Fit for the King in You!
Hampi has been in my wishlist for long, one of the reasons coz its a UNESCO World Heritage Site and anyone who reads my blog regularly knows that I'm a bit crazy about it!!! We took a long weekend off and set off to Hampi and for more about its awesomeness you've gotta wait for the upcoming posts. Before that, here's more about where we stayed - Orange County Luxury Resorts, Hampi.
To begin with, entering the resort through high wooden doors filled with metal decor & spikes, fitted on high granite wall, it was pretty much like entering a castle! With a 150m long waterway in front of the resort, going towards it, slowing engulfing its massiveness and palatial beauty its just mesmerizing! Covering an area of about 28 acres, in the middle of nowhere, just beside Daroji Bear Sanctuary (no, so far bears haven't come visiting the resort), its indeed a palace!!!
I was escorted in by the lovely staff of the hotel, women clad in beautiful cotton Gaghra that looks like saree and men with kurta with dhoti! Yes, the outfit has been designed keeping in mind the local clothing & the dry heat conditions in Hampi. The welcome drink is either Buttermilk or Badam milk! Everything in the hotel has been designed keeping in mind what the town is famous for - Hampi ruins - combining Vijayanagara Hindu architecture & Bahmani Islamic architecture - all, now UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
There are 4 types of rooms in the hotel - Nivasa, Nilaya, Zenana and Jal Mahal! There are 23 Nivasa rooms at 950 sq ft each, 8 Nilaya rooms at 1300 sq ft each, just 6 Zenana rooms (these are the corner rooms) at 1600 sq ft and the separate cottages called Jal Mahal are 9 in number at 2600 sq ft each!!! All the rooms are equipped with king sized beds, toiletries, mini bar, and the bathrooms are fitted with a shower, bathtub and Jacuzzi.
Several tiny little details of these rooms brings us close to a royal experience - doors & windows shaped like Islamic palace doors, cupboards & containers made of wood with brass detailing that look like royal treasure trunks, the switches are retro, liquid toiletries in ceramic containers, lights are fitted in a outer casing that look like a castle torch, a fabric hanging atop the bed that looks like the age old manual ceiling fans (punkah) used by royalties!!!
I'll give you a very simple idea - the bathroom of these rooms here are as big as the actual rooms of budget hotels!!! Except for the Nivasa rooms, the rest of the rooms have a separate living room apart from the bedroom. The Zenana and Jal Mahal rooms have a separate dining area and an open balcony as well!
However all the rooms have huge French windows (shaped in an Islamic style ofcourse) that will give a fantastic view! All the rooms are equipped with cupboard safes, kettles, French press for coffee, a bowl of fresh fruits, some local sweets (that are replenished everyday) etc!!! To be eco-conscious, all rooms are provided with RO drinking water taps and glass bottles; also a card requesting to not change the sheets is also provided, so the impact of detergent can be minimized!!! Nivasa, Nilaya and Zenana are in the main building while Jal Mahal rooms are like private cottages, each separate!
Jal Mahal is an epitome of luxury!!! As the name says, its surrounded by Jal i.e. water! The entrance to the cottages requires crossing a bit of water on some granite slabs. As soon as you enter is the drawing/dining room, next is living room with the TV and from here the back door opens which leads to your own private infinity pool!!!
Just beside the pool is a small private lounging area facing the setting sun! There's also seating arrangements in the shade if that's the preference. Private candle light dinner could be arranged here as well. A wall separates this area between adjacent cottages! The pool is accessible also from the bedroom as well as bathroom! The shower of the bathroom is skylit! These rooms are an honeymooner's delight!!!
More about the hotel's other facilities coming up soon. Stay tuned!!!
To get there:
On Google Maps: Orange County Hampi
From Hospet Jn: 17 km
From Bangalore Airport & City Station: 350 km
Transport is arranged by the resort from nearest airport / railway station on prior request.
Room tariff begins at Rs.29000/-
To Book: Orange County Hampi
Resort Ph no: +91 (0)8274 258 481-4
P.S: I was invited by Orange County, Hampi to stay and experience the hotel for review purpose, however the opinions are my own and this post does not to advertise the product/service.