Escape to Paradise: Shivalika Resort, Bhuj's Hidden Gem
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the dusty, delightful, and potentially slightly chaotic world of the Shivalika Resort in Bhuj. Forget pristine travel brochures – we're getting real. This is a review for the weary traveler, the slightly-too-stressed-out-to-plan-properly vacationer, and anyone who just wants a damn good escape (pun absolutely intended).
Escape to Paradise: Shivalika Resort, Bhuj - The Honest Truth (and a Whole Lotta Feelings)
Let's be brutally honest right from the bat: Bhuj isn't exactly known for its resorts. It's known for its history, its fabric, and its… well, let's just say the expectations might need a little dusting off. But Shivalika? Shivalika is trying. And in a world of cookie-cutter hotels, trying is sometimes enough.
Accessibility: The Lay of the Land (and the Lifts)
Okay, let's get the practical stuff out of the way first. Accessibility is… evolving. They do have an elevator, bless their hearts, and that’s HUGE in my book. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, but the specifics are a little murky. Call ahead. If you REALLY need top-notch accessibility, double-check and manage your expectations. Bhuj, in general, isn't exactly the most wheelchair-friendly city.
The Internet Jungle (and the Free Wi-Fi!)
Alright, internet. My God. We all know how important it is. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YES! Internet access - LAN. Okay, so maybe you still prefer hard-wired connection, that's a good alternative for your security and speed. Internet, Internet [LAN], Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas are all covered. Expect intermittent hiccups, especially if you're Zoom-bombing your boss from the terrace. But generally, for posting those Instagram pictures of you avoiding work, it's adequate.
Cleanliness and Safety: Did They Survive the Rona?
This is where I get a little calmer, thank god. Cleanliness and safety. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer everywhere, and Staff trained in safety protocol. They're taking it seriously! Rooms sanitized between stays. Room sanitization opt-out available. They even have Sterilizing equipment! Honestly, after everything we’ve been through, this is massively reassuring. Also, love the Individually-wrapped food options, Safe dining setup.
The Food (And My Stomach's Thoughts)
Okay, confession time: a good meal can make or break a vacation for me. So, how was it? Well, there's a restaurant – a couple, actually. Several Restaurants, in fact. Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, and Western cuisine in restaurant. The Breakfast [buffet] is… well, it’s a buffet. I’ve seen better… and worse. Decent selection, though. Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, and Breakfast in room are available if you need a lie-in. Poolside bar good for some simple bites and drinks. Note from me: the happy hour is a must. I mean, happy hour practically makes up for bad food, doesn’t it?
One random thing that I did love was the bottle of water they give you in room.
Ways to Relax (Or Just Zone Out)
This is where Shivalika actually shines. Pool with view. Beautiful, I have been there, I have seen it. Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom. You can get a Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage. I mean, they really know how to do relaxation!
I spent way too much time in the Swimming pool [outdoor]. The view from there is truly something special, even if it’s not technically the ocean. It’s a welcome bit of respite from the hustle and bustle of Bhuj. I highly recommend it. One particularly scorching afternoon, I swear I floated in that pool for like, three hours. I even think I dozed off a few times. Pure bliss. I mean, this is probably going to sound dramatic, but that pool saved my sanity.
Things to Do (Besides Napping by the Pool)
Okay, so Bhuj, isn't exactly a hub of nightlife. Shivalika can arrange Airport transfer for you, and that's hugely helpful. Be sure to take advantage of the Taxi service. They also have a Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]. They also have a Gift/souvenir shop.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
The concierge was genuinely helpful, especially when I had a minor wardrobe malfunction (don't ask). The Daily housekeeping was a godsend, too. They do Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service. Also, the Air conditioning in public area, Elevator, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes.
For the Kids (Family Friendly!)
They are Family/child friendly. They have Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Feedbag
As I mentioned, the buffet is serviceable. I did enjoy the A la carte in restaurant. They have a Bar, Poolside bar. Room service is Room service [24-hour].
Rooms: Your Little Oasis
Okay, the rooms themselves? They’re… comfortable. Clean. Air conditioning is a must in that heat. Free bottled water, Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping, and a Refrigerator are always welcome. The Blackout curtains are a lifesaver if you're trying to beat the heat and sleep in. The Wi-Fi [free] worked pretty well. There is a Seating area, Sofa, and a Mirror. The Slippers were a nice touch. Nothing super fancy, but everything you need. They do have a bathtub, Additional toilet, Bathrobes.
Getting Around: Getting to the Good Stuff
Airport transfer, Taxi service, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station – useful!
The Whole Vibe: Is it Paradise?
Look, nobody's pretending this is a five-star resort. But it's charming. It's trying. And honestly, sometimes trying is all you need. Shivalika is more of a haven, a comfortable base from which to explore the real gems of Bhuj. The staff is genuinely friendly. The pool is a godsend. The spa is… well, let's just say I left feeling significantly less stressed than when I arrived.
The Offer: Escape to Bhuj – Where Adventure Meets a Cozy Retreat!
Feeling overwhelmed? Craving an escape? Book your stay at Escape to Paradise: Shivalika Resort and receive a complimentary couples massage (because you deserve it!) and a free upgrade to a pool-view room (to maximize those blissful pool-side moments!). We are offering you a 10% discount on all activities booked through the resort. Use code BHUJESCAPES when booking to unlock this special offer. Book now, and discover Bhuj’s hidden gem!
Escape to Paradise: Albergo Casa Este, Brenzone, Italy - Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup, because this ain't your average, pristine travel itinerary. This is my attempt to… well, survive a "relaxing" long weekend at the Shivalika Resort in Bhuj. Pray for me.
Shivalika Resort: The Great Unknown (Bhuj, India) – A Very Real Attempt at Zen
Pre-Trip Anxiety (aka, The Night Before Disaster)
- 8:00 PM: Okay, packing. Ugh. I swear, the thought of folding anything neatly sends me into a cold sweat. Somehow, I managed to cram a ridiculous amount of "just in case" clothing into my bag. I swear I might pack the entire wardrobe.
- 9:00 PM: Doubled-checked the passport. Found a weird crumb in the passport folder that I definitely did not put there. Sigh.
- 10:00 PM: Googled "Bhuj weather." Immediately freaked out about the sun. Bought sunscreen and a massive hat. (Note to self: bring the hat. This is important.)
- 10:30 PM: Slept? No. Tossed, turned, and imagined every possible travel catastrophe imaginable. Then finally, when I thought I will not sleep at all, I went to sleep.
Day 1: Arrival and the First Taste (or, Let the Confusion Begin)
- 6:00 AM: Wake up, bleary-eyed and regretting the pre-trip coffee. Airport shuffle. The flight was thankfully uneventful, except for the baby behind me who clearly saw my existential crisis unfolding and decided to contribute to it.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive in Bhuj. The airport is…small. Like, really small. And hot. Instantly start sweating. The driver from the resort, bless his heart, is holding a sign with my name on it, slightly misspelled. (Classic.)
- 11:00 AM: Check into Shivalika. The lobby is gorgeous, all polished wood and traditional textiles. I'm immediately worried I'm going to spill something on it. The room is nice… really, really nice. Air conditioning on full blast. I suspect they are trying to prevent the heat.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Okay, first impressions of the food: spice, glorious spice. The butter chicken? Divine. The naan bread? So fluffy it's almost…suspiciously fluffy. Ate way too much. Feel slightly sluggish already.
- 2:00 PM: Attempt to "relax by the pool." Realize I'm terrible at relaxing. Spend most of the time scanning for crocodiles (irrational, I know, but the "desert" vibe is messing with my head). The sun is intense. I am already reapplying sunscreen, about to melt.
- 4:00 PM: A spa treatment. Okay. A massage. I am extremely ticklish. The masseuse seems unfazed by my involuntary giggles. Surprisingly, I actually relaxed. I was so relaxed that I almost fell asleep right there on the massage table. The oil smells suspiciously like… clove. I'm feeling a bit sleepy.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the resort's restaurant. More delicious food. Possibly too delicious. Start plotting to sneak extra naan back to my room. Regret it later, the calories. The air is getting cooler. Good.
- 9:00 PM: Attempted to explore the resort grounds after dinner, but got lost and scared by a particularly large lizard. Back in the room, vowing to be more adventurous tomorrow.
Day 2: The Fort and the Frenzy (aka, Where Things Get Real)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up feeling surprisingly refreshed. This might become a habit.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The resort somehow managed a breakfast buffet that is not just edible, but actually good. And the coffee is strong enough to wake the dead. I'm cautiously optimistic about my future at this place.
- 10:00 AM: Travel to Aina Mahal (Mirror Palace). This place is stunning. The intricate mirror work is dazzling. I nearly walked into a display case because I was staring at the ceiling. A guide told us about the history, which I was too distracted to fully absorb.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Another delicious meal, but I’m starting to miss salads. The spice is amazing, but it's also starting to…reappear.
- 1:00 PM: A visit to Prag Mahal (also called the new palace, to distinguish it from the old one). Climb to the top. Views for days! Felt a surge of genuine awe, followed by a desperate craving for water. The heat is truly something else.
- 3:00 PM: Shopping in the Bhuj Haat. Oh my god. Chaos! Colorful textiles, intricate embroidery, the scent of unfamiliar spices. I haggled for a scarf, probably overpaid, but felt like a local. Got lost in the market and almost missed the driver.
- 5:00 PM: The resort beckons. Collapse by the pool. Realize I'm incredibly sunburned.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner, this time with a slightly frantic air. I think I may have overdone it on the market. The butter chicken, as amazing as it is, is starting to feel repetitive. The waiter is a saint, putting up with my increasingly incoherent requests for… something green.
- 9:00 PM: Back in the room, attempting to rehydrate and applying after-sun lotion. Feeling physically exhausted but mentally invigorated. I need to start thinking about the next day's plan.
Day 3: The Desert and the Delight (or, The Day I Almost Became A Camel)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up early because of excitement. The desert is calling, literally. Breakfast. More of the same, which is not a bad thing.
- 8:00 AM: Trip to the White Desert (Rann of Kutch). The drive is long but worth it. The landscape is otherworldly. It's like being on another planet.
- 10:00 AM: The white desert. It's blindingly white. Absolutely stunning. Take a moment to let this sink in.
- 11:00 AM: Camel ride. I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't this. The camel is named 'Bob.' At first, I was terrified. Then I got into the rhythm. The desert landscape is a never-ending expanse of salt and sand. This is beauty. The view is stunning. I would be back.
- 1:00 PM: Desert lunch. Simple, delicious, and incredibly welcome after the camel ride.
- 2:00 PM: Return to the resort. The drive back feels even longer, but I didn’t care, I was still reeling from the desert experience.
- 4:00 PM: Another spa treatment. This time, I'm getting a full-body scrub. I emerge feeling like a new person.
- 7:00 PM: The last dinner. Start to feel bittersweet about leaving. The food is still excellent. I’m still not keen of salads. I got to know everyone. I'm going to miss this place.
- 9:00 PM: Pack, with less existential dread this time. I've figured out the luggage situation.
Day 4: Departure (aka, Sadness and Samosas)
- 7:00 AM: Last breakfast. Tears in my eyes. I can't believe it's over.
- 8:00 AM: Final goodbye swim. Trying to soak it all in. Not quite as refreshing.
- 9:00 AM: Checking out. The staff is so lovely. I felt like I made new friends.
- 10:00 AM: Airport. Getting ready to leave.
- 11:00 AM: The flight.
- 12:00 PM: Back home. Exhausted, slightly sunburned, and already planning my return.
Final Thoughts (aka, Post-Trip Rambling)
This trip was a whirlwind. It was hot, it was chaotic, it was messy, and it was absolutely wonderful. I learned that I’m capable of embracing the unknown (and eating an impressive amount of butter chicken). I’m still dreaming of that white desert. And yeah, I think I need another massage…
And maybe some samosas. Definitely some samosas.
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