I’ve been wanting to go to Himalayas for fairly someday for all of the goodness related to the place and as quickly as Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas opened up I made a decision to do an extended keep. Whereas the journey received bit delayed as I had my different journey to Europe, I finally visited the property in July for five days.
The situation, individuals, meals and all the things else are nice that I’ve booked a keep as soon as once more in beneath a month. For those who’re questioning what’s taking me to this heaven so usually, right here’s an in depth end-to-end assessment of all the things you should know concerning the Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas.
Reserving
- Income charge: 37,000 INR+GST
- Marriott Bonvoy Factors: Dynamic between 15K and 25K factors
Whereas the income charge is sort of excessive, I assume it’s important to keep up the property. It was even greater when it was initially opened and doubtless it’ll go up as soon as once more because the busy season is again.
Location
It’s positioned at about 40Km / 45min drive from Dehradun airport. There are 2 routes to the resort and often the highway going to Rishikesh is taken, because it’s greater, wider and safer highway.
As quickly as you permit the airport space, you’ll go a bridge from which you’ll be able to see decrease Himalayan hills in entrance of you. You possibly can as properly see a small metropolis within the hills, which is “Narendra nagar” and that’s the place you’ll be heading to.
The drive from airport to Rishikesh may be very properly maintained and it’s principally a highway within the forest. You possibly can see vibrant work all via the best way to the resort, the G20 impact, which occurred in Westin as properly.
The hillside highway was nearly empty once I visited beforehand throughout a weekday however this time I might see a number of vacationers because it’s a vacation. If the highway is free, it’s possible you’ll step out of the automobile to benefit from the views of Rishikesh & Ganges, like beneath:
In the meantime, you too can take a look on the the world well-known “Ananda within the Himalayas” simply earlier than heading to Westin.
I’ve availed the airport transfers by way of Axis/BOB concierge companies and it was good. For those who don’t have that choice, it’s possible you’ll select one from “EVcityride”, a taxi service in Dehradun.
Rain & Landslides
For those who’re visiting the resort in the course of the wet season (June-Aug) then you ought to be conscious of the landslides. You possibly can verify information for any main rainfall and in that case name up resort to verify if the highway is evident.
My first journey was per week after the main information on heavy rainfall, however fortuitously all landslides have been eliminated by the point I used to be travelling.
However my latest journey was completely different. Rishikesh recorded a highest rainfall within the nation and I travelled simply the subsequent day. So I might see at-least 20 main landslides alongside the best way however highway was fortuitously cleared for car motion.
Verify-in
There was a pre-checkin formality over electronic mail/name identical to most different premium properties in Asia. So all particulars/requests have been shared prior.
I used to be rapidly taken to the room for a in-room check-in, most likely as a result of the resort was on much less occupancy, in any other case a fast check-in within the stunning foyer could be accomplished.
The Room
The room is spacious with a balcony. For those who’re questioning, the rooms positioned on ninth degree (amongst others) have superb views. Right here’s a fast have a look at the room and the wonderful views.
What shocked me was that the resort didn’t use the same old branded rest room fittings like these from Cera/Grohe, which is often used even in Fairfield’s. And there was no correct deal with to drag the sliding doorways to balcony. So I really feel inside might have been higher however that’s very properly manageable.
The Property
The resort has all the things you would want and most significantly beautiful views from the balcony or pool space.
You’ll have a 180 diploma view of the planes in entrance of you, which incorporates Rishikesh metropolis & Ganges on the left, dense forest within the centre, airport on the proper and Dehradun metropolis on the rightmost.
Sunsets are often magical right here for sure. However that’s solely if you’re fortunate, in any other case the clouds would principally cowl you.
And for the primary time in my life I’m seeing fog/clouds that aren’t chilly (possibly it’s throughout winter). So for those who’re wanting on the foggy pictures and assume it’s going to be chill like in a hill-station, you’ll be disenchanted.
The temperature is sort of similar as you’ll have within the metropolis nevertheless it’s bit nice.
The Meals
Breakfast on the restaurant was tasty and distinctive. I used to be fairly shocked to see that they might make an excellent masal dosa with tasty sambhar and chutney, which is uncommon to seek out in 5 star resorts wherever in north India and even in south India for that matter.
Excessive Tea
You possibly can take pleasure in excessive tea on a regular basis, the placement of which retains altering every now and then. They serve tea/espresso together with massive assortment of snacks to select from.
It’s served with dwell music and it’s fairly an occasion that you just shouldn’t miss. Excessive Tea is nearly as good as a typical lounge expertise aside from drinks.
Govt Lounge
Whereas excessive tea is enough for many, the eligible Marriott Bonvoy elites will get entry to the manager lounge, often with 2Veg+2Non-Veg snacks and the drinks.
A few of their cocktail’s are superb and the “Coco Paradise” is a should attempt for those who’re round.
Fitness center, Yoga & recreation
The property has enough actions to maintain you engaged absolutely for a day or two.
Fitness center is open 24/7 and it’s spacious, very properly maintained with a coach out there in the course of the day. For those who’re into Yoga, it’s possible you’ll take the yoga periods out there throughout 3 slots in a day.
You might also discover different leisure actions like trekking, gentle archery, bowling, go to to Rishikesh, and so forth.
Wifi & Connectivity
Airtel Voice & 4G connectivity are poor in all places proper from the Dehradun airport to resort however when you’re on wifi on the resort, it’s possible you’ll benefit from the magic of “Airtel Wifi” which I’ve been having fun with within the hill-stations since previous 3 Yrs or so.
Web on the resort was constant all through my keep regardless of heavy rains. At about 15 Mbps common shopping pace, it felt nearly as good as house.
Playing cards to Use
For those who’re going for income reserving, it’s possible you’ll e book utilizing HDFC Tremendous premium playing cards for 10X rewards on HDFC Smartbuy.
To avoid wasting on incidentals, it’s possible you’ll use the Marriott Bonvoy vouchers that comes with Stan Chart Final bank card, amongst others. The resort began accepting them just lately and the redemption was fairly easy from my expertise.
For those who’re into Marriott Bonvoy factors redemption, it is best to contemplate getting the American Specific Platinum Cost Card that comes with 100K factors (often given on a difficult request).
For those who favor to have a free card as a substitute and have a number of time to build up factors for the keep, it’s possible you’ll go together with the Amex MRCC and even Amex Plat Journey relying in your wants.
Simply incase for those who’re brief on Amex MR factors, it’s possible you’ll as properly purchase them from Amex @ 40ps per level upto 10K factors per card.
Service
Count on a very good service in all places within the property, as private consideration is ideally an ordinary for the value tag that the property comes with.
For those who’re frequent to this weblog, it’s possible you’ll know that I by no means point out names as a result of I typically don’t keep in any single property for greater than 2-3 days and that’s not enough sufficient time to touch upon the consistency of workers.
However having spent per week right here, I assume beneath names will come helpful for you simply incase for those who’re round and wish to get issues accomplished.
- Entrance desk: Akum & Maria Hasan
- Restaurant: Sachin, Kamal, Parul & Ankita
Bottomline
General, it’s nothing lower than a heaven to have a keep on the Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas. But, contemplate visiting throughout weekdays or in the course of the off-season, as in any other case the resort could be fairly busy with weekend rush and marriage ceremony occasions each different day, seemingly starting October.
That mentioned, I assume we’ll must thank the property for constructing such an exquisite place within the Himalayas and to Marriott for specializing in new properties within the Indian hill-stations, that are uncommon to seek out and I’m fairly glad to see yet one more arising in Coorg.
Have you ever been to Westin, Himalayas? Be happy to share your experiences within the feedback beneath
