REVIEW: THE BEACH HOUSE RESORT

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How would you describe it? Rejuvenating, comforting, supportive, healthy and happy.

Who’d love it? Anyone who needs some personal time to relax and improve their health (mental and physical). Many of the guests I met had experienced some kind of trauma. They came to The Beach House to feel good again. Others wanted to get their eating habits back on track and develop a healthier relationship with food.

How were the rooms?
 Exactly what the doctor (and patient) ordered. They’re newly renovated, so the decor is bright and fresh, helping to create a calming and revitalising atmosphere. The bathrooms were spacious. The bed was deliciously soft. I had a mountain of cuddly pillows to choose from. Seriously speedy Wi-Fi and Pay TV were also available. I couldn’t have asked for more.

How was the food? It’s hard to judge, as I was on a detox diet, haha! Healthy ingredients aren’t always the most palatable. But, I must admit, the fruit juices were absolute heaven, delivering a serious flavour punch. The vegetable broths reminded me how food tastes without chemicals and additives – probably a good thing!

What was the vibe like?
 Calm and content. It’s easy to achieve a sense of inner peace here. The staff were gentle in nature, offering sweet smiles when guests needed a boost. We were all mildly comatose due to our low-cal meals, daily yoga classes, meditation sessions by the beach, and blissful massages.

How was the service?
 Delightful. No request was too inconvenient. Help was always given swiftly and kindly. The staff were very compassionate. Hungry guests can be moody ones. The staff never let a snappy comment dint their positive demeanour. The only slight challenge was the sheer number of staff – there were so many doctors and personnel, communication between them (and the guests) wasn’t always 100% seamless. Having said that, it was wonderful to know every support resource I could possibly need was ready to help me through my detox.

What were the highlights? The experience as a whole – it was delivered with professionalism, careful consideration and attention to detail. Having signed up for the juice cleanse / detox retreat, I was supported with an incredible amount of resources and guided through my journey in the best, most holistic way possible. I felt as thought it wasn’t just about eliminating a few toxins and kilos of fat from my body. The process was committed to improving my physical, psychological and physiological health to support my total well-being. After staying at The Beach House, I knew I’d made many positive changes, from the inside out.

What’s different about the place? When you come to The Beach House, you stay at The Beach House. There’s no escaping this little hideaway, which is brilliant. It meant I could totally focus on what I was there to do, away from any stress and distractions. The team kept me busy for five days with daily one-on-one yoga classes, a variety of massages, educational talks about health, a library of reading material, walks on the beach, meditation in the ocean-front huts, regular colonics and the best Wi-Fi I’d accessed in India. I was never bored. The Beach House is also unique because it personalises programs to suit individual guests. Before arriving, I had to fill out a detailed questionnaire which had an impact on my meals, hypnotherapy sessions, nutrition talks and beyond. I really felt like my stay was made just for me and, for this reason, it made an immensely positive impact on my life.

How would you rate the overall experience? 8.5 out of 10 sun salutations.

Resort Details:
Sernabatim Beach Road, Colva, Salcette, Goa, India
Tel: 0832 669 7733
www.thebeachhousegoa.com

REVIEW: THE BEACH HOUSE RESORT

REVIEW: RADISSON KHAJURAHO

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How would you describe it? Sophisticated, hospitable, majestic, peaceful, pure comfort.

Who’d love it? Off the beaten track travellers looking for a tranquil and luxurious place to “feel human again”.

How were the rooms?
 They were perfectly comfortable, offering the right mix of fresh cleanliness and cosiness. Both Ben and I had a great night’s sleep – the rooms helped revive us, body and soul.

How was the food? The breakfast buffet offered everything Ben and I had been craving after a few weeks in India: cook-to-order eggs, savoury sides (bacon…omnomnomnom!), fluffy pancakes, sweet pastries, fruit salad and beyond. There were also a lot of beautifully prepared local dishes on offer. The lunch and dinner menus were a bit on the pricey side, so we enjoyed a couple of meals in town (just around the corner from the Radisson). However, when we were too exhausted to take on the tout zone, the hotel restaurant provided a peaceful place to enjoy a lovely meal.

What was the vibe like?
 For a big hotel, it felt incredibly intimate. We were treated like well-known celebrities, not just another couple of customers. It was delightful.

How was the service?
 The best I’ve experienced in India. Staying at the Radisson took me back in time, to a beautiful placed shrouded in old-world charm, romance and elegance. Thanks to the staff and the atmosphere they created, we didn’t have a care in the world. They were incredibly intuitive, fulfilling our needs before we even knew they existed and going above and beyond at every possible opportunity. For example, when I asked for a wi-fi login card, they delivered it to me along with a spare for Ben knowing that he’d eventually want one too. When I ordered a glass of ice, they brought one up along with an ice bucket in case I needed a top up. When Ben realised it was the night of the UEFA Champions League Final, they set up the bar TV for him so he could enjoy the game well after operating hours. The hotel manager also offered to look at our India map and talk us through the best routes, attractions and destinations.

What were the highlights? Apart from the impeccable service, the ground were pretty special. Thanks to the grand pool and perfectly manicured grounds, the Radisson looked like an oasis in the middle of the dessert.

What’s different about the place? The sweeping marble staircase leading to the rooms was a spectacular sight. I also liked how the Radisson offered extra facilities to keep us entertained during our stay e.g. free pool table and magazine library.

How would you rate the overall experience? 8.5 out of 10 spiral staircases.

Resort Details:
By Pass Road, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, India
Tel: 076862 72777
http://www.radisson.com/khajuraho-hotel-in/indkhaj

REVIEW: RADISSON KHAJURAHO