Nainital's BEST Hotel? Summer King's Royal Treatment Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're diving headfirst into the swirling, sometimes chaotic, but undeniably glorious world of Nainital's BEST Hotel? Summer King's Royal Treatment Awaits!. Let’s be real, finding the “best” is always subjective, right? But after spending a week (or was it more? Time melts away in those mountains!) at this place, I’m ready to shout from the rooftops (or, you know, the blogosphere) why this hotel just might be it.
Let's Get This Accessibility Ball Rolling (or Wheelin', If You Prefer)
Right, first things first. Accessibility. This is a HUGE win for Summer King's. Listed as Facilities for disabled guests and Wheelchair accessible, as well as an Elevator, they really do make an effort. They've got the basics covered, and that's a huge relief. Look, I'm not in a wheelchair, but seeing a place actually think about accessibility makes me feel good just knowing it's there. And kudos for the Car park [on-site] and car park [free of charge] – parking in Nainital can be a nightmare!
Clean Freak Alert! Or, How This Hotel Made Me Feel Safe
Okay, so let's talk about the elephant in the room: the state of the world. Summer King's takes the COVID-19 situation seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, rooms sanitized between stays, Daily disinfection in common areas, staff trained in safety protocol, AND individually-wrapped food options? YES, PLEASE! I'm not going to lie, I was a little freaked out about traveling, but their commitment to cleanliness seriously eased my anxieties. The hand sanitizer was plentiful, and honestly, the overall feeling was one of genuine care. Felt like they wanted us to stay safe.
(Side note: I’m a total germaphobe, so this was huge for me. I'm talking OCD levels of handwashing sometimes, so this was a serious win.)
Food, Glorious Food (and Maybe a Little Hiccup!)
Alright, let's get to the good stuff. Restaurants, plural! They've got options! A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Poolside bar, Snack bar, you name it! And the food? Mostly fantastic.
The Asian breakfast was a delightful departure from the usual fare. They had some amazing idli-sambar one day, and oh my god, the parathas were divine. We're talking crispy, flaky, perfectly spiced deliciousness. I basically had a paratha-induced coma every morning. And the coffee? Surprisingly good.
Now, a tiny hiccup. The Room service [24-hour] was advertised, but… let's just say the delivery times fluctuated a bit. One night, I ordered a club sandwich at 2 AM. It didn't arrive until, well, closer to sunrise. But, you know what? They were incredibly apologetic, and the sandwich, when it finally arrived, was actually pretty good. Forgive, forget, and order it the next day.
The Spa: My Personal Paradise on a Hill
Okay, this is where I really lost myself. Spa, Spa/sauna, Sauna, Steamroom, Foot bath, Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage OH MY GOD. This. Was. Heaven.
Picture this: you, after a long day of exploring Nainital's beauty, strolling into a dimly lit, fragrant sanctuary. The air is thick with the scent of essential oils. I honestly think I spent a good hour just breathing that air before I even got my massage.
I opted for the deep tissue. The therapist, a tiny woman with hands of steel, worked out knots in my back I didn't even know I had. Now, i'm a fairly stoic individual, but that massage… I might have actually whimpered with pleasure. The Pool with view (outdoor pool, mind you!) just makes all of this better. I spent the following morning just floating around, looking at the mountains, feeling like a whole new person. Best money ever spent.
And the rest!
- Internet Access: YES! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And it actually works! Also, if you're old school (like me, sometimes), they have Internet [LAN].
- For the Kids: They've got Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids facilities, so if you're traveling with the little ones, they seem to have you covered.
- Services and Conveniences: The Concierge was incredibly helpful with suggestions. The Luggage storage was a lifesaver. I even used the Dry cleaning service!
- The Rooms? Non-smoking, Air conditioning, Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Safety/security feature, TV, Slippers, Wake-up service, Window that opens. You know, the essentials. My room had a huge window with a view of the mountains, and every morning, I'd just sit there with my coffee, watching the mist roll in. Bliss.
But Let's Be Real: What Could Be Better?
Okay, no place is perfect. I would've loved a slightly more diverse menu, especially for dinner. And maybe slightly faster room service! But honestly, these are minor quibbles.
The Verdict: Book This Hotel! You Won't Regret It.
Look, I'm no travel blogger, but I’m also not easily impressed. But Summer King's Royal Treatment Awaits? It delivered. It delivered on cleanliness, on relaxation, and most importantly, on making me feel like I was actually taking a vacation, not just ticking boxes off a list.
NOW, for the juicy CALL TO ACTION!!
Tired of Zoom calls and endless to-do lists? Dream of crisp mountain air and breathtaking views?
Then stop dreaming and start BOOKING!
Nainital's BEST Hotel? Summer King's Royal Treatment Awaits!, is waiting to welcome you with open arms (and sanitized rooms!).
Here's what you get (and why your weary soul NEEDS this!):
- Unwind in a spa that'll melt away your stress. (Seriously, the massage was LIFE-CHANGING!)
- Feast on delicious food, from hearty breakfasts to late-night snacks. (Those parathas! Don't miss them!)
- Breathe easy, knowing they prioritize your health and safety. (Anti-viral everything? Yes, please!)
- Enjoy breathtaking views from your room and the outdoor pool. (Instagram-worthy moments guaranteed!)
- Reliable Wi-Fi so you can still be sort of "connected" but actually BE on vacation.
But wait, there's MORE! (because we love a good deal!)
Book your stay in the next 7 days and receive a complimentary welcome massage! (That's right, FREE RELAXATION!)
Don't let another day go by without experiencing the magic of Nainital.
Click here to book your escape to Summer King's Royal Treatment Awaits! NOW! (Seriously, do it. You deserve it.)
(And please, tip the massage therapists generously. They work wonders.)
Unbelievable Beachfront Views! Umdloti Resort 704, Durban Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your sanitized, corporate-approved travel plan. This is the raw, unfiltered truth about my potential disaster-in-the-making/potential-dream-come-true trip to Hotel O Summer King in Nainital, India. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and the constant threat of losing my dang phone charger.
Hotel O Summer King: Naive-ital (As of… well, whenever I actually LEAVE)
Day 1: The Arrival (and the Initial "Oh, Sweet Mother of Pearl")
- 6:00 AM (Attempted): Alarm blares. My internal alarm (read: panic) goes off a solid hour earlier. "Did I pack enough socks?" "Did I accidentally leave my passport on the coffee table?" "Is this REAL LIFE?!" (Spoiler: likely).
- 6:30 AM: Actually, up. This is a MIRACLE. I'm operating on approximately four hours of sleep thanks to the pre-trip anxiety dream where I was chased by a sentient suitcase full of dirty laundry.
- 7:00 AM: Airport. Ugh. Airport. The land of overpriced coffee and the constant hum of forced cheerfulness. I swear, the security people can sense the pre-trip jitters and delight in making you empty your entire life into a plastic bin.
- 10:00 AM: Flight. Pray to the travel gods for no screaming babies or the guy with the weird cough. I'm currently obsessed with the idea of not being squashed by a fellow passenger, so this plane ride will be an anxious one.
- 1:00 PM (Estimated): Arrival in Delhi. Now, the REAL adventure begins. Praying the taxi driver isn't trying to pull off a "fast one"
- 5:00 PM (ish): Train to Kathgodam. Let's talk trains in India. I've heard tales of chai-wallahs, stunning scenery, and the constant threat of a stolen backpack. Here goes nothing. I'm picturing myself as some Indiana Jones character but I'm more likely the one who always trips over the trip wire.
- 8:00 PM: Finally… finally Kathgodam. The air is crisp, the anticipation is HIGH. Then… the real challenge: getting from Kathgodam to Nainital. I can almost guarantee I'll either be grossly overcharged for a taxi or somehow end up in a rickshaw that’s powered by… well, magic, because that's the only explanation.
- 9:00 PM (Hopefully): Arrival at Hotel O Summer King. First impressions… are they good? Is this place an actual palace or a renovated shed? I'm ready for a shower and a solid attempt at sleep. If I can navigate the hotel room's light switches without setting off some sort of electrical catastrophe.
Day 2: Nainital's Embrace (and My Inability to Navigate a Map)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Or… stumble out of bed. Maybe I'll actually see the mountain views they promised. I have a hunch that the coffee here, despite my fears, will be incredible.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. I'm going to try everything. Everything. I'm talking parathas, curries, maybe even a bizarre combination of the two just to test the limits of my stomach.
- 9:00 AM: Tour of Nainital. This is where the chaos truly begins. I'm planning to walk the lake, visit the Naina Devi temple, and maybe take a boat ride. But the truth? I have the directional sense of a newborn kitten. I will get lost. I will wander aimlessly. And I may or may not accidentally end up in someone's backyard.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I'm thinking… more curry. Or maybe I will attempt to order something completely new and regret it for the rest of the day.
- 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Nainital Lake: I'm determined to get to the lake, even if I have to sell a kidney. I would LOVE a boat ride. I might freak out. I'm going to attempt to take photos… and probably end up dropping my phone in the water.
- 4:00 PM: Tea and Snacks. Chai, obviously. And hopefully some kind of deep-fried, carb-laden deliciousness.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Free Time. This is where I'll either: A) find a hidden gem, a quaint little shop with amazing handmade crafts and learn more about the culture B) Get hopelessly lost in the local market, get overcharged for something, and swear off shopping for life.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. I'm imagining a candlelit dinner overlooking the lake, filled with romance and peace. Knowing me, it’ll be more like a frantic scramble to find the bathroom before the restaurant closes.
- 8:00 PM: Night, and time to reflect on the day. Did I survive? Did I learn something? Did I avoid any catastrophic hygiene mishaps? These are the burning questions.
Day 3: More Than a Mountain (and My Love-Hate Relationship with Adventure)
- 7:30 AM (ish): Wake up. This is where the schedule becomes a suggestion. Maybe I'll feel ambitious. Maybe I'll decide to stay in bed with a book.
- 8:30 AM: Another Breakfast. Fuel up. It matters.
- 9:30 AM: Visit a the Zoo, a place I can be sure I will get lost in. I'm prepared to have a lot of fun.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Another potential food adventure.
- 1:00 PM: Return to the lake for more boat sailing. Maybe the trip will be more fun this time!
- 4:00 PM: Pack. Say goodbye to room.
- 5:00 PM: Departure. The train journey back home will also be an adventure.
Emotional Reactions (aka, the Actual Truth):
- Anxiety: This entire trip is basically a giant anxiety attack disguised as a vacation. Will I get sick? Will I offend anyone? Will I accidentally buy a yak?
- Excitement: Despite the anxiety, I'm genuinely thrilled. I love exploring new places, tasting new foods, and experiencing new cultures. Even if that experience involves me accidentally eating something that tries to eat me back.
- Impatience: The wait is killing me! I want to be there now! This waiting game is torture!
- Self-Doubt: I really hope I packed the right shoes.
Imperfections & Ramblings:
- I'm terrible with directions. I will get lost. Accept it.
- I'm a terrible haggler. I'll probably overpay for everything.
- I am entirely too reliant on coffee. Expect major caffeine-fueled meltdowns.
- I'm a sucker for a good story. Expect me to gush about the locals' kindness and resilience (even if I'm the one causing some of the trouble).
- I am very, VERY prone to "ooh, shiny!" distractions. I could wander off at any moment.
- I'm going to take approximately one million photos. Prepare for your social media feeds to be flooded.
- I'm terrified of heights. Wish me luck on that.
- I will most likely forget something essential (charger, toothbrush, sanity).
Overall Goal: To survive. To learn. To eat really, really good food. And to come back with stories that will make my friends laugh for years to come. And maybe, just maybe, not to end up in a hospital. Wish me luck, travel gods!
Escape to Rishikesh Bliss: FabHotel Madhuban Inn Awaits!
Nainital & Summer King's: Your Questions (and My Rants!) Answered
Okay, okay, spill the tea! Is Summer King's REALLY as good as the hype? I’m seeing a lot of… *sparkle*.
Good question! And let's be real, "sparkle" can be… *suspicious*. Look, the marketing is slick. But here's the thing: Summer King's? It's… mostly good. Emphasis on MOSTLY.
I went in with my expectations sky-high, ready to be unimpressed. Figured it was just another hotel, you know, the usual. And alright, *some* of the "royal treatment" felt a little… forced. Like, the welcome drink? Delicious, but I swear the staff watched my EVERY sip. A bit unnerving when you just want to dive headfirst into relaxation, ya know? I felt like I was being judged on my cocktail consumption!
The views! They're always harping on the views. Are they actually amazing? Like, *wow* amazing?
Okay, the views? Yeah, they're *wow* amazing. Seriously. I booked the lake-facing room, and it's worth every single penny. The first morning, I opened the curtains, and well… let’s just say I choked on a bit of toast from pure, unadulterated beauty. The lake was shimmering, the mountains… I swear they were *smiling* at me. Corny, I know. But it was magical.
Now, the *imperfection*? One morning, the mist was so thick you could barely see your hand in front of your face. Panic! But then, as if on cue, the sun burst through and, BAM, breathtaking vista. So, yeah. The views are real. Nature, bless her. Just… be prepared for the occasional cloud-induced existential crisis. It's part of the deal.
What about the food? I live to eat. Tell me the truth!
The food… this is where my opinions get *very* complicated. The breakfast buffet? Solid. Standard Indian breakfast fare, with some surprisingly good pastries. They had these little *kulfi* popsicles that were my downfall. I ate like, five. Judge me, I don't care.
Lunch and dinner… it's a mixed bag. Some days, brilliant! One night, I had the butter chicken, and it was pure heaven. Another, I ordered this pasta dish. Let's just say it wasn't exactly *Italian* Italian. A bit… *unique*. The chef certainly had… an interesting take on Italian cuisine. I choked it down, though, because, well, I was STARVING.
My advice? Stick to the local dishes. Those are generally pretty darn good. And maybe, just maybe, *don’t* order the pasta.
Is it family-friendly? I have kids... (God help me.)
Yes! Mostly. I saw *tons* of families there. The staff is generally super helpful with kids, and there's a little play area. But honestly, the real family-friendliness depends entirely on *your* kids.
I witnessed a full-blown meltdown in the lobby one afternoon (not my kids, THANK GOD). The poor kid was screaming, and the parents were visibly mortified. The staff handled it with grace, but… yeah. Nainital might be beautiful, but meltdowns are universal. Bring earplugs, and maybe a large supply of bribes (ahem, I mean, snacks).
What about the service? Is it truly "royal"?
Ugh, "royal." It's a bit of a stretch. The staff is generally very friendly and helpful. On the reception I was given fresh welcome drink and the check in was swift. But there were a few hiccups.
I had to call housekeeping *twice* to get my room cleaned one day. And one morning, the coffee at breakfast was lukewarm. I didn't make a fuss, but… lukewarm coffee is a cardinal sin, people!
But I'll say this: they try. They really do. And most of the staff seem genuinely interested in making you happy. Just don't expect perfection. Expect human beings, with the occasional human error.
So, overall: Would you recommend it?
That depends. Are you looking for pure, unadulterated perfection? Then maybe not. You'll nitpick. You'll find flaws. You'll be disappointed by the lukewarm coffee.
But if you're looking for a beautiful location, mostly good food, decent service, and the chance to escape the everyday… then YES. Absolutely. You'll remember the views. You'll laugh about the pasta. And you might, just might, feel a little bit…royal. (Or at least, like you've got a decent tan after a few days.) Just go. Pack your sunscreen and your sense of humour, and prepare for a good time.
Okay, okay, but *specifically* about the spa? My muscles are screaming for mercy after that hiking.
The spa… ah, the spa. This one is a bit of a mixed bag, folks. The setting is lovely, all calming music and soft lighting and the smell of something expensive. Very zen. Until you get into the massage room, that is.
I got the "Royal Bliss" package, which involved, like, a full body massage, a facial… the works. And the masseuse? Bless her heart, she was trying. Truly. But it felt like she was maybe… learning on the job. A few times, I swear, she nearly dislocated my shoulder. And the facial? Let's just say my skin was red for a solid day afterwards. It was less "Royal Bliss" and more "Royal Pain". But they did give me a complimentary cup of ginger tea afterward, so, you know, silver linings, people.
What's the one thing you would change about Summer King's?
