First things first, it's not a "hotel", so if you expect room service, full fledged resto etc skip this It's more like an AirBnB run by hard working Spanish monk sisters It's part of a housing society with duplex cottages on top of a hill We took the family room with two large beds which served the purpose for the four of us It was comfy, had a nice balcony and furnished simply but neat We also liked the greenery and space all around and the lack of crowds Breakfast though simple was very tasty Place is very safe, we left our door unlocked one day but no damage done They also bake yummy treats couple of days in the week, we loved them We could not find time to visit their temple which was in another cottage The stay is accessible by car and has adequate parking space There is a shortcut to the foothill and the Ganga through a flight of steps and path …
My friend was looking for a spiritual place to unwind and do yoga during her pregnancy as a result she was starved and given low nutrition food most of the time which resulted in a miscarriage a week after she left the hotel. Food: the biggest mistake was to take full meal plan but it was unavoidable due to the remote location of the "hotel' from all amenities (shops or restaurants) which was zero breakfast, lunch at 10.30-11am (usually overboiled soup, plain white rice and a small bowl of salad (cucumbers with vinegar), and dinner at 8-8.30pm (the most unhealthy time for food): another (smaller) bowl of overcooked soup, often puree of the morning soup). Don't believe the promises (pictures and signs on the walls) of a tasty European food - it doesnt exist there, they try to cook using Indian spices without making it spicy (no chillies etc) but the result is terrible: most of the time getting mashy tastless overcooked dead veggies. They sing mantras before each meal but after heating the food in the microwave it's like trying to resurrect a dead body. If you order Indian food you might get it (they may buy from a nearby restaurant) but you will have to wait for hours just like the other reviews here confirm). Activities/yoga: When the nuns were informed they are hosting a single mom without income they made a "special price" for "individual" package (just forwarding usual program they have with everyone and by himself) telling to pay 600 ruppes for each of the 5 activities: 2 yoga sessions, 30 min meditation, 2h boring dhamma teachings (reading of Bhagavat Gita), and puja. all these activities they do anyway irrelevant of anyone's presence. Later we found, if you book a room with much cheaper rate online you can have yoga for free.. they don't offer TTC trainings for yoga because "one can't learn to be a yoga teacher in 3 weeks" but the truth is most of the nuns there are not qualified to teach yoga themselves. Many reviews mention ripping off the guest and you get the feel once you enter the reception - there is a big sign telling you "to pay everything in advance", "dont ask for discounts", "no refund policy", and a charge if you need to store your luggage after check-out (most hotels offer this service for free). 150% confirmed: once they managed to make a tasty rice and my pregnant friend asked if she could take some with her in the room (remember 9h you have to starve between 11am and 8pm!), they said they have to feed their dogs with it and if you want some extra food there is an extra charge. Wifi: doesnt exist there in half a month it wasnt anywhere: not in any room or the reception itself. They lie into your face "there is no wifi currently" while using their own wifi without giving you the password to it. So, if you are looking to pay a lot of money for poor food and service - choose Ganga Vatika but I recommend to fast and read Bhagavat Gita for free by yourself - you will get more benefits.…
It is a unique hotel maintained by monks, so it's a deeply spiritual place with a temple and ceremonies. They made sure my stay was absolutely pleasant and I left with an uplifting experience definitely planing of coming back if I stop by Rishikesh again. You can have the possibility to take classes of Yoga, to meditate or pray in the temple. I appreciated very much the purified water available in the hotel. See you later. Many thanks Sisters!
The place's tranquility is immeasurable. I wanted to be away from the city, therefore when I came across this retreat it was a no-brainer. I had very minimal expectations and I also didn't know what to expect in terms of the people. I just wanted some time for meditation. My requirements were fulfilled beyond expectations. The place is ran by Hindu Monks. It is quite serene, perfect if you are looking for a personal spiritual detox or you just need minimal "peopling" for a short while. There is an option to participate in daily hindu traditions if you like. The hosts were very friendly and we visited spiritual places and the Ganges river together. They also have the most adorable furryfamily. Last but not least, if you love food like I do; I can't emphasize enough how excited I was during meal times. They served delicious vegetarian meals. Important to note, they pretty much depend on donations, therefore I recommend making allowance for it when making travel plans because the service and hospitality are well worth it.…
I really liked the food, highly suitable for meditation and the monks who attented me were very kind and always tried to find a solution to my requests. I felt at home, with all my needs covered, and I had a perfect environment to dedicate myself to study, meditate, write and practice yoga. The place is very clean, the water purified. I'll come back soon, I promise.
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