Remember the song ILU ILU? Remember the film Saudagar? Alright then, you must remember Raj Kumars house, the palatial building, the sprawling gradens and the beautiful environs. Remember the recent Hawa and the ambience around it. That is Manali Resorts for you.
Like many other resorts in and around Manali, this one too is on the banks of Beas and its free flow. Although less expansive than Apple Valley Resorts, it has its own charm. It is by far the most modern in architecture. Although it shot to fame with Saudagar, it has since maintained its standards with its exquisite hosting of the various festivals and playing host to many film units. Being a private hotel and first class one, it is a bit expensive but with the services provided it is not bad. Certainly among the top 10 of the area.
Here is a quick checklist:
Rent/ Charges: Rs. 3, 000 to 5, 000 per day for suites
Rent/Charges: Rs. 1, 500 to 2, 500 per day for rooms
rents vary according to season, best to visit in August September or January for snow.
Rent Includes: Stay, breakfast and dinner with one time snacks
Rooms: Well done
Architecture: Somewhat city/ business like but relaxed and somewhat spooky
Adults per room: 2 only but additional beds can be put up for children at extra cost
Check In and Out Timings: Not before 5 AM and not after 11 PM
Cuisines Available: Indian (read Punjabi), Mughlai, Chineese, Continental, Himachali, Tibetian, Kashmiri, South Indian and one special depending upon the festival season.
Facilities:
Taxi can be hired by Hotel on prior request
24 hour coffee shops, doctor, baby sitting, money exchange etc.
Well furnished room with heating facility in nights and winters
Some outdoor sports and indoor sports as well
Conference room facilities mostly for film prodn. units
Drawbacks:
Service is not that quick
English is the medium of communication only
Outdoors not big enough
Cuisine festivals are rather whacko
No discounts
Usually runs into many months advance
Distance from Manali : 5kms on Kullu Manali Highway
Distance from Kullu : around 30 kms
Approach: On the main Highway, so easy to access
Nearest Airport: Bhuntar, less than 50 kms. Supports only small aircrafts
Offices: Delhi, Shimla, Chandigarh or contact any HPTC office spread across the globe. Online reservation is also available, but it is best to contact them through HPTC or private tour operators.
Rating: 4 star
Overall it is a good place to stay and if you are lucky you might just bump into film unt during your stay. The staff is cordial although a bit lazy and the food usually is too cosmopoliton in nature (read diet and masala less). Still, it is famous locale and away from city but not too far.
P.S. Dont look out of the window at night, else you might just feel spooked.