, please send it back to me. I think it contains my sanity. Or what's left of it.
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Escape to Paradise: Himayra Retreat - FAQ (Because Real Life is Messy!)
Okay, so Himayra. Is it REALLY Paradise? (Or Just Instagram-Paradise?)
Alright, let's be real. Paradise is a strong word. Is it the photo-ready, filter-perfect Instagram version? Probably not. But... is it pretty darn close? Yeah, actually, it is. I mean, the views from the cottages at Himayra… *chef's kiss*. I swear, one morning, I nearly choked on my chai because the sun was just *bursting* over the mountains like a glorious, orange explosion. I literally gasped! My partner, as usual, rolled his eyes and said, "Dramatic much?" He's right, I am. But the point is, it's beautiful. It’s the kind of beautiful that makes you want to throw your phone into the woods (almost).
Getting There: My Car's a Wimp - Can I handle THAT drive?
The drive… oh, the drive. Look, I'm not going to lie. It’s a mountain road. It’s winding. It’s sometimes… *unpredictable*. We took our sedan (a trusty little thing, bless its cotton socks), and it handled it. Slowly. Very slowly. There were moments, particularly after a rather enthusiastic downpour, where I swear the car was considering just rolling back down the hill and giving up. My partner, bless his heart, kept repeating, "Just breathe, just breathe…" He seemed more worried about me screaming than the road conditions. So, yeah, if your car's got a pulse and can handle inclines, you'll be fine. But, a sturdier SUV would probably give you less reason to grip the passenger door handle until your knuckles turn white. And pack a car freshener. Just in case. Road trips are not always about roses.
What are the rooms REALLY like? (Are the pictures *lying*?!)
Okay, the pictures... they're pretty good. But reality? It's better. Honestly. We stayed in a (I think they called it a Deluxe Cottage or something fancy). It was cozy, wood-paneled, spotlessly clean (which is a huge win in my book), and had a fireplace! Yes! A fireplace! We used it. We roasted marshmallows and made a complete mess. (I'm sure the housekeeping staff had a field day.) The bed... oh, the bed. It was like sinking into a giant cloud made of fluff and dreams. Seriously, I slept like a log. The bathroom was modern, with a hot shower that actually worked (a godsend after a day of hiking). The only "downside?" My partner hogged the fluffy, oversized towel. That's just life, I guess.
Let's Talk Food. Is it just bland hotel fare? (I require *flavor*.)
Bland hotel fare? Absolutely NOT! Thank goodness. The food at Himayra was a highlight. They have a restaurant, and the food? Delicious. They clearly put a lot of local ingredients on the table. The breakfast was a feast – fresh fruit, parathas, eggs cooked every which way. The dinner? Forget about it. One night, they served this amazing chicken dish, with a sauce that I would happily bottle and drink. (Okay, maybe not drink, but *dip* things in it, definitely!) And the service was outstanding. The staff were so friendly and helpful, always smiling, and willing to cater to every whim. (I may have requested a particularly strong cup of coffee at 6 AM one morning. Oops.) I recommend trying everything. Even the things you're not sure about. You might be surprised. And be warned, you will probably overeat.
Activities? Beyond "staring at the view"?
Okay, yes, staring at the view is a legit activity. And frankly, it's one of the best. But, you know, you might want to *do* things. They have some things. You can go for treks. We went on one. It was harder than I thought it would be. (Turns out, uphill walking is… well, it's uphill!) But the views from the top? Worth it. Absolutely worth it. You could also just wander around the property, which is lovely. There are swings, a play area for kids (if you have them; I do not – thank goodness!). You can arrange for bonfires in the evening. We did that. There was singing. There was laughter. There may have been slightly burnt marshmallows. Ah, good times.
The Staff – Are they genuinely nice? (Or just putting on a show?)
Honestly? Genuinely nice. Forget the show. These folks were the real deal. There's a difference, you know? It's the difference between a forced smile and a genuine one. They were helpful, friendly, and always went the extra mile. We had a small issue with the TV (because, you know, sometimes you need a quick dose of reality TV even when in paradise – don't judge!). The staff took care of it immediately. Honestly, they are the reason the place is what it is.
Any downsides or things that weren't perfect? (Be honest!)
Okay, time to be brutally honest. Perfection is boring anyway, right? (And frankly, impossible). A few minor things: 1) The Wi-Fi, while available, wasn't the strongest. But honestly, that's a plus in my book. It forced me to unplug, to look up, to... you know... actually *be* there. 2) One of the nights, some local dogs had a howling contest. It was a bit disruptive. 3) One of the curtains kept getting stuck, and I had to call for help. It was hilarious, actually. But that's it. Everything else was fantastic. You can't expect flawless at a mountain retreat, can you?
Is it good for kids?
Yep, absolutely. They seemed well-equipped for children. I saw a bunch of families there. There's a play area, and plenty of open space for them to run around. The staff were super friendly and attentive to the kids. They also have menus kids will love.
Would you go back? (The ultimate question!)
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