Ashraya Puri: India's BEST Super Hotel? (You Won't Believe This!)
Ashraya Puri: India's BEST Super Hotel? (You Won't Believe This!) - My Honest (and Slightly Messy) Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on Ashraya Puri. Is it really India's "BEST" super hotel? Well, that's a big claim, isn't it? Let's just say… it's something. And I'm here to give you the raw, unfiltered, and probably slightly rambling truth, so you can decide if it's your something.
First Impressions: The Arrival & Accessibility – Not Bad, But…
Okay, let's be real. Getting to Ashraya Puri wasn't exactly a smooth ride. The airport transfer (thankfully they offer one! – Airport transfer) was fine, uneventful even, which is a win in itself in India. The hotel itself… well, the exterior felt a little… dated. Like, maybe the last time they re-did the facade was when my grandma was young-ish. But hey, don't judge a book by its cover, right?
Accessibility: This is where things got interesting. The website claims (and I'm using that word deliberately) it's accessible. Elevator, check! Facilities for disabled guests, check! But navigating it with genuine access needs? Hmmm… Let's just say I saw a few stairs hiding in unexpected places, especially near the pool area (more on that later). So, Wheelchair accessible? Needs improvement. Things to do Access was okay, if you are good with stairs.
The Room: My Personal Sanctuary (Mostly)
Stepping into my room was a relief. It was clean, which is HUGE in this context. Cleanliness and safety seemed a priority, and that’s a major check in my book. They even offered Room sanitization opt-out available, which I appreciate when you’re getting used to a new environment- kudos there.
Now, let's talk comfort. The Bed? Pure bliss. Seriously, the Extra long bed was glorious. I could stretch out like a starfish and still have space. I practically lived in the bathrobes provided. Complimentary tea? Yes, please! Air conditioning in all the rooms? A necessity, people! Blackout curtains? My sleep was not disturbed!
But, and there's always a but, the Internet access – wireless was spotty. Like, "connecting" and then "disconneting" so often you'd think it was playing hard to get! Luckily there was also Internet access – LAN, so I just did that instead, which was a great back up.
Spa & Relaxation: Poolside Paradise (With Stairs!), Sauna, and Steamroom - Pure Bliss. Except…
Okay, this is where Ashraya Puri really shines. The Pool with view is stunning. Seriously, the infinity pool looks out over… well, something beautiful. I spent an entire afternoon simply floating around, which was the BEST way to relax. The Sauna and Steamroom? Heavenly! The Spa itself was immaculate. The therapists were skilled, the atmosphere calming. Had a Body scrub and a Massage. Pure bliss, although, the only thing that would complete it would be a Foot Bath.
Food, Glorious Food: A Culinary Adventure (Mostly in the Right Direction)
Okay, the food at Ashraya Puri was… interesting. Let's be honest, the Asian breakfast hit or miss. I wouldn't recommend it. The Breakfast [buffet] was decent, lots of options! Especially the pastries!
The Restaurants were decent. Plenty of International cuisine in restaurant, which was good. The Vegetarian restaurant was amazing, and I actually don't eat that much vegetarian food. I was impressed!
Services and Conveniences: The Good, The Great, and the "Meh"
Services and conveniences were pretty standard. The Concierge was helpful. Daily housekeeping was efficient, though sometimes they were a little too efficient – like, my stuff was moved a tiny bit and I couldn't find my phone charger. The Laundry service was excellent and fast, so that's a win. Dry cleaning was also super quick.
For the Kids: Family Friendly, or Just Tolerant?
I don't have kids, so I can't personally vouch for this. But, they have a Babysitting service and Kids facilities. So, it could be a good option for families who can appreciate the accessibility. I did however, see some kids running around in the pool, so it's safe to say it's family friendly.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Relatively Safe
Given the current global climate, this matters! Ashraya Puri clearly takes Cleanliness and safety seriously. I saw them using Anti-viral cleaning products and Daily disinfection in common areas. They had Hand sanitizer everywhere and also I did appreciate the Staff trained in safety protocol. You can also opt for Room sanitization opt-out available, which I appreciated. You did get a sense that the hotel was doing everything it could to keep you safe.
The Quirks, The Imperfections, and the "You Won't Believe This!" Moments
Okay, every place has its quirks. Here's the stuff that made me laugh, scratch my head, or both:
- The Elevator Music: It was the same, repetitive tune every single time. It got into my head like a bad earworm.
- The "Essential Condiments": I'm not sure what's considered essential in their book, but I was pleasantly surprised by not one, but two types of chillies!
- The "Couple's Room": I didn't experience this but I assume it makes for a good time.
- The Check-in/out [express]: I really appreciated this, especially after a long flight!
The Verdict: Is Ashraya Puri "India's BEST Super Hotel?"
Well, no. Not exactly. But it's definitely a solid choice, especially if you're looking for a relaxing spa experience and a clean, comfortable stay. It’s not perfect, it has its flaws, but it’s trying. It’s got so much potential, and in time, I think it could truly become a hotel that lives up to its name.
My Final Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars!
The Offer: Experience the Almost Perfection!
Book your escape today and receive:
- 15% Discount: on your stay when you book directly through our website!
- FREE upgrade : Get a room with a view!
- Complimentary spa treatment: Enjoy a relaxing massage or body scrub (your choice!).
- Free Breakfast: Enjoy a special breakfast from our restaurants
Don't wait! This offer is available for a limited time only and the bookings are filling up fast!
Click here and Book Now! (Insert fake website link here)
(P.S. Remember to pack your dancing shoes, and possibly a portable charger for your phone!)
Escape to Paradise: Libong Beach Resort, Trang, Thailand - Your Dream Vacation Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's rigid travel itinerary. This is Super Hotel Ashraya Puri, India, unfiltered and messy, coming right at ya!
Subject: Puri Pilgrimage – Pray for Me (and My Stomach)
Day 1: Arrival – And the Dust Settles… Literally.
- 10:00 AM: Arrive at Bhubaneswar Airport. Okay, first impressions: HOT. Like, "fry an egg on the tarmac" hot. The air hits you like a humid, spicy blanket the moment you step out. Finding the pre-booked car… let's just say it involved a lot of pointing, some frantic phone calls (lost my SIM card already – rookie mistake), and a driver who may or may not have understood a word of English. But hey, we loaded up!
- 10:45 AM: Drive from Bhubaneswar to Puri. The drive is a riot of colour, chaos, and cows. Cows everywhere! Just casually strolling along the road, like they own the place. Seriously, you've got to respect their chill.
- 12:30 PM: Arrive at Super Hotel Ashraya. First impressions? "Super" is a bit generous. It's… functional. The lobby is a bit gloomy, but the staff are all smiles and genuinely, sweetly helpful. Check-in takes a while (Indian time, you know?), but the view from the balcony is… a glimpse of the sea, at least. Let's be honest, the ocean looks better from afar.
- 1:30 PM: Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Ordered something "safe" - fried rice. Mistake! It's not bad, exactly… it's just somehow both incredibly greasy and flavourless. Seriously, how do you mess up fried rice? I’m already a little wary of what my stomach is thinking.
- 2:30 PM: Room exploration. The room is clean-ish. The bed is… a bed. The air conditioning is a roaring beast that’s either freezing or lukewarm. There’s a faint smell of… something. Could be anything. Don't think about it, don't think about it!
- 3:30 PM: Beach walk. Okay, this is what I came for. The Bay of Bengal. Beautiful… and also filthy. The sand is a bit… gritty. The water is… brown-ish at the shore. But the energy! The vendors, the families, the music, the endless activity! I'm trying to block out the literal heaps of trash. Finding a little shade is a life-saver.
- 5:00 PM: Beachside juice. Grab a fresh coconut (finally, something good!), and sit and watch the sunset. This… is pretty damn magical. Letting all the chaos wash over me, feeling pretty damn happy.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. I'm going native. Trying a local thali at a roadside restaurant that looks like it's been there since the dawn of time. The food is spicy (really spicy!), and I can't identify half of what I'm eating, but it's… delicious? (Or maybe I'm just starving.) I'm pretty sure I was sweating for the next two hours.
- 9:00 PM: Crawl into bed. Exhausted, overwhelmed, and slightly terrified of what tomorrow holds for my gut. I'm also getting the hang of this "Indian time" thing. It’s actually kinda lovely. Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey.
Day 2: The Jagannath Temple – And Holy Cow, It's Intense.
- 7:00 AM: Wake up early, because that's what you do when you're jet-lagged and slightly worried about Delhi Belly.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. "Safe" is again the name of the game. Poori, and a really bad coffee
- 9:00 AM: The Jagannath Temple. Okay, this is where the real adventure begins. This is not a tourist attraction. It's a vibrant, chaotic, and incredibly moving place of worship. The crowds are immense, the energy is palpable, the colors are overwhelming. I got herded through the crowds, and a "guide" appeared. I'm not sure what he was saying half the time, but I had to take it because he seemed like he owned me.
- 9:30 AM: The temple itself. The sheer scale of it, the intricate carvings, the chanting, the smells… it's all utterly mind-blowing. I felt a bit like an outsider, but also deeply humbled. You can't really photograph much, and you certainly can't touch anything you're not supposed to. The energy of everyone is truly amazing.
- 11:00 AM: More Temple. It's hard to explain the feeling, but you need to experience it. I made it though, feeling slightly dazed. There are so many other things to see and do. It felt a little bit like being in a river.
- 12:30 PM: More food. Decided to go to a local shop. I got a very weird thing. I have no idea what it was, but I ate it. I survived.
- 1:30 PM: A slow afternoon. I'm exhausted. I went back to the hotel and just relaxed. It was absolute bliss.
- 2:30 PM: Back to the beach. I found a space to sit and just watch the ocean. It was amazing.
- 4:00 PM: Finding more local food. This time I was more successful. It was still super spicy (is that even a word?!), but so good.
- 6:00 PM: Watching the sunset again. Feeling at peace, and I started to think about how wonderful this place is. I'm feeling so positive.
- 8:00 PM: Bed. I slept for a long long time.
Day 3: Departure – Leaving a Piece of My Heart (and My Stomach)
- 7:00 AM: Woke up and had really nice breakfast. So much better.
- 8:00 AM: Last beach walk. I was sad to leave. I really want to stay, but I have to leave. I walked and walked.
- 10:00 AM: Checked out of Super Hotel Ashraya. I'm going to miss the guys at the front desk.
- 11:00 AM: Drive to the airport. The drive back was okay.
- 1:00 PM: Plane. I'm on my way out. I have to say goodbye to this amazing place.
- …
Quirky Observations and Emotional Wrecking:
- The cows: They're basically traffic gods. They just saunter wherever they want. They’re very used to this. I admire it.
- The food: Spicy. Very, very spicy. Make friends with curd.
- The people: The friendliest, most welcoming people I've ever encountered. Even when I'm sweating and overwhelmed and slightly lost, someone always offers a smile and a helping hand.
- The dirt: It's everywhere. Embrace it.
- The experience: It was utterly amazing. I felt so moved. I will never ever forget this place.
Final Thoughts:
Super Hotel Ashraya Puri? Well, it was…an experience. Not luxurious, not perfect, but utterly real. Puri itself? A riot of the senses. Come prepared to get your hands dirty, your taste buds challenged, and your heart completely blown away. And bring Imodium. Seriously. You’ll thank me later.
P.S. I'm pretty sure I saw a lizard in my room. Don't tell anyone. Just… don't tell anyone.
P.P.S. Would I go back? In a heartbeat. Just maybe with a stronger stomach (and maybe a hazmat suit).
Sarasota's Art Ovation Hotel: Your Dream Getaway Awaits!
So, what *is* this whole "[Your Topic Here - e.g., Crochet]" thing, anyway? Like, besides, you know, yarn and needles?
Oh, man. Where do I even *start*? Well, on the surface, it's a craft. You take yarn, you have this hook thingy, and you make...stuff. Scarves, blankets, amigurumi (those cute little stuffed animals), the whole shebang. But that's like saying a sunset is just the sun going down. It's *so* much more. For me, "[Your Topic Here - e.g., Crochet]" is therapy. It's a creative outlet, a way to zone out, and a way to make something with your own two hands. It's also, let's be honest, a source of immense frustration at times. More on that later... because, oh, the yarn chickens!
How did you *start* "[Your Topic Here - e.g., Crochet]"? Was it all unicorns and rainbows, or a disaster from the get-go?
Ugh, "unicorns and rainbows." I wish! I think I started [Your Topic Here - e.g., crochet] because I saw this, like, amazing blanket on Pinterest. Perfectly chunky stitches, gorgeous colors...It looked like the epitome of cozy. I figured, "I can totally do that!" Famous last words. The first 'thing' I attempted was a scarf. Let's just say it resembled a slightly-too-long, lumpy, asymmetrical worm. My stitches were so tight, my fingers were cramping. I nearly threw the whole mess out the window. But then... then I saw this video...
Okay, videos, you've got me. What are the best resources if you're just starting out? YouTube tutorials, or are books more your speed?
Okay, so, YouTube is your *friend*. Absolutely. Endless tutorials. I actually started with a channel called [Insert a legitimate Crochet tutorial name here]. Absolutely invaluable. She explained things in a way that finally clicked. I also found a book called [Insert a legitimate Crochet book Title here], which has fantastic stitch guides and some basic patterns. But honestly, the internet is amazing. Just search for "[Your Topic Here - e.g., Crochet] for beginners" and prepare to be overwhelmed by choices. Don't be afraid to try a few different teachers. What clicks for one person might not click for another. Find your vibe! I think I watched like, 20 videos before I finally understood how to hold the hook properly. And even now, I still sometimes forget and have to Google it.
What are the *hardest* parts about learning "[Your Topic Here - e.g., Crochet]", in your humble, completely expert opinion?
Oh, the HARD parts? Where do I begin? Besides, you know, the initial getting-yarn-twisted-into-knots phase? The biggest hurdle for me was definitely tension. Getting your stitches consistent is like herding cats. One minute they're all neat and tidy, the next they are wild and unruly, looking like a deranged version of what you were going for. It took me *ages* to get it right. And, oh! Reading patterns. They're written in this secret language of abbreviations and symbols that make me feel like I failed high school algebra. I still get confused on the reg. Speaking of which, frogging (ripping out stitches) is a necessary evil. It's soul-crushing, but you gotta do it. Trust me. Nobody wants a crooked scarf.
What about the supplies? Is it expensive to get started? I don't even have any gear.
Fortunately, It's *not* as bad as, say, getting into oil painting. You really only need a few things to get started. Yarn, of course. Buy some basic worsted weight cotton or acrylic to start. It's inexpensive and forgiving. Then, you'll need a [crochet] hook – get a set with different sizes! (They're not that spendy either). Scissors, a yarn needle (super important for weaving in ends), and a stitch marker or two. That's pretty much it! You can get a starter kit at most craft stores that includes all of this, which is a great way to go. I *highly* recommend starting small – don't go buying a ton of expensive yarn until you know if you even enjoy it. I speak from experience on this one! Then, one time, I went on a yarn-buying spree and got, like, 20 skeins of this beautiful, fluffy alpaca. It's heavenly... but I immediately realized I couldn't use it. That's because I hadn't mastered my tension, and it was too "splitty" for practice. Now I have to learn to make something *amazing* with it, or it'll be a HUGE waste. The moral of the story? Pace yourself!
Alright, I'm in. But what is the first thing I should make? I want something that's a *WIN*, you know?
Okay, so, I tried to make the perfect "first project" like, 3 different times. First off, I thought I'd be ambitious and start on a Granny Square blanket. Wrong. They're easier than they look, but still too difficult. Then, I tried a basic scarf. Fine. But soooooooo boring. Finally, I found the sweet spot: a washcloth! It's small, so you won't get bored. It's simple (mostly just single crochet stitches, which aren't that hard to learn). And it gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you're done and you can use it. Plus, if you mess it up? No big deal. You can cut your losses quickly and try again. Trust me. You'll get that first washcloth done and be, like, "YES! I MADE SOMETHING!" It's a great feeling. Or, if you are feeling really basic, the "dish towel" is even easier.
What's the biggest mistake you see beginners make?
Oh, I've seen it all! The biggest mistake? Trying to go too fast. You'll get frustrated. *Trust* me. The secret, the *real* secret to "[Your Topic Here - e.g., Crochet]" is to slow down and really watch what you're doing. Pay attention to your stitches. Don't just blindly churn away. Also, DON'T be afraid to frog! Seriously. Rip out those stitches and start again if it doesn't look good. It's better than ending up with a wonky mess that you'll never use. I *still* occasionally have to frog, even after all this time. And yeah, the other BIG one: Skipping counting stitches. That's like going to war without your armor! Nomadic Stays
