What I recommend
One of my favourite places to stay in India! A quiet place in a bustling city, staying in Arya Niwas is my way of pampering myself when in Jaipur. The rooms are meticulously clean and the staff are genuinely efficient, if a bit gruff. The restaurant serves home-cooked delicious food which is perfect at the end of a tiring day. You can sit out in the verandah or on the lawn and chill. The in-house shop has souvenirs, books and silver jewellery at reasonable prices.
I have only stayed here once and I must remedy that. Set in the Golden Fort in Jaisalmer, it can get a tad noisy during the day. The six rooms are cosy with fabulous views and maintained perfectly. The roof top restaurant is the place to spend the day, watching people who come in through the main fort gates. The staff multi-task and are happy to help with most requests. The food is awesome – I hope trudging up and down those steep steps made up for my overeating!
When I am watching dolphins while having breakfast at Chera Rocks, I wonder at how I ended up with such good karma. Set at the bottom of a small cliff, this is the perfect place to do nothing. Maybe walk along the empty beach or swim in the water to work off all the excellent food served at each meal. Other than that, it is hard to do much else than gaze at the changing colours of the sea. If you must, go buy towels and bed linen at the White Mall or visit Parasinikadavu or be part of a Theyyam performance. If you absolutely must!
The name translates as Sunset on the border. If that doesn’t evoke the romantic vibes of Hodka, a visit there certainly will have you returning often! Shaam-e-sarhad is where I learnt about Responsible Tourism and its management committee are my gurus. It is with pride that I feature them on my website. The way they have taken on board community issues as well as environmental ones is unique in India. Hospitality is a way of life in this arid and colourful corner of India. And the food… Visiting Hodka in Kutch is an absolute must to understand the immense variety that this country has to offer.
Goa is so much more that sun, sand, sea and cheap alcohol! To understand what I am saying come and spend a couple of days in a village to the east of the highway. Olaulim, or Oh-lovely as its residents laughingly call it, is a small peaceful village that will completely charm you. And the Backyards is the perfect place to enjoy it from. The cottages are simple and comfortable, spread out sufficiently to lose yourself. You have a choice of the pool or the backwaters to paddle in. Or go cycling around. Or chill at the Cafe. Absorb what “susegad” is and how good it is for your body and soul.
A brief overnight stay and this resort makes it to my page. Impeccable service and super food are the way to my heart. And genuine hospitality – not the gushing with big smiles, but what comes from the heart. I need to go back here.