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Hotel Reviews

I've been reviewing hotels in India now for twenty two years. I get frustrated by how five star properties can get simple things wrong, I am more forgiving with simple properties where the genuine, home-grown hospitality far outways any shortcomings they may have in terms of 'standard' classifications. My reviews don't list numbers of rooms and amenities, quite frankly, I don't care about those; a mini bar or iron in the room does not, in my opinion, add to the experience of the property or the destination. I try to capture the essence of my stay, the experiences, yes the service and the food, but there is no format to my reviews. They are moments captured, the ambance and experiences that will inspire you and that you can look forward to.

Sula Wine – Sustainability and Stays

Think Nashik 20 or even 10 yrs ago, and people mentioned temples, pilgrimages & the Kumbh Mela. But today, the first word from most people’s lips is ‘wine.’ This is thanks to Rajeev Samant who, having returned from California, was having trouble sourcing good quality, affordable wine in India. Quickly realising that if this situation…

Reflections on a Perfect Stay, Sarai at Toria

Take a wildlife biologist, author, film maker and conservationist and a wildlife photographer, film maker & writer, add specialist knowledge of Panna National Park (since 1995) a location adjacent to the Ken River, and an idea which initially began as a community project & you know it’s going to be good. Good is in fact,…

Changing the narrative at The Indian Summer House.

Changing The Narrative. I stayed recently at the rather fabulous Indian  Summer House in Kerala. The owner happened to be out of station and so we had a video call. I think my opening gambit was, “Well you don’t need me to tell you how fabulous this is.” His reply, “Thank you, I have always…

Three hotels in Gujarat which aren’t quite what you’d expect.

Think of Gujarat and what comes to mind? The first thing every inbound agent will say is that you can’t drink, not strictly true but yes, it can be off-putting to those who enjoy a drink or two with dinner. But once that hurdle has been overcome, what are the words that spring to mind…

Snapshots, Discovering India Differently, Kota, who knew?

The giant orb of a setting sun guided us down river, casting magical lights on the rippled water as, surrounded by the stark cliffs, we spotted nilgai, owls, vultures, storks and crocodiles. This was our spectacular introduction to Kota, Rajasthan, why had no one mentioned this to me before? In a world of over tourism,…

Snapshots: A stay at Walterre and Discoveries around Dehradun

Woken by the sound of rain thundering down on the tin roof of the charming English meets India-style, country cottage. Ventured onto the terrace where we sat in comfort, under the shelter and sipped on g&ts whilst witnessing the angry skies thunder around us and the brilliance of the lightening showcasing the surrounding hills, standing…

Glamping With Elephants, Jaipur

The faint warmth of the sun embraces my back as it starts to rise over the hill, the incessant babble of the seven sisters earning their name of jungle babblers in a nearby tree, their fierce chatter drowning out the other birds confidently flitting around close by. Breakfast served to the accompaniment of the crunch…