Escape to Paradise: Sra Hi-way Inn Awaits in Manali!

Sra Hi-way Inn Manali India

Escape to Paradise: Sra Hi-way Inn Awaits in Manali!

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this review of Escape to Paradise: Sra Hi-way Inn Awaits in Manali! is gonna be less pristine brochure and more… well, me. Prepare for a rollercoaster, alright? Let's get messy!

First off, Manali. Breathtaking, right? Jagged peaks clawing at the cotton candy sky… and that's where Sra Hi-way Inn is supposed to be located, right? But you know what? Sometimes, finding the darn place is a whole adventure in itself. (Accessibility score? Let's come back to that one, shall we?)

The Setup: Finding Your Happy Place (Or Not)

Okay, picture this: I'm lugging my suitcase, sweating like a pig in July (even though it wasn't July), and desperately trying to decipher Google Maps. (Seriously, the maps? They're almost more confusing than navigating rush hour in Mumbai!). Eventually finally I found it…

Accessibility & Getting Around (The Real Deal)

Speaking of getting around. Listen up, because this is important. Accessibility. Let's not sugarcoat it. Sra Hi-way Inn claims to have facilities for disabled guests. However…I am a bit disabled myself, having a bum knee, and it was doable, but wasn't perfect. It's doable but I'm not sure how friendly things are for proper wheelchair users. Elevators are a godsend!

Car Park [Free of Charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service: The parking situation was… pretty good, actually. Free parking is always a win. Car charging is a massive bonus if you're eco-conscious or have one, although I didn't see any electric charging stations. Taxis are readily available and honestly, you'll probably need them, considering Manali's… unique road layouts.
Airport transfer: Didn't use it, but good to know it's an option. Less schlepping your luggage!
Bicycle parking: Didn't see any, but maybe I missed it.
Elevator: Yes, thankfully!
Facilities for disabled guests: Supposedly available. Investigate before you book.

Cleanliness & Safety (The "Are We Safe?" Factor)

Alright, the COVID-19 era is a real thing. How did Sra Hi-way Inn handle the pandemic? Honestly? Pretty darn well.

Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They seemed to take this seriously. Sanitizer everywhere, staff masked up, everyone trying to stay as far away from each other as possible. Not a bad thing!
CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Felt safe, generally speaking. 24-hour security is always comforting, and the fire safety stuff was all present and accounted for. No complaints.

The Room: My Personal Fortress (Sort Of)

Okay, let's talk about my little haven. My room.

Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens.

Yeah… kind of a lot, right? Here’s my take: the room was… comfortable. The bed was divine. Seriously, a cloud. The blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in (because, who am I kidding, I needed to!). The Wi-Fi was decent, especially given the location. (Free internet is a serious win, especially if you're a digital nomad like me.) The bathroom was clean, and the hot water actually worked! (A huge win, believe me!)

Additional toilet: No.
Room decorations: Meh. Not amazing, but not terrible. Think functional, not fancy.

Food, Glorious Food! (And the Occasional Hiccup)

Alright, the food. One of the most important aspects of any travel experience, right?!

A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant.

Okay, so the breakfast buffet was… well, it was there. The food quality was adequate, but didn’t exactly knock my socks off. I went for the the western breakfast was average, but the Asian options, especially the momos! Oh, those momos! Oh, my god. I swear, I could have eaten a hundred of them. The flavor, the texture, the everything. These momos were the absolute HIGHLIGHT of the whole trip. Worth the trip, probably. Made up for any other minor hiccups. Breakfast takeaways were pretty solid.

Bottle of water: Always appreciated. Hydration is key!
Poolside bar: I didn't use this.
Room service: 24-hour, yesssss! Score!

Things To Do & Ways To Relax (The Pamper Factor)

Okay, so you came to Manali to chill out, right? Let's see how well Sra Hi-way Inn delivers on the R&R front.

Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor].

They had a pool, and the view was stunning! The sauna and massage looked tempting, but I didn’t use them.

Services and Conveniences (The Little Things)

Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Babysitting service, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.

This place is packed with services. I didn't try to find the shrine, but it's there. Contactless check in was great, and the concierge helpful. The elevator was a definite plus. Luggage storage was useful.

And Now, The Verdict (Drumroll Please!)

So, would I recommend Escape to Paradise: Sra Hi-way Inn Awaits in Manali!?!

Well… it's complicated.

The GOOD: Amazing internet, momos, and a comfortable bed. Plenty of included amenities and a beautiful view. Good safety features.

The NOT-SO-GOOD: Accessibility is advertised but needs to be investigated. Room decor isn't amazing. Food is decent, not mind-blowing.

The OVERALL EXPERIENCE: It's a solid hotel. It's not perfect, there's room for improvement, especially with the momos! (kidding, maybe). It's a good base for exploring Manali, and the views are worth the trip alone.

Quirky Anecdote: I have to tell you about the bathroom phone. It had an actual rotary dial! Seriously! That was the old school.

My Final Recommendation:

If you're looking for a comfortable stay with amazing views and need high-speed internet (Digital Nomads rejoice!), this could be your spot. It's not the fanciest hotel, but it's clean, safe, and the staff is lovely.

The Offer, Because I'm Feeling Generous

Ready to Escape to Paradise? Here's the deal:

**Book your stay at Sra Hi-way

Unbelievable Yufuin: Kahorinosato Hanamura's Hidden Beauty (Japan)

Book Now

Sra Hi-way Inn Manali India

Okay, strap in, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into my utterly chaotic and hopefully hilarious itinerary for Sra Hi-way Inn, Manali. Buckle up, because planning, for me, is less a rigid schedule and more…well, you’ll see.

Trip Title: "Manali Mayhem (and Maybe a Mountain or Two)" - A Solo Adventure (aka: Pray for my Sanity)

Date: October 26th - October 30th (ish) - Flexibility? What's That?

Accommodation: Sra Hi-way Inn - Pray to the travel gods it's not a complete dump. I'm picturing rustic charm mixed with maybe… a questionable plumbing situation. Fingers crossed for actual hot water.

Phase 1: Arrival & Mild Panic (October 26th)

Morning (ish): Arrive in Delhi. Oh, sweet merciful heavens. Airport chaos ALWAYS throws me. I’ll probably spend an hour trying to figure out which exit is the least likely to involve a swarm of taxi drivers. Then, the train to Chandigarh. The train. I've got visions of cramped seats, questionable snacks, and a symphony of snoring. (Prepare for a travel journal entry about the smell of chai. It's a whole thing for me.)
Afternoon (ish): Arrive in Chandigarh and then, the REAL adventure begins: The bus to Manali. Pray for no motion sickness. Pray for my bladder. Pray I didn't accidentally book the "budget friendly" bus with the questionable suspension. (Note to self: research bus seat options… or bring extra Dramamine & a prayer book.)
Evening (Dusk, probably): Finally, FINALLY, arrive in Manali! Locate Sra Hi-way Inn. Pray it looks like the pictures, and that the reviews about the "charming view" aren't just code for "you'll see the backside of a goat shed." Settle in. Unpack (key word being "attempt") Take a deep breath. Maybe… just maybe… order some momos. Fuel up for tomorrow's supposed hike.
Evening (night): wander out, looking for food, and the first sight is the place, i could eat all night.

Phase 2: Hiking Hysteria (October 27th)

Morning (early): Wake up. Resist the urge to stay in bed. (This is a monumental struggle for me.) Attempt to eat breakfast. My appetite is notoriously fickle at altitude. Force myself to drink water. Lots and lots of water.
Mid-morning: The Big Hike! (or, at least, a small hike, let's not get ahead of ourselves). I've got my eye on [Insert name of a local, slightly accessible trek here]. Pack a backpack with essentials: water bottle (large), snacks (because I get hangry), sunscreen (because mountains), a hat (to hide the post-hike hair), and a camera (because, Instagram).
Hiking (the actual thing): Okay, let's be honest. I'm not Bear Grylls. This is probably going to involve a lot of huffing and puffing. There will definitely be moments of doubt, probably a few near-falls, and guaranteed "OMG, is that a cloud? It looks like a giant fluffy… whatever!” moments. I will take approximately 10,000 pictures of the same view and probably trip over a rock. This is where my stream-of-consciousness will live for a while.
- Rambling Hike Thoughts:
  - "Okay, maybe I should have trained more. My thighs are burning, in a bad way."
  - "Wow, the air is thin. I can smell…pine needles? And possibly a hint of goat?"
  - "This view is genuinely breathtaking. And I'm definitely going to post it to Instagram. #ManaliAdventures #FeelingAlive #AlmostDead"
  - "Is that a… a squirrel? Oh my god. I'm obsessed."
  - "Must. Keep. Going. Must. See. View. Must. Not. Give. Up. (Also, is that a rogue yak?)"
  - "I think I'm getting altitude sickness. Or maybe it's just the three momos I ate for breakfast."
  - "The clouds above are… magnificent! Wait, is that my stomach rumbling?"
Afternoon: Collapse. Find a vantage point. Or a flat rock. Drink water. Eat snacks. Take more pictures. Gloat over the fact that I actually did it. Maybe I should have brought some weed… just Kidding…
Evening: Head back to the Inn, probably smelling faintly of sweat and triumph. Shower. Seriously, I need a good shower. Dinner at a local dhaba (fingers crossed for delicious food and minimal tummy troubles). Stare out the window at the stars. Marvel at the fact that I am, indeed, in the mountains. And maybe… just maybe… start planning the next day's adventure.

Phase 3: The River Run & Relaxation (October 28th)

Morning: Sleep in (if possible). Or, if I can't sleep, maybe plan to go to that "meditation" place I read about in the travel guides. Because, apparently, I am now "a person who meditates." (Narrator: She is not.) Or maybe I should get a bike. If I get a bike though, i'm going to fall.
Afternoon: White-water rafting on the Beas River! (or, at least, pretending to be a capable white-water rafter). I'm picturing myself yelling with glee, effortlessly navigating the rapids, and looking like a badass. The reality? Probably a lot of flailing, screaming, and inhaling river water. But hey, adventure, right? The aftermath? I will probably be extremely cold and shivering.
Evening: Relaxing at the Inn. I might bring a bottle of wine, and some crackers. I might get on social media to send photos to people or search for new places to visit.

Phase 4: Exploring the Town (October 29th)

Morning: Visit the Hadimba Devi Temple, because, culture. And maybe spot a wandering holy cow or two.
Afternoon: Wander the Mall Road. Resist the urge to buy everything in sight (especially the pashmina shawls, because, temptation). Eat street food. Get scammed by a fake "local artisan" selling overpriced trinkets (it's inevitable, isn't it?).
Evening: Enjoy the sunset. Dine out at a restaurant. Reflect on the trip. What did I learn? What did I eat?
Late night: Get ice cream, and get a rickshaw to go home.

Phase 5: Departure & Post-Trip Meltdown (October 30th)

Morning: Pack up. Say goodbye to Sra Hi-way Inn (hopefully with a fond farewell, not a "good riddance"). Head Back to Delhi.
Afternoon: Attempt to find the train to Delhi. Hopefully, i'll be on time this time.
Evening: Arrive in Delhi. Sleep? Don't sleep.
Night: Arrive home. Unpack. Immediately start planning the next adventure. And then, collapse in a heap of exhaustion and wanderlust. Post everything on social media. Delete some photos. Then realize I forgot to buy souvenirs. And, finally, start fantasizing about the next trip.

Important Notes/Disclaimers:

This is a very approximate itinerary. I am, by nature, a highly unpredictable traveler.
Contingency plans are my specialty: I'll have backup plans, backup plans for the backup plans, and probably a backup plan for the backup plan of the backup plan. Just in case.
My packing list: Includes (but is not limited to) about three books I won’t read, approximately eight pairs of socks, a mountain of snacks, a portable charger (because, duh), and a healthy dose of optimism (and anxiety).
My emotional state: Expect a roller coaster. There will be moments of pure joy, moments of overwhelming awe, and possibly a few moments of utter panic. It's all part of the ride!
The budget is… flexible. Meaning, I'll probably spend more than I intend to.
This itinerary is subject to change at any moment. Because, well, that’s just how I roll.

Wish me luck! (And maybe send snacks.)

Luxury London-Style Studio: Thane's Hidden Gem!

Book Now