Almora's Hidden Gem: Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Almora's Hidden Gem: Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!
Almora's Secret Sanctuary: My Love Affair (and a Few Gripes) with Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the (chai) on my love/hate, utterly unforgettable experience at Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant in Almora. They call it a hidden gem, and honey, they ain't lying. This place feels like stumbling into a secret society, perched high above the vibrant chaos of Almora, promising luxury and… well, let's just say it delivers, with a few quirky twists along the way.
Accessibility - Bless Their Hearts (Mostly)
Okay, let's get this out of the way upfront, because I'm a stickler for this stuff. While they mention facilities for disabled guests, and have an elevator, the "accessible" label feels a little… optimistic. The building's architectural quirks (charming, yes, but also a bit of a maze) and the sometimes-uneven terrain outside mean this is not exactly a breeze for everyone. I'm giving them a good-ish, because they genuinely try. And hey, the staff is super helpful, which counts for a lot. More on that later.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Hiccup)
My first impression? Whoa. The restaurant, or should I say, restaurants (plural, because choices are a beautiful thing!), are stunning. Think panoramic views, warm lighting, and a serious commitment to deliciousness.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking:
- The Asian breakfast was a real winner every morning. I'm addicted.
- They offer a Western breakfast too, for those who like that (I tried it once, just to be polite, and it was good, just…you know, not the Asian good.)
- A la carte in the restaurant, Buffet in the restaurant, and a Vegetarian restaurant! This is the good life.
- I'm a sucker for Happy Hour, and they offered it every evening, which was a nice touch, after all the trekking and exploring around Almora. Their cocktails were spot on!
- The Poolside bar was a dream. Sipping cocktails while looking out at the Himalayas? Yes, please!
- The Coffee/tea in the restaurant, and sometimes the Coffee shop had me covered.
- Desserts in the restaurant were so sinful, but I had to! Especially the Chocolate Fudge Cake!
- The Asian cuisine in the restaurant I can't talk about enough!
- International cuisine in the restaurant was all over the place!
- Snack bar was everything!
- They had a Bottle of Water next to the bed, as usual.
- The Salad in the restaurant was always fresh.
- They offered Room service [24-hour].
- They had Soup in the restaurant when I was feeling down the hill.
- They had Breakfast service.
They have a Bar that I did use, they offered Alternative meal arrangement when I was feeling down the throat, so that counts. They will offer a Breakfast [buffet].
The food itself? Mostly divine. The Asian cuisine was authentic and bursting with flavor. The buffet breakfast… chef's kiss. But, (there's always a but, isn't there?) one night, the a la carte was a bit… off. My soup was lukewarm, and the lamb was a tad tough. Okay, maybe more than a tad. I mentioned it to a waiter, and they were apologetic (and quick to offer a replacement), but the damage was done, really. It felt like someone got a little ambitious in the kitchen that night. But hey, everyone has an off day, right? And the next day's breakfast more than made up for it!
Relaxation Station: Where Dreams are Made (and Massages Are Given)
Let's talk about the good stuff now. The spa. Oh, the spa.
- Body scrub: This was heavenly, exfoliating from head to toe.
- Body wrap: The wrap was so relaxing, and a special massage
- Fitness center/Gym/fitness: Well equipped, but it could have been better.
- Pool with view: The swimming pool with the view was unreal.
- Sauna: Always good to have.
- Spa: The overall spa experience was incredible.
- Steamroom All of the above!
My massage. Oh, sweet, beautiful massage. Picture this: I'd spent the day hiking, my muscles screaming in protest. I stumbled into the spa, feeling like a crumpled paper bag. The masseuse, a tiny woman with hands of steel, worked her magic. I emerged feeling brand new. Seriously. This was one of those experiences that makes you question every life choice that doesn't involve regular massages. The Spa/sauna experience was superb, too.
The outdoor Swimming pool [outdoor] gives a breathtaking view, but I wasn't able to swim because of weather.
There's also a Foot bath available. For the record, all the ways to relax were a big win. I was totally rejuvenated!
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe (mostly)
They take hygiene seriously, which is a huge relief these days. They've got those anti-viral cleaning products, and they're slathering them everywhere.
- Cleanliness and safety:
- They used Anti-viral cleaning products.
- They provided Hand sanitizer.
- They had Hot water linen and laundry washing.
- They have Hygiene certification.
- The kitchen was Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
- The staff was Staff trained in safety protocol.
- They use Sterilizing equipment.
- They provided First aid kit, just in case.
- They had Doctor/nurse on call.
- The Rooms sanitized between stays.
- Daily disinfection in common areas, and so on.
- They had Cashless payment service which I liked.
- Individually-wrapped food options for the win.
- Also had Physical distancing of at least 1 meter.
- The Professional-grade sanitizing services were used.
- The Safe dining setup was there.
- Room sanitization opt-out available.
- The Shared stationery removed.
- CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property.
- Also, Security [24-hour].
- Fire extinguisher.
- Smoke alarms.
- Smoke detectors.
- Safety/security feature.
They're really trying to make you feel safe. I appreciated the Sanitizing equipment, and the First aid kit, too. The physical distancing of at least 1 meter made everything okay. I got to sleep easy.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Touches that Matter
The staff make this place. Seriously. They're incredibly helpful. I had a problem with my internet and they fixed it immediately!
- Services and conveniences:
- They had Air conditioning in public area.
- They provided Audio-visual equipment for special events.
- They had Business facilities such as Meetings, Seminar and Xerox/fax in business center.
- Also Cash withdrawal for your needs.
- Concierge 24/7.
- They offered Contactless check-in/out.
- There was a Convenience store.
- The provided Currency exchange.
- Daily housekeeping was there.
- They had Doorman there 24/7.
- They offered Dry cleaning and Ironing service.
- Also Elevator.
- The had Facilities for disabled guests.
- Food delivery was awesome!
- They have Gift/souvenir shop, just in case.
- They can offer Indoor venue for special events.
- Invoice provided.
- They offer Laundry service.
- They have Luggage storage.
- Also On-site event hosting.
- Meeting/banquet facilities were there.
- They can provide Outdoor venue for special events.
- They had Projector/LED display.
- Safety deposit boxes.
- Shrine.
- Smoking area.
- Terrace.
- Wi-Fi for special events.
Room Details: A Cozy Retreat (mostly)
The rooms are lovely. They offer:
- **
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, perfectly-curated travelogue. This is the raw, unfiltered, potentially caffeinated (because Almora needs a LOT of caffeine) experience of trying to wrangle a schedule while navigating the Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant in Almora. Here we go…
Almora: A Love-Hate Relationship (Mostly Love, Though)
Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant Itinerary: Operation "Peak Procrastination"
Day 1: Arrival and Altitude Adjustment (and Maybe a Slight Panic)
- 14:00 - Arrival at Hotel Shikhar. Yikes, the drive up was…intense. Let's just say the local driver was operating on a different level of "relaxed" than I am used to. My knuckles are still white, gripping an imaginary steering wheel. The hotel itself? Charming, in a slightly crumbling-but-trying-its-best kind of way. (Translation: It's got character. And maybe some questionable plumbing). The view, though? HOLY MOLY. Worth the near-death experience.
- 14:30 - Check-in Chaos. Okay, "chaos" is a strong word. More like a gentle shuffle. The front desk guy (who I suspect is also the bellhop, the cook's assistant, and the resident philosopher) seems to be running on "Indian Standard Time," which means things happen…eventually. Finally got a key. Now, to conquer the stairs to my room! (Altitude alert: I regret skipping cardio this year).
- 15:00 - Room Inspection. The room is…basic. But the bed looks inviting, and the view from the balcony is EVERYTHING. Actually, scratch that. The "balcony" is more like a slab of concrete with a slightly flimsy railing. Safety first! (But oh that view…)
- 15:30 - Nap (Prioritized). Altitude, exhaustion, and the general overwhelming-ness of being in a new place = immediate nap. I think I dreamt of a yak. Don't ask.
- 17:00 - Exploration Attempt One: Stumbling around trying to find the restaurant, it turns out it's literally the same space as the reception area. Decided to take it slow, a bit overwhelmed.
- 18:00 - Dinner at Hotel Shikhar Restaurant. Let's do a deep dive into the food at their Restaurant which actually doubles as the reception area. This is like, a truly authentic experience: a table set with a slightly chipped plate, a water-stained menu, and the warm company of… well, anyone who happens to be in the lobby. But you know what? The food, when it arrived after a leisurely wait, was unexpectedly divine. The Dal Makhani was rich and creamy, the naan was fluffy, and the garlic in dishes was just, perfect.
- 19:30 - Sunset gawking from the balcony (which is now deemed "safe," kind of). The sky exploded with color. Pink, orange, purple… I swear, for a moment, I felt like I was breathing in pure magic. This, right here, is why I travel. And why I forgive the slightly-flaky paint on the railing.
- 20:30 - Attempting to order Room service (which is nonexistent, apparently). Apparently the restaurant closes at 9 pm? Guess I'm going to bed hungry.
- 21:00 - Lights out. (Praying the yak stays in my dreams).
Day 2: Almora's Charm and My Blistering Feet
- 07:00 - Sunrise Wake-up call (Courtesy of the Mountains and My Insomnia). The sun peeking over the Himalayas! So pretty I had to take a picture… but that did not make me feel any less tired.
- 07:30 - The "Breakfast" Debacle (Hotel Shikhar Restaurant). Breakfast is included, supposedly. I asked for coffee and was met with a blank stare. Turns out, the phrase “strong coffee” is apparently interpreted differently in Almora. Settled for a lukewarm, vaguely coffee-flavored liquid, and a plate of what I think was paratha. Okay, okay, not terrible. Just… unique. Another philosophical conversation with the guy from the front desk (who now acts as the server) about the meaning of life. He seemed to know more about it than I do, frankly.
- 09:00 - Almora City Exploration – Part 1: The Bazaar. The noise! The colors! The smells of spices! It's a sensory overload in the best possible way. I got completely lost within five minutes. Bought a ridiculously oversized hat that's probably going to make me look like a tourist. Worth it.
- 11:00 - My Feet are Killing Me. This is why I should have trained more before this trip.
- 11:30 - Exploration Continued I met a friendly shopkeeper who offered me some tea and told me about local folklore. This place is alive and the people are very friendly.
- 12:30 - Lunch: Small Restaurant in the city. It was a local delicacy and amazing. I took pictures but already forgotten what I ate.
- 14:00 - Back to the hotel. Nap time! The afternoon sunlight looked beautiful. Sleeping right away.
- 15:00 - Exploration: The local temple. The view was amazing but my legs hurt too much to go up further.
- 17:00 - Another Dinner at Hotel Shikhar: The dal makhana was as good as it was the previous night, maybe even better.
Day 3: The Mountain's Whisper and Goodbye (For Now)
- 06:00 - Early Morning (and the realization that I'm getting used to the altitude). Another glorious sunrise. The air is crisp, the mountains are majestic, and I actually feel…awake. (Partially thanks to the coffee-ish concoction).
- 07:00 - Breakfast: Last Chance for Paratha (And Conversation). Today, I'm saying goodbye to the front desk guy, the resident philosopher, and the cook's assistant. He smiles, which I can understand.
- 08:00 - Check Out: Smooth and easy (at least for Almora standards), I'm glad I can speak a bit of Hindi so I wasn't confused.
- 8:30 - The Last Glimpse. Standing outside the hotel. Taking one last look at those mountains. This place has gotten under my skin.
- 10:00 - The long drive back. I had a good trip! I would recommend going to Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant.
Notes:
- Internet: Spotty at best. Embrace the digital detox!
- Food: Be prepared to be patient and open to new experiences. The food is delicious, but it's not always Michelin-star presentation. Embrace the authentic.
- The People: The kindness of the locals makes this trip unforgettable. Talk to everyone!
- Overall: Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant in Almora is not perfect. It's not polished or luxurious. But it's real. It's raw. It's an experience. And I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'll be back. Maybe.
- Final Thought: I'm going to need a vacation… from my vacation.
Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant: FAQ – Because Let's Face It, You're Probably Curious (and Maybe a Little Skeptical)
So, is Hotel Shikhar *really* as amazing as the website makes it sound?
Okay, let's be real. Websites are like that Instagram filter your friend uses – they're designed to make things look *better*. But in Shikhar's case? Mostly, yeah. It's pretty darn close. I mean, the views? They'll knock your socks off. Trust me. I've seen a panoramic vista or two in my time, but this… this is different. It's the kind of view that makes you want to chuck your phone in the snow and just *breathe*. (Although, maybe don't do that. Signal can be spotty.)
The rooms are comfy, the staff are genuinely friendly (not that fake hotel-friendly), and the food… oh, the food. Speaking of which...
What's the deal with the "Unforgettable Luxury" tagline? Does it live up to the hype or are we talking "luxury" like a slightly fancier hostel?
Okay, "luxury" is subjective. It's not the Burj Khalifa. You're not getting a private butler refilling your artisanal water. But it IS truly a cut above. The beds are unbelievably comfortable (I legit wanted to smuggle a mattress out of the room), the bathrooms are clean and well-appointed (important!), and the overall vibe is... well, it's restful. I can't stress how much you need this after a day of trekking, or dealing with the dusty roads of Alomra. It's not "stuffy" luxury, it's "come-as-you-are, unwind-and-breathe" luxury. Does that make sense? Probably not, but trust me, it feels good.
Are the views from *every* room incredible? Or do I need to beg for a specific one?
Okay, here's the deal: they *try* to give everyone a good view. But let's be real, those mountain views aren't *always* playing ball. Some rooms are just… better. Request a room facing the north, towards the mountains. I'd recommend getting one with a balcony, because trust me, nothing beats sitting out there with a cup of chai and watching the sunrise. Seriously, the sunrise is worth sacrificing sleep for. The first time I saw it? I actually teared up. It was just… perfect. (And yes, I'm a sap. Don't judge.) Ask if you can get one with those insane views. Politeness goes a long way, even if you have to wait longer.
Is there Wi-Fi? Because, let's be honest, I need my Instagram fix.
Yes, there is Wi-Fi. It works. Mostly. It's not lightning-fast, but enough to upload your *amazing* mountain photos and let everyone back home know you're having the time of your life. Okay, I'll admit it, I was stressed without Wifi for some time. Especially after I ordered food and the internet was down. BUT, listen to me, sometimes the slow pace of the internet and the area of Almora is beautiful. You can't always stay connected, and maybe it is important to not. You may miss so much beauty. The internet worked eventually, so I didn't need to panic!
Okay, the food. Tell me about the food! Is it just standard "hotel food"? Or are we talking something special?
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! The food is *phenomenal*. Forget "hotel food." We're talking seriously good, home-cooked, utterly delicious food. I’m not a big foodie; I eat because I have to. But the food at Shikhar? I wanted to eat *everything*. They have a really diverse menu. Momos, thalis, Continental cuisine. Get this – they even have wood-fired pizzas! (Pizza in the Himalayas! Mind. Blown.) The local cuisine? Don't even get me started. They make the best *aloo ke gutke* I've ever tasted. Seriously, I could eat that every single day.
And the breakfast buffet? They had these *parathas* that were so fluffy and perfect, I almost forgot to go sightseeing. (Almost.) I was worried I'd gain back every pound from the trek. (Didn't happen, thankfully.) One thing: they're often busy. The dining room gets packed. It's worth it. Make a reservation, or be prepared to wait (which is also totally fine, because the view from the waiting area is still incredible. And the staff is always friendly, even when they're slammed.)
What if I have dietary restrictions? Will they accommodate me?
Yes! They're pretty good about accommodating various dietary needs – vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free (though you might want to clarify the level of "gluten-free" required). Just let them know in advance, or when you order. They're really helpful and will go out of their way to make sure everyone is happy. I'm not vegetarian, but I did eat some amazing vegetarian dishes, and I'm sure if you have to stick to a certain diet, you'll be just fine.
How easy is it to get to Hotel Shikhar from Almora city or from the airport?
The location? It's a bit out of the main town, which is part of the charm. Which also means you'll probably need a driver or a taxi. It's not something you'd walk. You'll have to make some plans ahead of time. But it's worth it! Because the roads are a bit windy and the hills are steep, which makes the scenic views extra special when you arrive.
From the city? A taxi is easy to find. They are always parked near the main attractions. From the airport? A bit harder – it's a fair distance and you'll likely need to book a private transfer. However, the hotel staff can help you arrange something. I'd suggest booking a car in advance, honestly. It’ll save stress.
Is it family-friendly? Can I bring my hyperactive toddler?
Yes. The hotel is generally family-Green Island Diving Paradise: Diveholix Homestay's Corn-Shaped Haven!
Post a Comment for "Almora's Hidden Gem: Hotel Shikhar & Restaurant - Unforgettable Luxury Awaits!"