Escape to Paradise: ASHUTOSH HOME STAY, Faizabad, India
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. Because we're about to dive headfirst into the chaotic, beautiful, and hopefully-not-too-sanitized world of Escape to Paradise: ASHUTOSH HOME STAY in Faizabad, India. This isn't your sterile hotel review, folks. This is a vibe check. My vibe check. Prepare for a journey, because I'm not holding back.
Alright, let's start with… the basics. You know, the boring stuff…
Accessibility & Safety: The Essentials (that frankly, are REALLY important, but let's get them over with!)
- Accessibility: I'm going to level with you - the details here are kinda… vague. They mention "facilities for disabled guests," but without specifics. So, if you're a wheelchair user, CALL AHEAD. Seriously. Don't just roll in expecting paradise. This is India, after all. Things can be delightfully… unstructured.
- Cleanliness & Safety (Post-Covid): Okay, now we're talking! The place sounds like a sanitizing zealot's wet dream. Anti-viral cleaning products? Daily disinfection? Individually-wrapped food options? WHOA. They've got it all. Staff are trained in safety protocols, they're using professional-grade sanitizing services, even room sanitization opt-out available (like you even have a choice!). Plus, hand sanitizer and physical distancing of at least 1 meter. I'll say it again - they're really going the extra mile! This actually feels reassuring. Considering…the world.
- Safety & Security: 24-hour front desk, Security [24-hour], CCTV in common areas & outside, fire extinguishers, smoke alarms. It's good to know someone's watching your back. Especially when you're in a new place.
Okay, now we get to the juicy bits… Leisure, Fun, and Feeling Like a Human Being!
- Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Swimming pool? Pool with a view? Wait… are we talking about the same place? Because I read that and immediately pictured myself, cocktail in hand (more on that later), gazing out… at something beautiful. The Spa/sauna, Spa are there for relaxation. But let's be real, the pool is what you need for some real relaxation!
- Fitness Center: Oh, look! Also a gym/fitness center. Ok, if you need to work out maybe. But let's save the gym for your hometown and let yourself explore the wonders that surround you.
- Things to do: Kids facilities. Babysitting service. Family/Child friendly. Proposal spot if you're planning on popping the question.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Because You Gotta Eat!
- Restaurants: Okay, this is where it gets interesting. They have Asian cuisine, international cuisine, with a vegetarian restaurant. Breakfast [buffet] and breakfast service. If you're used to a certain comfort level let's see if you can try to explore a variety of options.
- Bar? Poolside bar? YES PLEASE! This is where it really goes from "home stay" to "escape to paradise". The Happy hour, coffee/tea in restaurant, coffee shop, and bottle of water are just a plus.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and Some That Don't…)
- The Good Stuff: Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal (essential!), concierge, daily housekeeping (thank GOD), doorman, dry cleaning, elevator (thank you, sweet baby Jesus!), facilities for disabled guests (again, call!), food delivery, laundry service, luggage storage, safety deposit boxes. All the usual suspects.
- The Less-Exciting Stuff: Audio-visual equipment for special events (whoop-de-doo). Invoice provided (yawn). Meeting/banquet facilities (for the corporate escapees).
Rooms: Home Sweet (Temporary) Home
- The Essentials: Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, complimentary tea, daily housekeeping, desk, free bottled water, hair dryer, in-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, ironing facilities, linens, mini bar, non-smoking, private bathroom, refrigerator, satellite/cable channels, seating area, separate shower/bathtub, shower, slippers, smoke detector, soundproofing, telephone, toiletries, towels, wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], window that opens. Basically, all the things you want.
- The "Nice to Haves": Bathtub, blackout curtains (bliss!), coffee/tea maker (essential!), desk, extra long bed (YES!), interconnecting room(s) available (if you're bringing the whole crew).
My Absolutely Honest Take:
Okay, here's the deal. Escape to Paradise: ASHUTOSH HOME STAY sounds promising. The focus on cleanliness and safety is a HUGE win in my book. The pool area and food offerings are actually exciting. It looks like a place I could actually unwind. But, and this is a big BUT…
My Personal Takeaway: THE POOL.
Forget everything else for a moment. I'm picturing it now… The sun, the water, a cold drink in my hand… the view! That photo they have with the pool, it looks like it's overlooking something peaceful. I am sold. If the pool is half as good as it looks in the pictures, I'm going to be spending most of my time there.
The Big Problem:
The lack of specifics on accessibility is my biggest concern. But, I would definitely want to verify before booking.
The Verdict (and a Slightly Aggressive Offer):
Ashutosh Home Stay sounds like a great basecamp for exploring Faizabad. It's not perfect, but the potential for relaxation, the focus on safety, and that dang pool… it's tempting.
So, Here's My Offer (and I'm putting my money where my mouth is…):
Book your stay at Escape to Paradise: ASHUTOSH HOME STAY this month and get a FREE upgrade to a pool-view room (if available!) PLUS a complimentary welcome drink. Just to top it off, I'll throw in a complimentary massage.
But here's the catch: When you book, send them a message and mention this review.
This is your chance, to have a real escape.
Remember, check about accessibility before you book. Otherwise… BOOK IT BEFORE I DO!
Uncover the Hidden Gem: Capital O Bidisha Digha, India!Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we’re about to embark on a rollercoaster of a trip to Ashutosh Home Stay in Faizabad. I’m talking messy hair, questionable food choices, and more emotional whiplash than a Bollywood action scene. Here we go!
Ashutosh Home Stay: The Faizabad Fiasco (That I Secretly Loved… Probably)
Day 1: Arrival and Initial Panic
- 10:00 AM: Arrived in Faizabad. Let me tell you, the train ride from wherever the hell I came from was a saga. Delayed trains. Questionable samosas. The constant, rhythmic snoring of the guy across from me. By the time I disembarked, I was a sweaty, rumpled mess. My optimistic self was screaming internally.
- 11:00 AM: Found a rickshaw driver who looked like he'd seen a thousand years of history in his eyes. He haggled like a pro and barely spoke English. Success! (I think).
- 12:00 PM: Reached Ashutosh Home Stay. Ah, the promised land! Or… maybe more like "slightly dilapidated but charming, hopefully clean" land. It was charming. In a "rustic, grandma's-house-that-time-forgot" kind of way. The reception? Let's just say the "welcome drink" was lukewarm and tasted suspiciously of… something.
- 12:30 PM: Met Ashutosh, the owner. He’s got this perpetually sunny disposition that’s borderline unsettling. Like, does this guy ever have a bad day? He showed me to my room. Okay, the bed looked…iffy. But the view! Overlooking what I later learned was a bustling local market. Score one for the good side of life.
- 1:00 PM: Ordered lunch. My stomach was rumbling like a grumpy tiger. Chicken Biryani. My inner food critic warned me. I held my breath and took a bite. It was…surprisingly decent. Maybe I was just starving. Or maybe Ashutosh's mom is a culinary wizard.
- 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Attempted a nap. Failed miserably. The sounds of Faizabad—the honking, the chatter, the occasional screech of a monkey—were relentless. Gave up. Explored the home stay a bit - spotted some truly interesting art. Took some photos, I'm guessing I might post them later.
- 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Wandered through the local market! This was the absolute best, I'm telling you that. Got a henna tattoo from a giggly girl who kept calling me "Madam." It was beautiful. And I swear, I saw a goat wearing a tiny hat. I am not lying. The smells, the colors, the utter organized chaos of it all–bliss! The constant stares were a bit much, I admit.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the home stay. This time, the food was…less impressive. But I was so energized from the market I simply couldn't focus on the food.
- 8:00 PM: Sat on the rooftop, looking at all the lights of Faizabad, thinking about my life, and laughing to myself.
Day 2: Temples, Tea, and Teenage Angst (Mine, Not the Teenagers')
- 7:00 AM: Woke up to the sound of a thousand more horns. Decided to embrace the noise. Had tea with Ashutosh. He told more stories. All of them were cheerful. It's exhausting.
- 8:00 AM: Visited a local temple or two. Smelly incense and a thousand bells were ringing in my ears. Honestly, I felt a bit lost at first. All the rituals, the people, the devotion…it was overwhelming. But then again, I also was able to feel the realness of Faizabad.
- 9:00 AM: Some of the best moments… Tried the city's tea. It felt divine. The sun was shining, and I felt like I was in a film. Except for all the scooters.
- 10:00 AM: Back to Ashutosh Home Stay. This time I was just alone, and I realized how wonderful it all was. How I felt here, maybe for the first time.
- 11:00 AM: Wandered the market again. This time to pick up some fabric.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Chicken Biryani again.
- 2:00 PM: Realized my henna was starting to fade. Felt a little sad about it, but also it was a great reminder that it's all temporary.
- 3:00-4:00 PM: Read a book on the rooftop. Just chilling. It was fantastic.
- 4:00 PM: Went to the market again. This time I bought some beautiful bangles from a very old man.
- 5:00 PM: Returned to Ashutosh Home Stay. Dinner again.
- 8:00 PM: Attempted to write in my journal. But I could see the rooftop party happening on the roof, so I went up there and had some chats with the locals.
Day 3: Departure and the Sadness I Didn't Expect
The next day went by quickly. The food was pretty good this time. I played with the locals more. I walked the market again.
10:00 AM: I had to leave. I was sad. I'd gotten so used to life's messiness. I'm pretty sure I shed a few tears as I hugged Ashutosh (who, despite his relentlessly cheerful demeanor, felt genuinely sad too). He gave me a bag of what I think were snacks. They tasted of…something. But I didn’t care. I was just taking it all in. I'm so glad I'm getting old.
11:00 AM: Said my goodbyes and stumbled into the rickshaw. The ride to the train station felt strangely melancholy.
12:00 PM: Waited for the train, ate the questionable snacks, and watched the world go by. I was happy to go, but also I wouldn't mind staying.
Here's the thing: Ashutosh Home Stay wasn’t perfect. It was a little rough around the edges. Maybe a lot. But it was real. It was an experience. And right now, the memory of Faizabad, the market, the goat in a hat (maybe I imagined that?), the people, the chaos…it all feels a little more precious than crystal chandeliers and perfectly-ironed sheets.
Would I go back? Hell yes. I'd pack more snacks, though. And maybe invest in some noise-canceling headphones. And definitely a better mosquito repellent. And… well, you get the idea. Farewell, Faizabad. You glorious, messy, unforgettable place!
Escape to Paradise: Your Luxurious Canungra Hotel Awaits!