Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa Uttarakhand

An incredibly hostel. Location is superbly situated on the Ganges, and the construction is aesthetically built into the landscape. The main structure (where we stayed) is surrounded by smaller outbuildings with further accommodation nearer the river and spa. The room was very comfortable with a balcony and large bathroom (no bath, but big shower). The restaurant (everyone eats there as nothing else nearby) is good with a large selection of Indian and western food. Likewise at breakfast which is sumptuous, and plentiful. The spa is very nice too, and apart from some treatments we had (my partner thought they were better than I did), there are many meditation and yoga sessions on a complimentary basis. A decent afternoon tea is also complimentary. The service was exceptional (apart from our experience with reception staff who I thought were officious and with poor English to understand us). The restaurant staff couldn’t have done more from the Executive chef who visited us several times, to the senior head waiters down to the individual waiters. All were so pleasant, so courteous, so professional and so warm. A special call out to the housekeeping staff. We never met them (a sign of a good hotel), but there cleaning of the bedrooms and turndown service were exceptional. Often overlooked in reviews, a special mention out goes to them, and I hope the hotel read this and pass this on to them. So, apart from the small niggle about reception staff, it was a perfect place to stay and one of the top 10 resorts I’ve stayed in after more than 50 years of world travel.

The resort is expensive but worth every penny . It is far away from Rishikesh town and superbly located on the banks of the Ganges . Our rooms overlooked the river as did the restaurant where we enjoyed breakfast and lunch . The staff is extremely knowledgeable about local mythology and folklore , very friendly and attentive to all our needs . Rooms are large and have all modern amenities .