Escape to Paradise: Richi Valley Resort, Mount Abu Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Richi Valley Resort, Mount Abu - A Messy, Honest, and Probably Sleep-Deprived Review!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans (and maybe some spilled coffee) on the Escape to Paradise: Richi Valley Resort, Mount Abu. Honestly, after sifting through the perfectly curated Instagram feeds, I was skeptical. Paradise? In Mount Abu? Let's find out! And believe me, after navigating the chaos (and the sheer amount of information), I'm ready to give you the real lowdown. SEO, shmee-oh, let's get real.
Accessibility - The First Hurdle (and a Few Gripes) – Access, Facilities for disabled guests, Elevator:
Right, let's rip the band-aid off first. Accessibility is a mixed bag. The resort does have Facilities for disabled guests listed, which is great. And there's an Elevator, a lifesaver considering the mountain terrain! But… my experience? Not perfect. Some areas weren't as easy to maneuver for someone with mobility concerns. Not a major flaw, but worth noting. And finding clear information before arrival? That could be better. They should highlight the accessibility features MORE.
Getting There & Getting Around - Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking, Bicycle parking:
Getting to Richi Valley? Easy peasy. Or would be, if I knew I could trust the Airport Transfer. (Note to self: always confirm that!) But once there, Parking is a breeze. Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]. Big plus! And the Valet parking will save your sanity after a long drive. Car power charging station? Bonus for the green travelers among us. Getting around the resort itself? Well, walking is an option, but given the size, and the dips and bumps… hmm.
Cleanliness and Safety - A Sigh of Relief (and Some Suspicion) - Deep Breath Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms:
Listen, in a post-pandemic world, safety is everything. And Richi Valley delivers… with a slight side of “overkill.” Not complaining, mind you! The Daily disinfection in common areas is comforting. Hand sanitizer everywhere? Good. Seeing staff scrubbing like they're prepping for surgery? Okay, maybe a little much. But hey, I'd rather be safe than sorry, right?
The breakfast takeaway service and Individually-wrapped food options make me feel confident. Kudos for the Cashless payment service.
The Room - My Sanctuary (Mostly) - Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens:
Okay, let's talk about the real reason we all book a hotel room: the room itself! The Air conditioning was blasting, thank god, because Mount Abu can get hot. The Blackout curtains were a lifesaver for sleeping in (more on that later). The Extra long bed was glorious. I even liked the Bathrobes! It's those little touches, right?
Wi-Fi [free] in the room? Yes, please! And the Internet access – wireless was pretty reliable, though sometimes it felt like dial-up. The Coffee/tea maker was essential. The Mini bar was… uh… well-stocked (cough). Basically, it was a comfortable, well-equipped haven. BUT! There were a few minor imperfections like, maybe, some outdated decor, or a slightly wonky shower head. My biggest gripe? The desk. Not quite big enough for a serious laptop session.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - Foodie Paradise (Mostly) - A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant:
Alright, fellow hungry humans, let's talk food! And honestly? Amazing. Breakfast [buffet]. Buffet in restaurant. The sheer variety was overwhelming in the best possible way. Fresh fruit, delicious pastries, and every type of egg preparation you could imagine. The Asian breakfast was authentic. I might have filled up on the Coffee/tea in restaurant to maintain my energy levels.
Restaurants! There are several, with a mix of International cuisine in restaurant and Asian cuisine in restaurant. Dinner was a treat - the A la carte in restaurant, a delicious mix of options. The Poolside bar was perfect for sundowners. I even saw a Happy hour deal. There was even a Vegetarian restaurant if that's your thing. If you are a foodie, be prepared to gain weight if you aren't careful.
Pool with a view: I'm skipping ahead to the pool (because, well, pool). Honestly, it was pure bliss. Floating in the water, gazing at the mountain vistas… I could have (and probably should have) stayed there all day.
Spa and Relaxation - My Happy Place (Mostly) - Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom:
This is where Richi Valley really shines. The Spa is a sanctuary. The Massage was heavenly. (I'm still glowing.) The Sauna and Steamroom were the perfect way to unwind. The Pool with view was incredible. I spent a good chunk of my time here. The Body scrub, Body wrap, felt more of a luxury than a necessity. The Gym/fitness facilities seemed decent, (maybe skip the gym altogether and just be relaxed).
Things to Do - Beyond Relaxation - Audio-visual equipment for special events, Babysitting service, Bicycle parking, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Room decorations, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center, Couple's room, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal, Proposal spot:
Okay, so you're not just there to lie in bed. Which, by the way, is totally acceptable. But if you want to get up and do things, Richi Valley has options. The Concierge helped me book a sightseeing tour. There's a Shrine nearby. Meeting/banquet facilities if you're traveling for business - with Business facilities. The Gift/souvenir shop is handy for picking up, let’s say, last-minute presents. There's an Outdoor venue for special events if you like.
NOW, FOR THE MOMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR… MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES!
The Anecdote of the Lost Luggage (and Unexpected Serenity):
Okay, so, confession time. My luggage got lost. Yep. Left somewhere at the airport. Cue panic. I was on the phone with the airline, tearing my hair out. I was ready to burst. Then, I hit the Spa. I didn't want to at first.
Unveiling Krishna's Lost Legacy: The Shocking Secrets of Badami
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're heading to Mount Abu! Specifically, Richi Valley Resort. Now, I'm calling this an itinerary, but let's be honest, it's more of a "vaguely-shaped suggestion with a heavy dose of winging it." My track record with sticking to plans is… well, let's just say it involves a lot of "oh well, what's the harm?"
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Room Roulette
Morning (or whenever the heck we get there): The journey should be straightforward. Drive from… well, let's decide that later, depends on where we are! But, I'm already picturing the car ride. Me, perpetually backseat-driving the driver, my spouse sighing dramatically, and the kids arguing over who gets the window. The usual.
Arrival at Richi Valley. Okay, reviews said the views were fantastic. Hoping they didn't oversell it. Walking into the lobby, I'm envisioning grand arches and marble. Reality? Okay… a perfectly pleasant lobby. Let's not judge a book by its cover, eh?
Afternoon: Room Shenanigans (and a near-meltdown)
Check-in. This is where things got… interesting. They gave us Room 201. Perfect, right? Nope! It smelled faintly of… something. I don't know. Musty? Slightly moldy? It had a certain "grandpa's attic" vibe. I'M A CLEAN FREAK.
Cue internal monologue: "Okay, breathe. This is India. Things are… different. It's character. Embrace the character!"
(Narrator: She did not embrace the character.)
After politely asking for a different room, we were told the resort was full. Full! Seriously? Panic briefly claws at my chest. After a lot of persuasion, we got 202. Better. Still not the Taj Mahal, but it was livable. The near-meltdown was averted. Barely.
Evening: Dinner with the Family and the Sunset: Dinner in the hotel restaurant. Let's hope I can get something safe to eat. I ordered a veggie dish (let's not get fancy, I don't wanna get food poisoning). The sunset. It's supposed to be epic here. I'm imagining a glorious fiery ball sinking into the mountains. If the sky actually puts on a show, this might make up for the room. If not, at least the family is together.
Day 2: Delving into the Local Wonders (and Failing to Be a Spiritual Guru)
Morning: Breakfast. Fingers crossed for a decent fruit platter. Today, we're hitting the local sights. First up: Dilwara Temples. Supposedly these Jain temples are architectural marvels. I'm envisioning intricate carvings and a healthy dose of "wow." Getting there is a challenge, though. We need a cab… the thought of the haggling makes me want to hide under the covers.
Afternoon: Dilwara! Okay, they REALLY weren't kidding about the "architectural marvel" thing. Seriously. The carvings are so mind-blowingly detailed, it's ridiculous. Like, the artists who did this, they must have been possessed by some kind of divine… art-making spirit. I spent a good hour just staring at the ceiling, muttering, "How? How did they do that?"
After the temples, we head to Nakki Lake. Supposed to be this scenic spot. I want to do that boating. Can the kids please not tip the boat.
Evening: The Sunset and the Night: It's time again for the sunset. This time, I plan to take the sunset from another view.
Day 3: Departure… Or, Maybe, Just a Little More Chaos.
- Morning: Breakfast, pack, and checkout!
- Afternoon: The drive home. Hopefully, it's uneventful. I'm secretly hoping this trip will leave a new memory to the family. And maybe, just maybe, a renewed appreciation for my own bed.
Expectations:
- I'm expecting to forget something important. Possibly my phone. Definitely my sanity, at some point.
- I'm expecting a lot of “Are we there yet?” from the kids.
- I'm expecting the unexpected. That's the joy (and the terror) of travel, right?
So there you have it. A rough draft. A blueprint for potential chaos. But hey, that's life, isn't it? And I wouldn't have it any other way. Adventure awaits! (Or, at the very least, a slightly-musty hotel room and some seriously impressive temples.) Wish me luck!
Luxury Cinere Resort Living: Unbelievable CRI Room Views in Kalibata!
Escape to Paradise: Richi Valley Resort - Mount Abu (Or, My Brain's Take on It)
So, Richi Valley Resort. Is it *actually* paradise? Because my expectations are...high. Like, Himalayan high.
The Rooms! Spill the tea, are they Instagram-worthy or more like... a budget motel?
Food. The most important question! Tell me everything! Did they have good *chai*? Was there enough spice?
What's there to *do* at Richi Valley? Besides, you know, drinking chai.
The Location. Mount Abu - what's the vibe? Is it worth leaving the resort for?
Any downsides? Be honest.
Would you go back? And if so, what would you do differently?
