Escape to Paradise: Aanantham Resort Khajjiar Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Aanantham Resort Khajjiar Awaits! - A Chaotic But Honest Review
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because I'm about to spill the tea on Aanantham Resort in Khajjiar. Forget your perfectly curated Instagram feeds, this is the REAL DEAL. I’ve been, I've survived, and I'm here to tell the tale – warts and all. And trust me, there were some serious warts. But also, some seriously sparkly bits.
First Impressions: Location, Location, Location (and a Slight Panic Attack)
Getting to Khajjiar already felt like a mini-adventure. The resort's tucked away, which is both a blessing and a curse. Accessibility, well…let's just say if you're relying on a wheelchair, call ahead. I didn't specifically check the "wheelchair accessibility" but remember, this is Khajjiar, not Las Vegas. It's mountainous. Beautiful, yes, but…mountainous. They do have an elevator though, which is a win! And the views…oh, the views. Breathtaking, heart-stopping, almost-made-me-cry-with-sheer-beauty kind of views.
The resort itself? Pretty darn gorgeous. This is a place where you kind of get lost and find yourself again in the lap of the Himalayas.
The Rooms: Comfort and (Occasional) Quirks
The rooms? They're mostly pretty great. I went for the full experience, and really, it began here.
- Available in all Rooms: Let's just be real, ALL rooms have stuff. I mean, duh-duh.
- Additional toilet: Always a relief. Trust me.
- Air conditioning: Essential.
- Alarm clock: Useless, thanks to my phone.
- Bathrobes: Plush. I lived in it.
- Bathroom phone: Weirdly comforting.
- Bathtub: Yes! Hello, relaxation.
- Blackout curtains: Godsend.
- Carpeting: Ugh, but hey, at least it felt clean.
- Closet: Spacious.
- Coffee/tea maker: Crucial.
- Complimentary tea: Good tea!
- Daily housekeeping: Spot on! I didn't even have to ask.
- Desk: Kind of pointless.
- Extra long bed: Perfect for sprawling.
- Free bottled water: Always welcome.
- Hair dryer: Saved me a lot of frustration.
- High floor: Lovely views, but, you know, elevator.
- In-room safe box: Safety first!
- Interconnecting room(s) available: Cool for families.
- Internet access – LAN: Not my jam. I'm a Wi-Fi person.
- Internet access – wireless | Wi-Fi [free]: Thankfully, spotty but mostly available with Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!.
- Ironing facilities: Did I even unpack my clothes? (No.)
- Laptop workspace: See desk.
- Linens: Clean and fresh.
- Mini bar: Overpriced, as always.
- Mirror: Lots of mirrors. Perfect for admiring myself.
- Non-smoking: Hooray.
- On-demand movies: Didn't use it. Who has time for movies?
- Private bathroom: Privacy is key.
- Reading light: Ah, now, this is a nice touch.
- Refrigerator: Useful.
- Safety/security feature: Definitely needed.
- Satellite/cable channels: Didn't watch TV.
- Scale: Shudders.
- Seating area: Okay-ish.
- Separate shower/bathtub: Luxury!
- Shower: Good pressure.
- Slippers: Cozy.
- Smoke detector: Safety first.
- Socket near the bed: Genius!
- Sofa: Comfy.
- Soundproofing: Worked!
- Telephone: Didn't use it.
- Toiletries: Basic, but fine.
- Towels: Soft and fluffy.
- Umbrella: Needed it!
- Visual alarm: Not applicable.
- Wake-up service: My phone again.
- Window that opens: Fresh air!
The "Oh My God, I Need a Drink" Moments:
There were a few hiccups. The Internet…well, it’s not exactly lightning-fast. Prepare to disconnect and embrace nature (which, honestly, is probably what you should be doing anyway). And there was a minor incident involving a rogue mosquito. But honestly, the staff was amazing. They were SO helpful. They really went above and beyond (see below).
Food, Glorious Food! (and the Occasional Dietary Dilemma)
Listen, I'm a foodie. And the food at Aanantham? Mixed bag.
- Restaurants: There are restaurants, with both Indoor venue for special events & Outdoor venue for special events
- Asian breakfast: Okay-ish.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Better than expected
- Breakfast [buffet]: The buffet was HUGE! The Breakfast [buffet] was a lifesaver. So many options, and it was included.
- Buffet in restaurant: Good.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Good coffee!
- Desserts in restaurant: Delicious. (Mostly).
- International cuisine in restaurant: Fine.
- Poolside bar: Awesome!
- Restaurants: Plenty!
- Room service [24-hour]: Lifesaver!
- Salad in restaurant: Fresh.
- Soup in restaurant: Yummy.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Options for my veggie friends.
- Western breakfast: Standard.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Standard, but good.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They accommodated requests.
- A la carte in restaurant: Also good, but a little pricey.
- Bottle of water: Provided.
- Coffee shop: Cute.
- Happy hour: Yes, please!
- Snack bar: Needed.
The Spa: Where Bliss Meets…More Bliss
Okay, let's talk spa. THIS is where Aanantham truly shines. I spent a whole afternoon there. It was basically therapy.
- Body scrub: Yes!
- Body wrap: Sign me up!
- Foot bath: Divine.
- Massage: The BEST. I basically melted into the table. Highly recommend.
- Pool with view: Gorgeous.
- Sauna: Relaxing.
- Spa: Heaven.
- Spa/sauna: Double the fun.
- Steamroom: Okay, the steamroom was a bit intense. But I can’t complain.
- Swimming pool: Great.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Cold but invigorating.
Things to Do (Besides Eat and Sleep):
Khajjiar itself is stunning. If you’re up for it you can do some hiking, and Aanantham had some nice recommendations.
- Fitness center: Had one, but I didn’t make it (oops).
- Gym/fitness: In case you’re a gym person.
- Things to do, ways to relax: Plenty!
The Nitty-Gritty Stuff: Cleanliness, Safety, and the COVID Reality
Aanantham’s doing a pretty good job handling the whole COVID thing.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Cashless payment service: Convenient.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Reassuring.
- Doctor/nurse on call: Good to know!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere.
- Hygiene certification: Check.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Smart.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Mostly observed.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Good.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Felt safe.
- Safe dining setup: Felt secure.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Important.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seemed to care.
- Sterilizing equipment: Check.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Nice option.
- First aid kit: Thank goodness.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: Good.
The Helpful Stuff:
- Air conditioning in public area: Great!
- Airport transfer: Offered.
- Audio-visual equipment for special events: They have this sort of things.
- Babysitting service: Okay.
- Bicycle parking: Cool.
- Business facilities: For the workaholics
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups! This ain't your sterile, pre-packaged travel guide. This is my trip to Aanantham Resort in Khajjiar, India, and trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable choices, and the occasional existential crisis fueled by too much chai. Let's go!
Aanantham Adventures: Khajjiar Chaos (and Maybe Enlightenment)
Day 1: Arrival and Altitude Adjustment (aka, "Did I Pack Enough Socks?")
Morning (Err, Technically Afternoon):
- 3:00 AM: The alarm screams. My inner voice screams louder. "Why did you agree to a 6 AM flight?!" I stumble out of bed, mumbling. Coffee is crucial. Mandatory.
- 6:00 AM: Airport chaos. Always. Delayed flight. Already feeling the travel-induced stress sweat. Wondering if that guy in the corner is also hungover.
- 10:00 AM: Landed in Delhi. Breathe. Okay, taxi to the domestic terminal, a quick flight, And finally, finally, the mountain air!
- 1:00 PM: Arrived at Aanantham. The view? Seriously breathtaking. Like, actual gasp breathtaking. The Himalayas! They look so… there. And the resort itself? Rustic charm meets modern comfort. I'm cautiously optimistic, though the small reception reminded me of a relative´s cozy house.
- 2:00 PM: Check-in. The receptionist (bless her fluffy cotton socks) speaks like she´s a professional singer, very melodious. I think I like her.
- 2:30 PM: Unpacking. Oh god, the socks. Did I pack enough socks?! In a moment of sheer panic, I realize I brought approximately seven pairs. Seven pairs for, like, five days. This could be a foreshadowing of a disaster.
Afternoon/Evening:
- 3:00 PM: Lunch at the resort restaurant. Food is… good. Very good. Spicy, flavorful. Feeling a little overwhelmed, though. Altitude headache kicking in.
- 4:00 PM: Nap. Mandatory. My brain is screaming for oxygen. Wake up an hour later, maybe longer.
- 5:00 PM: A walk around the resort grounds. Trying to acclimate. The pine trees smell amazing. The air is crisp, the views are, again, stunning. I can't believe I'm actually here.
- 6:00 PM: Chai time! Okay, now I get the hype. This is liquid gold. Sitting on the balcony, watching the sunset, feeling… peace? Maybe? Is this what "inner peace" feels like? Nope, still worrying about those socks.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner – more amazing food. Seriously, the chefs here are wizards. They must have some ancient Himalayan culinary secret. Maybe the secret is just a lot of fresh spices and butter.
- 8:00 PM: Early night. Head aching. Altitude, you villain.
Day 2: The Khajjiar Lake and The Horse Experience, or "Falling in Love With a Pony"
Morning:
- 8:00 AM: Woke up feeling surprisingly good. Maybe that nap did the trick. Maybe the food. Maybe the lack of city noise.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The parathas! Fluffy. Perfectly cooked. My diet went out the window about five minutes ago. Zero regrets.
- 10:00 AM: Head to Khajjiar Lake (the "Mini Switzerland"). The pictures online don´t do it justice. The water is reflecting the sky and surrounding greenery… It's almost as if I am in a dream. So beautiful, truly stunning.
- 11:00 AM: Okay, and this is where things get truly memorable. There is an area where you can hire ponies. I am not one for horses, I have never ridden, but there was one that caught my eye. He was brown, a bit chubby, and clearly beloved by one of the locals. "His name is Raja," he said proudly. I looked at Raja and immediately fell in love. He was so gentle, and so kind. The most beautiful creature.
- 12:00 PM: Okay, So I did not expect to be spending the next two hours riding a pony! But Raja, he was so beautiful. We went around the lake, he let me pet him, even let me feed him some grass. I swear, he smiled at me at one point. Yes, I do believe it.
- 1:00 PM: More Horse-ing. It turned into something more. Not only did I connect with Raja, I connected with the owner, and learned about his life and his family. It was such a moment, very beautiful.
Afternoon/Evening:
- 2:00 PM: Lunch. This time the food was just alright. I was still riding the high of the horsey experience.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel for a nap, again. Then, some journal time. This experience with Raja felt like a movie, and I wanted to savour every moment.
- 4:00 PM: Chai time, once again, on the balcony.
- 5:00 PM: Strolling through the resort grounds. I'm starting to recognize the staff now. They're so friendly, so genuine. Feeling a sense of belonging, even though I'm a million miles from home.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. The food is so good, and I´m so hungry. I can't stop eating. This place could be my demise.
- 8:00 PM: Stargazing. The sky is so clear here. The stars are brighter than I've ever seen them. Simply magical.
Day 3: The Temple, Paragliding (oh dear) and the Power of Doing Nothing
Morning:
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The parathas are calling my name. Resisting the temptation of the breakfast buffet is, frankly, impossible.
- 9:00 AM: Decided to visit a local temple. The atmosphere is both serene and overwhelming. I don't understand the ritual, or what is being said, but I feel like I understand everything. It was a very special experience.
- 10:00 AM: The moment of truth: Paragliding. I'd booked this weeks ago, feeling adventurous. Now? I'm terrified. Absolutely, utterly terrified. At least the views are pretty.
- 11:00 AM: It's my turn. My heart is pounding, my palms are sweaty. I am convinced I'm going to die. I can taste the fear.
- 11:30 AM: We're soaring! And… I'm surprisingly NOT dead! It's exhilarating. The views are incredible. The world looks like a giant, three-dimensional painting. The fear starts to slowly fade.
- 12:00 PM: Still in the air. I am loving it. Ohmygod.
Afternoon/Evening:
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at one of the local shops. Okay food. The excitement of the morning has tired me.
- 2:00 PM: Total relaxation. Back to the resort. This is when do almost nothing. I want to reflect.
- 3:00 PM: More Chai.
- 4:00 PM: The walk to the grounds. Not as much awe as usual. The altitude? The paragliding?
- 5:00 PM: I decided to sit on the balcony for a few hours. Just staring at the view. It's amazing how much beauty there is in simply doing nothing.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. More delicious food. This is a food tour, no doubt. The chefs are amazing.
- 8:00 PM: Early night. Rest, again. I want to take it all in.
Day 4: The Little Things and the Longing to Stay
Morning:
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Feeling a little bit guilty about all the food I've eaten, but it's delicious.
- 9:00 AM: A final walk around the resort. Savoring the last moments.
- 10:00 AM: Packing. Trying to organize everything. Have I bought enough souvenirs? I am hoping I bought enough socks.
- 11:00 AM: A final, lingering chai. Tears might have escaped.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch, one last delicious meal.
Afternoon/Evening:
- 1:00 PM: Check-out. Saying goodbye to the kind receptionist. I love her
Okay, spill the tea – is Aanantham Resort in Khajjiar REALLY as dreamy as the pictures?
Ugh, alright, alright, you want the truth, huh? The pictures? Yeah, they're pretty. But listen, those photos? They're *enhanced*. They don't show the actual, raw, unadulterated experience of, say, trying to untangle a flimsy umbrella in a sudden downpour while also juggling a plate of surprisingly spicy aloo tikki (more on that later). Khajjiar itself? Gorgeous. That lake... *breathtaking* if you catch it on the right day. Sometimes, though… sometimes the clouds just roll in, and it's all a bit… grey. But even grey Khajjiar has a magic. Just don’t expect every sunrise to be Instagram-worthy, okay? Real life’s a bit more… authentic. Aanantham? Yes, it's lovely. Really. But, and this is a big but, it's got quirks.
What's the *vibe* like at the resort? Is it all couples' retreats or can a solo traveler thrive?
Okay, the vibe… it's… relaxed. Think slightly upscale, but definitely not pretentious. It’s not the kind of place where you feel pressure to wear heels (thank God!). I saw a good mix – families, couples, even a few solo adventurers like me (yes, I brought a book and I'm proud). You can definitely thrive solo! Honestly, sometimes the best part of traveling alone is… well, being alone. No need to justify your third samosa! But also, the staff are friendly – not in an overly fake way, but genuinely helpful. They'll chat if you want, leave you alone if you don't. It's all about finding your groove. I remember one evening, I was chatting with a waiter about the local crafts… lovely guy, gave me all sorts of tips on where to shop for the best shawls. See? Solo is gold!
The food! Tell me about the food! Is it good? (Be honest!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this is important. The food…is…mostly good. Let me be clear: it's not Michelin-star, mind you. But it’s solid, and there are some *gems*. The breakfast buffet? A *must*. Their parathas are legendary. Seriously, I could eat those things all day. (And I may have… shhh). The dinner buffet? Hit or miss. Some nights were a culinary triumph. Other nights… well, let's just say I stuck to the butter chicken. The aloo tikki I mentioned earlier? Oh. My. God. Amazing. So spicy my eyes watered, which, in the cool Khajjiar air, was a welcome sensation. But, and this is a small gripe, the coffee? Let's just say it could use some improvement. I’m a coffee snob, okay?
What are the rooms like? Are they clean? Comfy? What should I ask for?
The rooms are… nice! Clean, comfortable beds, and a view that, depending on which room you get, will either take your breath away or just… be fine. I was lucky (or maybe I just asked the right questions), and had a room overlooking the lake. Waking up to that view? Unbeatable. Ask for a room with a view! Seriously, it's worth the extra few rupees, or whatever they charge. The bathrooms are also clean and well-maintained, though the water pressure can be a bit… fickle at times. I remember one morning, the water just… stopped. Panic set in for a moment there, then I remembered I was on holiday and took a deep breath. It came back, eventually! My advice: bring a book and learn to relax. And maybe pack a backup water bottle!
Is there anything to *do* besides just, you know, *be* in paradise?
Oh, honey, yes! You're in Khajjiar. You *must* go for a walk around the lake. It's… magical. The resort offers activities, too. They have horse riding, which I tried. I spent more time trying to stay *on* the horse than actually enjoying it, but it was still a good laugh. There are also some hiking trails. I attempted one, got completely lost, and ended up stumbling upon a tiny, family-run tea shop that served the most incredible chai I’ve ever tasted! Seriously, that chai was a highlight of my trip. Aside from that, there are also the standard activities, like cycling and playing games. The resort provides the basic equipment, which is nice. Oh, and...they have a spa. Treat yourself. You deserve it! I had a massage... best money I spent the entire trip.
Any tips for getting *to* Aanantham? And how to get around the town?
Getting there… well, it’s a bit of a journey, depending on where you're coming from. The nearest airport is Pathankot, then it's a drive. The roads can be… interesting. Think winding mountain passes and the occasional rogue cow. Prepare for some jostling! I hired a car, which, honestly, was the easiest option. The resort can arrange a pick-up too. Once you’re there? You can walk around the area and also hire a taxi or a shared jeep for getting around Khajjiar. The resort is located not far from other tourist places. Just be prepared to haggle a bit with the taxi drivers. That’s part of the fun, right? (Don’t tell them I said that. They might inflate their prices!). The real key is to download offline maps! You'll thank me later.
Anything I *shouldn't* do or be prepared for? Any hidden costs?
Okay, listen up! Don't expect super-fast Wi-Fi. It’s… adequate. Prepare to unplug (and secretly love it). Pack layers! The weather changes quickly. One minute you're enjoying the sunshine, the next you’re shivering. Hidden costs? A few. Drinks at the bar are pricey, but hey, you’re on holiday. Also, the activities can add up. Factor in tips! And… be aware that the souvenir shops in and around Khajjiar LOVE to bargain! Have fun with it. Embrace the chaos, even when the power goes out (which, let's face it, it might). And remember that aloo tikki? Order extra. Trust me. You'll regret it if you don't.
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