Interaction with CEO of Niraamaya Retreats, Kerala- India

Pool at Kovalam

Destination-dining-at-beach Kovalam

One of my close relative visited resort of Niraamaya Retreats for two days in Kovalam and was all out for them. He wanted to be there again not for a day or two but for full two weeks and just relax there.

Coincidentally, I got an opportunity to interact with the CEO of this chain. So, I grabbed it. This would give me the perspective of providers of  hospitality.

So, I will share my dialogue with Manu Rishi Guptha, the CEO of Niraamaya retreats.

Here you go! Below are few excerpts:

Niraamaya-luxury-wellness-center

Room-view-outside Thekkady

Nidhi: What is unique about Niraamaya Retreats?
Manu: Each property of Niraamaya Retreats is a collection of small private retreats focussed on wellness more than the Business. We are providers of wholistic and great experiences managing happy times for Indian and foreign clientals.

There is a great emphasis on locations of our retreats. All are spectacular. The way setting is done is to provide luxury through space. Example , our Kovalam property has 31 acres of area and 31 rooms. So, you can say almost an acre is to a room. The setting is a fusion of traditional and contemporary architecture.

Nidhi: How do you ensure personal touch to guests to generate long term relationships?

Manu: There is a full blown in-house training that is provided to our employees. It is to inculcate a culture in them as to how to conduct themselves with guests, teach them how to be a perfect host to a first time traveller to India or other guests. A person who spends 9-10 days on an average would like to feel at home. So, we focus at delivering service in a way that leaves them with pleasant memories.

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Nidhi KM

When the sun rose at Sarangkot...

...everyone chirped at the top of their voices to see the divine scene at the moment!

View on the way to Sarangkot

Refreshing view on the way to Sarangkot

Well, Sarangkot is a small sleepy village and a hill station in Gandaki Zone , located approx 5 kms from lakeside , Pokhara. At a height of 1592 meters , it is considered one of the most scenic spots in Pokhara , renowned for its spectacular sunrise in the backdrop of Annapurna range of Great Himalyas.

The beauty of Sarangkot Sunrise lies in its panoramic view of the Dhaulagiri (8167 met), Annapurna Range including Machhapuchchre – “Fish-Tail” Mountain (6997 met) along with Annapurmna II (7937 met) and III peaks.

Some time before sunrise

At the sunrise , Glowing up of snow capped peaks of Annapurna Himalyan range creates a spectacular view and certainly a most memorable one. On other side it offers view of Pokhara Valley and Feva lake.

The most thrilling part of the scenic beauty is the view of majestic Himalyas reflecting sunrise , as most peaks facing sun glow with sunlight as sun rises.

The peaks started glowing as we could slowly see the sun in it’s complete rounded form. It was a spectacular view and certainly a memorable one , as all of us were mesmerized by Machhapuchchhre and Annapurna glowing peaks.

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Nidhi KM

Golden sky

Sun peeping through clouds

How we planned our fantastic trip to Nepal

Nepal trip was one of the most memorable trips in my lifetime. We planned it in October holiday season keeping pleasant weather conditions in mind. We took a spicejet flight and reached Kathmandu comfortably in evening.

Kathmandu seemed to be a very busy city. Although we reached there during Nepali famous festival- Vijay Dashain and most of working class in Nepal was out on vacation. Even then the city was crowded.

We headed straight to our hotel Manang in Thamel, tourist hub of Kathmandu.

Thamel Market

Buddha Air flight

As soon as we stepped out of our hotel in Thamel , I got a amazing feel of the city in the evening with livewire resturants , live music and happening crowd. It was a pleasure to enjoy evening at this place full of life and happiness.

The tallest of all- Mt. Everest

Next morning, we went for once in a lifetime experience of Mountain Flight. It was a pleasant and clear morning and we reached Nepal domestic airport and boarded Buddha Air flight. What followed was an eternal experience of viewing Mount Everest and Himalyan ranges from close, which I had actually never dreamt of.

This set the tone of my wonderful and memorable Nepal trip.

By the river Marshyangdi

Mesmerizing view

We did some shopping in Thamel and moved on to our next destination , Pokhara.

The road trip to Pokhara was outstanding and piturestique. It was alongside Marshyandi river and kids enjoyed the road trip. We reached Pokhara by evening and had snacks at our Hotel Landmark's rooftop with a majestic view of “Machhapuchchhre or Fish Tail Mountain” and Feva Lake. Those were some cherishable moments of my life. Actually, fate of a trip also depends a lot on the accommodation one chooses. One we chose at Pokhara was good.

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Nidhi KM

Hotel review - The Gateway, Agra- India

The gateway hotel in Agra is a five star property of the Taj group. A property where one can relax while enjoying the view of Taj Mahal from the room. It’s one of the most popular high end hotels in Agra offering a unique view of the Incredible Taj Mahal from the room itself. It was this fact for which we booked our rooms in this hotel when we visited the Taj.

We went on a short trip on Republic day to visit the Taj. After a swift journey on expressway we reached Agra by noon and checked in. The drive way was good enough. The hotel was totally booked.

Interiors at Lobby

Lobby

Sit out

As we entered, a jazzy lobby welcomed us. Kids were happy to see the hotel. Lobby was glittering with interiors and was spark less clean. Staff was attentive and prompt.

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Nidhi KM

Marine Interpretation Center , Port Blair

Marine Interpretation Center

Various marine species

Marine Interpretation Center at Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a small museum on marine lives. There are only two Marine Interpretation Centers in India. The other one is in Tamil Nadu near Rameshwaram.

This center provides information of various species of Marine life. Colourful panels and displays augment the understanding of species which a normal visitor is not able to see in a day's time.

This place is a must visit as it adds to knowledge of Marine Life. Students, scientists and researchers can definitely benefit from this museum.

Corals and other marine life

Blue coloured coral

Display of flora and fauna under water

Spectacular view

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nidhi KM

World Heritage Site, Bhaktapur, Nepal

Bhaktapur is an ancient Newar city , located in Bhaktapur district in Bagmati Zone. It is approx 8 kms from Kathmandu International airport.

It is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich culture,temples and has a best preserved palace courtyards. Also known as Bhadgaon (City of Devotees ) or Khwopa (in Nepali – wearing masks which refer to masks worn by Deities) , It is popular for various forms of mask danced based on life of Gods and Godesses.

Bhaktapur is an old city center in Nepal with its magnificent wooden, stone and metal architecture. See the intricate carvings.

Remarkable wooden work

Wooden carvings

It’s a living meuseum as most of the inhabitants are still Newars, whose males have a distinct style of wearing Bhadgaunle Topi (Nepali Cap).

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Nidhi KM

Interesting work

Vatsala Temple

Chill out with kids at Re Cafe, Delhi- India…Restaurant review

Re- Cafe which has a theme of Refresh, Rejuvinate, Retreat is a dining cafe in Ambiance Mall,1st floor, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

Ambiance

It had a different jazzy ambiance from outside. There were few tables at the entrance overlooking the lobby of Mall.

Outside sitting

Cafe seemed to have utilized the space optimally and judicially as there was no disturbance to guests at all. Live DJ was playing jazzy numbers. Overall atmosphere was refreshing.

Innovative seating with cycle tyres as the base of table

To the right of entrance door, was a table with 3 cycle tyres as the base. It was a different concept specially to lure kids.We visited this Cafe on Children's day. I had known through reviews about kids zone in Re Cafe.

To the opposite of this section, there was a separate area and seating arrangement for kids. Wooden stairs with wooden slabs in the middle were fixed for kids to play and eat.

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Nidhi KM