Escape to Rishikesh: Luxury NGS Homes Await!
Escape to Rishikesh: Luxury NGS Homes Await!
Escape to Rishikesh: Luxury NGS Homes Await! – A Review That Doesn't Suck (Hopefully)
Okay, so I just got back from a trip to Rishikesh, and I’m still sorting through the serenity (and the chai stains on my favorite shirt). This "Escape to Rishikesh: Luxury NGS Homes Await!" place? Yeah, I checked it out, and here’s the raw, unvarnished truth, warts and all, because let's be real, perfection is boring.
First Impressions: Getting There, Getting In (and the Dreaded Accessibility)
Right off the bat, let's talk logistics. Getting to Rishikesh is a bit of a trek, especially if you're flying in. The airport transfer offered by the hotel? Definitely a lifesaver. Saves you the chaos of haggling with rickshaws after a long flight. They do have a car park [free of charge], which is great if you decide to drive yourself.
Now, the elephant (pun intended?) in the room: Accessibility. They do list Facilities for disabled guests which is a good sign. However, I’d recommend contacting them directly to confirm specifics. The website isn't super clear on specifics. It mentions Elevator so that's a big plus. Be sure to ask about wheelchair access in the rooms, the pool area, and getting around the property in general. It's a must before you book. (I didn’t need it, but I'm keeping it real for those who do!)
Rooms: Luxury? Kinda…
Let's talk digs! The term "Luxury Homes" sets a high bar, right? My room, I’d call it comfortably appointed. It featured Air conditioning (thank the gods!), Free Wi-Fi, Complimentary Tea, and Free Bottled Water which is an absolute necessity in the Indian summer heat.
The Bed was comfy, the Linens clean, and I appreciated things like the Hair dryer and the Bathrobes (because, hey, who doesn't love a robe?). The Shower was decent, and the Toiletries were… well, they were provided! Now, the View from my room wasn’t the sweeping Himalayan panorama I'd dreamed of (it was more of a "looking out towards the trees" kind of a view), but hey, it’s Rishikesh, and you're here for the vibes. Also, the Soundproofing and Blackout Curtains were essential for a good night's sleep after a day of adventure. I saw that they had Non-smoking rooms.
Now for a real confession: I accidentally spilled chai all over the carpet. (Don't judge, the vibes were strong). The Daily housekeeping was a godsend. They were super polite and cleaned it up without a fuss. (That’s a huge point for Cleanliness and safety!).
Spa-tastic! (And Possibly a Little Over-Hyped)
Okay, the Spa… This is where things got interesting. They've got the whole shebang: Sauna, Steamroom, Pool with view. I hopped in the Swimming pool [outdoor]. It was… okay. The "view" was slightly obscured by trees, but honestly, the water was cool and refreshing, which was a welcome relief from the heat.
I opted for a Massage. It was… good. Not transcendent. Not life-altering. Just… good. Body scrub and Body wrap were also on offer, but I'm a simple soul. I did get a Foot bath, which was actually quite lovely after a day of river rafting.
Food Glorious Food (and the Occasional Over-Seasoning)
Food! Let's get serious. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast… They had options. The Breakfast [buffet] was better than most. I'm a big fan of Coffee/tea in restaurant, and it wasn't terrible. The Room service [24-hour] came in handy at odd hours.
They have Restaurants and Poolside bar. I tried it all! The Asian cuisine in restaurant was pretty decent. They have Vegetarian restaurant too. They also have a Snack bar and Coffee shop.
Here's the slightly less flattering truth: Some dishes were slightly over-spiced (my palate is more delicate than I'd like to admit). However, overall, the Food delivery was great. The A la carte in restaurant was worth it.
Things To Do (and Avoiding the Tourist Traps)
Rishikesh offers Things to do in spades. They've got you covered, with Concierge services.
The hotel itself doesn't directly offer river rafting or yoga classes, but their Concierge can help you arrange whatever your heart desires.
Safety First (Especially in a Pandemic, Ugh.)
Okay, so they’re trying. They take Cleanliness and safety seriously. Hand sanitizer everywhere, Staff trained in safety protocol. Rooms sanitized between stays. They're doing the right things, which, frankly, is a huge relief. They also use Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas. I saw they have Cashless payment service. Safety and security were solid. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property.
The Extras: Services and Conveniences
Here's where it gets interesting: They have Business facilities, with Meeting/banquet facilities and Meetings. Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage. You know, all the usual stuff to make life easier. There is Doorman and Front desk [24-hour].
They have Family/child friendly, but I didn't use the Babysitting service, they do have Kids facilities.
My Random, Rambling, and (Hopefully) Helpful Takeaways:
- The Good: Clean. Generally comfortable. Lots of options for food. Helpful staff. Good for a chill escape.
- The "Meh": The "luxury" part is a bit of a stretch. Some things could be better: Spa services, spice levels, etc.
- The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a chill, comfortable base camp for exploring Rishikesh, then Escape to Rishikesh is definitely worth considering… but it’s not exactly the Four Seasons.
Final Thoughts & A Persuasive (and hopefully slightly funny) Offer!
Look, Rishikesh is magical. It's a place where you can find yourself, lose yourself (literally, in a river), and eat way too much delicious, spicy food.
Here’s the deal:
Book your stay at Escape to Rishikesh in the next WEEK using the code "RISHIKEAH" and get a FREE upgrade to a room with a slightly better view (and a free chai! -- promise no stains! )!
Plus they will throw in a 10% discount on any spa treatment (I recommend the foot bath, just sayin’).
Why? Because you deserve a break. Because you need some time away from the chaos. And because, let's be honest, you deserve to escape. So book it. Do it now. Your weary soul (and your chai-stained shirt) will thank you.
Kuala Lumpur's INSANE Infinity Pool: Heaven on Earth Views!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're not just visiting Rishikesh, we're going to live it, even if it means accidentally ordering yak butter tea at 3 AM and regretting every single, creamy, salty sip. This is my travel diary, my chaotic, beautiful, and probably slightly smelly Rishikesh adventure at NGS Homes.
NGS Homes Rishikesh: A Spiritual (and Potentially Stomach-Grumbling) Pilgrimage - My Absolutely Unfiltered Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival, Reality, and the River's Roar
- Morning (or what passes for it after that red-eye!): Landed in Delhi. Gods, the Delhi airport is a sensory overload. Taxi driver (bless his heart) drove like a caffeinated squirrel, navigating the chaos with the grace of a seasoned…well, a seasoned Delhi taxi driver. Reached Rishikesh, a 6-hour drive, a rollercoaster - the roads are not for the faint of heart. Arrived at NGS Homes. Honestly? A little underwhelmed at first glance. Pictures lied! But the clean, calming vibes? Totally worth it. Settled in, stared at the mountains for a good half hour and felt…nothing. Just the fatigue of travel. Okay, so the spiritual awakening hasn't hit yet. Still, clean rooms!
- Afternoon: (Mostly focused on food, as always): Lunch: The first, glorious, buttery bite of dal makhani. Found a little local place near Hanuman Chowk that was SO good. Seriously, I could have licked the plate. Ate far too quickly, of course.
- Evening: Ganga Aarti. The Emotional Vomit…in a Good Way: Wandered down to the ghats for the Ganga Aarti. Pictures cannot prepare you. The mass of people, the chanting, the smell of incense, the sheer, pulsating energy of it all… I was overwhelmed. Tears (happy, I think?) started streaming down my face. Didn't know what was happening. It was like my soul was getting a good yell. Afterwards, grabbed some chai off a street vendor. Burned my tongue, but didn't care. Needed it. Probably need therapy after.
- Imperfection of the Day: Got completely lost trying to find a decent shop to buy water. Ended up asking directions from a cow. True story. The cow just looked at me like I was an idiot. Cows are judgmental, you guys.
Day 2: Yoga, Waterfall Chasing, and a Panic Attack (Maybe)
- Morning: Yoga (Or the Art of Humiliating Myself): Dragged myself out of bed for a yoga class at NGS Homes. I'm not flexible. I'm like a rusty tin can. The instructor, a beautiful, serene woman named Priya, was way too kind. I sweated, I wobbled, I probably looked like a confused newborn calf trying to stand up. Had an emotional breakdown in pigeon pose. Seriously, what is with yoga and making me weep?
- Afternoon: Waterfall…and a Realization: Hired a scooter (terrifying, but exhilarating) with the intention of exploring the surrounding waterfalls. Started with Neergarh Waterfall. The climb down… was not for the uncoordinated. Scrambling over rocks, heart pounding. The waterfall? Stunning. Pure, clear, and it felt like a world away from the chaos of the city.
- The (Slightly Dramatic) Descent: On the way back, I had a moment. A major doubt. The anxiety of being so far from…everything. The thoughts came rushing in. Panic. Took some deep breaths. Made it back.
- Evening: Food! And a bit more of that spiritual business: Found a small, local restaurant for dinner and ordered what I thought was a potato dish, but had an abundance of spices. Tears streamed down my face but I loved it. Went back to Ganga Aarti. Felt okay. Felt like it was all going to be okay.
Day 3: Rafting, Recklessness, and Regret (Possibly in that Order)
- Morning: White Water Rafting – "This is Totally Safe!" (Famous Last Words): Went white water rafting on the Ganges. The guide – a young, energetic guy named Rohan, with what I suspect was a barely-contained need for adrenaline – assured us it was "totally safe." The rapids were exhilarating. Scary. Awesome. Wet. Nearly fell out the boat.
- Afternoon: The Long Walk Back: The rafting ended. The guides dropped us off. We walked back. The heat. The exhaustion. The sun. The water. No, really, the relentless onslaught of the sun. My skin screamed.
- Evening: Reflection and (More) Chai: Sat on the balcony and just stared at the river. It was a beautiful sight. Watched the sunset. The peace that settled over me was surreal. But the yak butter tea at 3 am, I swear, was a fever dream.
Day 4: Exploring, Eating, and a Promise to Return
- Morning: Found a lovely cafe. Ordered a coffee. Relaxation. Life.
- Afternoon: Explored a local market. Bought some saris. Went to a shop and tried on 34 different skirts. The shopkeeper was unfazed by my constant indecision.
- Evening: Packed up. Ate a final, glorious thali. Said goodbye to NGS Homes, which wasn't just a place to lay my head, but a place to start something in myself. I swear I will be back.
Un-Glossed Observations:
- The Smell: Incense, exhaust fumes, and the faint, earthy scent of the river. It's intoxicating. And sometimes, a little…ripe.
- Street Dogs: Everywhere. Friendly, mostly. Gave one a biscuit. Now think maybe I should have given two.
- The Locals: Kindest people I've ever met. Always smiling, always helpful.
- Spiritual Awakening Meter: Still fluctuating. Pretty sure I'm more confused than enlightened, but that's okay.
Final Thoughts (Or, What Did I Even Learn?):
Rishikesh is a mess. It's beautiful. It's challenging. It's overwhelming. It will push you. It will humble you. It will make you question everything, and it will make you fall head over heels in love. If you're looking for a perfect vacation, stay home. But if you're looking to get a little lost, a little found, and a whole lot changed? Come to Rishikesh. And bring a strong stomach, a sense of adventure, and maybe a really good pack of wet wipes. You'll need them.
Yulin's BEST Gamer Pad: Arcade Stick, HUGE Screen, & Kohler Shower! (Near Children's Hospital)
So, Rishikesh, huh? Isn't that all… spiritual and stuff? Will I be forced to eat kale smoothies every day?
Okay, let's get this out of the way. YES, Rishikesh is spiritual. It's practically dripping with it. You'll trip over a meditating guru on your way to the veggie burger joint. But forced kale smoothies? Absolutely not! (Thank GOD.) NGS Homes, bless their cotton socks, understand that even saints need a decent cup of coffee (and maybe a sneaky samosa). You *can* immerse yourself in the yoga and meditation, but trust me, the town is also surprisingly fun-loving. Found myself wandering into a live music session at a cafe last trip, singing off-key along with a bunch of backpackers – it was glorious chaos. My point? You choose the level of 'spiritual.' You're not signing up for a cult. Unless... are there free cookies?
"Luxury NGS Homes"... what exactly does "luxury" *mean* in Rishikesh? Does it mean hot water that actually *works*? I had a *very* rough experience somewhere else.
Okay, this is where I get REAL. "Luxury" in India, even in a supposedly upscale place, can be... subjective. However, NGS Homes, from what I've gathered (and from the desperate pleas of my friends who've stayed there), *does* mean reliable hot water. Which alone is worth its weight in gold after a chilly dip in the Ganges. It means decent Wi-Fi (crucial for Instagramming those perfect sunset pics, obviously). It means air conditioning that doesn't sound like a dying walrus. I'm not going to lie, I haven't *personally* stayed there, but the pictures... they're tempting. And I'm *fairly* sure they have towels. They *better* have towels.
What kind of activities are available? Am I just stuck doing downward dog all day? Because my back is, let's be honest, a disaster zone.
Down dog all day? Nope! Thank the stars! Rishikesh is a playground. White water rafting? Absolutely. Trekking? You betcha. There's this one hike to a waterfall that will absolutely wreck your legs, but the view at the top... pure gold. Think of the Insta-worthy photos! And you can always find a yoga class that fits your, ahem, *flexibility level*. (Believe me, I've looked.) You can meditate (or pretend to meditate, I'm not judging), visit the Beatles Ashram (totally worth it for the graffiti alone), and generally explore the hell out of the place. The key is to *choose* what you want to do. Don't let anyone pressure you. Also, food tours. Seriously, *food tours*. Find them and devour.
Okay, but what about the *vibe*? Is it full of annoying influencers trying to find themselves? Because UGH.
Ugh, I feel you. The influencer thing is EVERYWHERE, but honestly, Rishikesh is big enough to find your own corner. There will be people with perfect teeth and perfect Instagram feeds and yoga pants that cost more than my rent – but also genuine, interesting humans. You'll find artists, musicians, travelers, and people just looking for a bit of peace. My advice? Gravitate toward the latter. Look for the people with messy buns and a sparkle in their eye instead of the ones taking a million selfies. Honestly, I've met some INCREDIBLE people there. People you'd actually *want* to share a chai with. And yes, you’ll see the occasional annoying influencer… Just roll your eyes, and get back to enjoying your samosa.
Can I bring my dog? Because he gets separation anxiety if I'm gone too long. He’s a pampered, tiny chihuahua.
This is a HUGE ONE. I don't KNOW FOR SURE if NGS is pet-friendly, but you NEED to ASK. Call them, email them, harass them until you get a straight answer. I mean, who wouldn't want a tiny, pampered chihuahua wandering around their luxury getaway? Okay, maybe some people. But my point is, check! Check the pet policy of the place. Look, I know, leaving your furry friend can be awful. And Rishikesh is a really dog-friendly place in general, it's a big open question. If your dog is happy and well-behaved, well... hopefully they are as accommodating as possible. It's an important question.
What's the *worst* part about staying in Rishikesh/a place like NGS Homes? What are the *real* drawbacks?
Okay, honesty time. The drawbacks? Well, let's see…
- You *might* get the Delhi Belly. Pack your anti-diarrheal medication. Just do it. Trust me.
- You may find the traffic frustrating. It's India, what do you expect?
- You *might* encounter power outages. It's India, again!
- The sheer amount of beauty can be overwhelming! I spent the first 3 days crying from pure aesthetic overload. (Okay, maybe that's just me…)
- The potential for over-spiritualization! You are allowed to like watching Netflix, it's ok!
How do I actually BOOK this place? Because the website is making my brain hurt. Give me the skinny.
Okay, okay, I get it. Websites can be a nightmare. Assuming you want to book a place? Do the following:
- Go to their WEBSITE (obviously).
- Check their reservation system (if they have one)
- Email them (I'd recommend this, it's more personal and you will usually get a quicker answer.)
- If everything else fails, hit up Booking.com or some other travel site. Just do your research and *make sure* you know what you're getting.
Let's get real. Is it really a good place to go with your partner? Or is it a place more suited for a solo journey?
Okay, this one depends entirely on your partner, and your relationship. Rishikesh is adaptable. It can be an incredibly romantic place. Imagine: sunsets over the Ganges, hand-in-hand walks, shared yoga… *swoon*. *But* it can also be a source of tension if you and your partner have differentStay Mapped
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