Natraj Bilaspur: India's BEST Hotel? (You WON'T Believe This!)
Natraj Bilaspur: India's BEST Hotel? (You WON'T Believe This!)
Natraj Bilaspur: India's BEST Hotel? (You WON'T Believe This!) – A Really Honest Review (with Some Rambling!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the chai on Natraj Bilaspur. Is it really India's best? Well, that's a HUGE claim, and I'm gonna get real with you – no hotel is perfect. But did it surprise me? Absolutely. Like a perfectly spiced samosa on a freezing day, it warmed my weary soul.
Let’s dive in to this chaotic, beautiful mess, shall we?
First Impressions & Accessibility (or Lack Thereof!)
Right off the bat, Bilaspur isn't exactly a bustling tourist hub. It's…well, it's Bilaspur. But don’t let that deter you! Natraj is a shimmering oasis in a town that, let’s be honest, could do with some shimmering.
Accessibility: This is where things get… interesting. The website says they've got facilities for disabled guests, but honestly? I didn't see a whole heck of a lot evidence of specifically designed accessibility features. The elevator exists, thankfully. However, navigating the property as a wheelchair user could be a bit of a challenge. Rating: 3/5 (Potential for improvement is key!)
Getting Around: They offer an airport transfer (major plus!), and some form of taxi service. They also have car parking, which is free.
- Quirky Observation: The parking situation was… a little chaotic. Like a Bollywood dance number with too many cars. But hey, at least it's free! Rating: 3.5/5
The Room: My Personal Fortress (and Maybe Yours Too)
Okay, the rooms. This is where Natraj Bilaspur REALLY starts to shine. My initial reaction? “WHOA, this is… nice.” (Imagine that, after a long journey from another Indian city!)
Available in all rooms: Let's tick off the boxes, shall we? Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Coffee/tea maker (essential!), Complimentary tea (double essential!), Daily housekeeping (YES!), Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box (crucial!), Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Mini bar, Non-smoking, Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Shower, Smoke detector, Sofa, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free]. Seriously, they've thought of almost everything.
The Bed: The bed itself was like sinking into a cloud… a cloud of pillows and clean linens. Glorious! Rating: 4.5/5
Internet Access (And the Perils of a Travel Blogger): Internet access – wireless and Internet access – LAN are available. The Wi-Fi was reasonably swift, which is a godsend for a travel blogger like myself. I mean, imagine the horror of not being able to upload Instagram photos of my breakfast buffet! shudders
- Quirky Observation: One time, the Wi-Fi cut out right when I was about to write that killer review of the pool… a mini existential crisis ensued. Luckily, it came back, and so did my will to live. Rating: 4/5
Additional Details: A separate shower/bathtub – luxury! Blackout curtains – perfect for combating that harsh Indian sun (and my desire to sleep in!). A window that opens – fresh air, baby! Extra long bed (bliss!). You can also score Interconnecting room(s) available. Rating 4.5/5
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Coma, Here I Come!
Okay, let’s talk about the grub. This is a critical category for me. I'm a foodie, and let me tell you, Natraj Bilaspur did not disappoint.
- Restaurants: Restaurants! Plural! That's a good start, right? There's an A la carte in restaurant, a Buffet in restaurant (my kryptonite!), and a Vegetarian restaurant. They also provide Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, and Soup in restaurant.
- Anecdote: I pretty much lived in the buffet. The sheer variety of Indian breakfast options (and Western breakfast too, for those less adventurous souls) was incredible. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was surprisingly excellent. The Soup in restaurant was so comforting and delicious. Rating: 5/5 (for the food, easily!)
- Other Munchies: There's a Coffee shop to get your caffeine fix. They also provide a Room service [24-hour] and a Snack bar. I may have ordered room service at 3 AM to eat an extra plate of delicious dessert. What? Don't judge me.
- Drinking Delights: They have a Poolside bar, and a proper Bar for those evening cocktails.
- Quirky Observation: The Happy hour was REALLY happy! And the cocktails were potent but delightful. The most delicious Bottle of water kept me hydrated. Rating: 4.5/5
Ways to Relax… Or, How I Almost Got Lost in a Sauna
Alright, let's get to the pampering! Natraj Bilaspur is definitely set up to help you unwind.
The Spa: Spa, Spa/sauna. I'm in! They have a Sauna and a Steamroom, for those who want to sweat out their stresses. I tried the sauna, and it was… intense. I almost passed out, which, admittedly, is not the MOST relaxing experience. But overall, good! Rating: 4/5
Anecdote: The Foot bath was lovely. The Massage was heavenly.
- Quirky Observation: I did get a Body scrub and Body wrap, and I swear I came out feeling 10 years younger. I'm not sure the Pool with view itself was visually stunning, but it was clean. The Swimming pool [outdoor], and Swimming pool were a great way to cool off. Rating: 4/5
Fitness: They have a Fitness center and a Gym/fitness. The equipment looked fairly up-to-date. Rating: 4/5
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized Bliss or… Just Mostly?
In these post-pandemic times, cleanliness is KING (or QUEEN!). Natraj Bilaspur seems to have taken it seriously.
- Safety Measures:
- The hotel utilizes Anti-viral cleaning products and does Daily disinfection in common areas. Rooms sanitized between stays, and Professional-grade sanitizing services are provided. Plus they have Sanitized kitchen and tableware items.
- Other Safety Features: CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Smoke alarms.
- Anecdote: It all felt pretty safe. I felt secure, although I'm not sure how frequently the Sterilizing equipment was used.
- Quirky Observation: You could Room sanitization opt-out available. Rating: 4.5/5
Services and Conveniences: They've Got You Covered (Probably)
- The Essentials:
- Air conditioning in public area, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests (sort of discussed above, needs improvement), Food delivery, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events.
- Cashless payment service, and Contactless check-in/out.
- Business Needs They have Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, and Meetings.
- Quirky Observation: the Convenience store was handy for late-night snacks.
- Anecdote: The Invoice provided was clear and easy to understand.
- Note: The Family/child friendly description is accurate.
- Note: The Smoking area is helpful. Rating: 4/5
For the Kids… And the Perpetually Child-Like!
- The Kiddie Corner: They offer a Babysitting service, which is great for those traveling with children. This is quite a Family/child friendly hotel. Kids facilities are provided.
- Note: Kids meal are also available. Rating: 4/5
**What About the "Not-So-Great
Kota Kinabalu's BEST Kept Secret: Hush Inn's Unbelievable Luxury!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This isn't your average, perfectly sculpted itinerary. This is the messy, glorious truth of me trying to experience Hotel Natraj in Bilaspur, India. Wish me luck… I'm probably gonna need it.
Hotel Natraj, Bilaspur - An Attempt at a Schedule (and My Mental Breakdown)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Air Conditioning Mystery
- 8:00 AM (ish): Wake up in a hotel bed, hoping I slept. Did I? Can't remember. Arrive at Bilaspur airport. The flight felt like it lasted 3 years. That constant hum… the screaming children… I need a vacation from this trip already.
- 9:00 AM: Find a cab (negotiate like my life depends on it – because, honestly, with Indian traffic, it might). That frantic weaving through the roads… my heart's doing the cha-cha.
- 10:00 AM: Check into Hotel Natraj. The lobby… well, it's a lobby. The air conditioning immediately becomes mission-critical. I approach the reception, all smiles and goodwill. The key card fails to work. Twice. "It's just a bit rusty, madam," the desk clerk chirps, completely unfazed. Rusty? The key card clearly went to war.
- 10:30 AM: Room number. Oh the irony. It's hot. Air conditioning is… not working. Call the front desk. Repeatedly. "Coming now, madam." (Translation: "Whenever we feel like it, which is probably not right now.")
- 11:30 AM: Finally, a weary-looking engineer arrives. Gesticulates wildly at the AC unit. Taps it with something that might be a wrench. Leaves. The AC unit makes a sound that is best described as "a dying robot cat." The room is still an oven. I'm beginning to seriously reconsider the value of this "vacation."
- 12:00 PM: Lunch in the hotel restaurant. Order the "Chicken Tikka Masala." Anticipation builds! This could save the day… maybe.
- 1:00 PM: Disappointment. The Chicken Tikka Masala is… bland. Utterly, soul-crushingly bland. My dreams of a delicious meal are dashed. I drown my sorrows in a glass of overly-sweet mango lassi.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Nap. Mostly because what else is there to do? The AC might finally be kind of working, or I might finally be hallucinating from heat exhaustion. Either way, I'm horizontal.
- 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Attempt to explore Bilaspur. Struggle with the language barrier even with my translator app. Get mildly lost. Discover a local chai stall. The chai is amazing. Everything is better with chai.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. I'm wary, but I have to eat. Order something different. Regret the decision.
- 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Attempt to watch TV. The channels are all Hindi. My language skills are… struggling. End up watching a nature documentary about… something brown. The mosquito that won't leave me alone bites me. Twice.
- 10:00 PM: Head back and fall asleep.
Day 2: Temples, Trouble, and a Terrifying Auto-Rickshaw Ride
- 7:00 AM (ish): Nope. Still hot. Woke up in a sweat, questioning all my life choices. Especially the one that led me to a badly air-conditioned room.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. The same, bland, uninspiring breakfast. Give up on eggs.
- 9:00 AM: Hire an auto-rickshaw (that's the three-wheeled little vehicle) to visit a local temple. The driver is friendly. The ride is an adventure in itself. I'm pretty sure we hit every pothole in Bilaspur. The city looks a lot like a concrete jungle.
- 9:30 AM: Visit a temple. Marvel at the intricacy, the beauty, the overwhelming sensory overload. The incense is strong. The chanting is hypnotic. I feel a strange mix of reverence and slight panic because everyone seems to be staring at me.
- 11:00 AM: More exploring. Get lost again. Realise that everything is a bit more chaotic than I initially anticipated. Suddenly, my mind wonders how I will get a cab?
- 12:00 PM: Lunch (again, with trepidation). Try something new but am not happy with the result.
- 1:00 PM: I had planned to go a museum in the afternoon but I feel too lazy to do anything. Another 'rest'
- 3:00 PM: I take a walk in a near by park. I sit and watch everyone.
- 4:00 PM: Auto-rickshaw ride (again). This time it's a different driver. This one drives like a caffeinated bat out of hell, swerving through traffic at what feels like warp speed. I clutch the side of the vehicle with white knuckles and silently pray to every deity I know. I survive. Barely. I swear to myself I will never get in an auto-rickshaw again. (Spoiler alert: I will probably be back in one tomorrow.)
- 5:00 PM: Back at the hotel. The AC might work today. Maybe.
- 6:00 PM: Try a massage at the hotel spa. It's actually quite good. I almost forget about the air conditioning. Almost.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner is better but still not amazing. Is it me? Am I just destined to have a mildly unsatisfying culinary experience in Bilaspur?
- 8:00 PM: Attempt to relax. Read a book. The noise from the street is a constant hum. The mosquitoes are back.
- 9:00 PM: Contemplate life. Contemplate the meaning of travel. Contemplate filing a formal complaint about the air conditioning. Decide it's probably not worth the effort.
- 10:00 PM: Sleep. Hope the AC is not a dying robot cat tonight.
Day 3: The Hotel Natraj Finale (and My Existential Crisis)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. It's hot. Surprise, surprise.
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. Same as before.
- 9:00 AM: Decide I need something to redeem this trip. I head to the local market. It's chaotic, loud, and overwhelming, but I somehow find a beautiful scarf. Score!
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Wander around the market. Get into a (playful) negotiation with a shopkeeper about the scarf. Actually, this is fun.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. Chicken Curry. It's the best meal so far. Maybe this trip is turning around?
- 1:00 PM: I take a final walk.
- 2:00 PM: Check out of Hotel Natraj. The key card actually works this time. Progress!
- 2:30 PM: Head to the airport.
- 3:00 PM: The flight is delayed. Sigh. I'm sitting here, reflecting. My time in Bilaspur (and in Hotel Natraj) has been a rollercoaster. There were moments of frustration, moments of delight, and a whole lot of sweating. I learned some things, probably lost some sanity, definitely got bit by mosquitoes.
- Everything Else: This trip reminded me that travel isn't always picture-postcard perfect. It's messy, unpredictable, and sometimes a little bit… bland. But even the bland parts create the experiences that make travel, well, travel.
- The Verdict: Hotel Natraj isn't the Ritz. But it's a place. And sometimes, that's all you need. Maybe.
- Departure: Plane leaves the airport. I vow to book a hotel with excellent air conditioning next time and hope for a less eventful visit.
Natraj Bilaspur: India's BEST Hotel? (You WON'T Believe This!) - FAQs (A Seriously Messy, Hilarious, and Honest Q&A)
Okay, seriously… is Natraj Bilaspur REALLY the best hotel in India? My expectations are… low.
Look, defining "best" is like trying to catch smoke. But listen, when my travel agent – a chain-smoking, perpetually-late woman named Meena who *swears* she knows everything – told me to book Natraj, I mentally prepared for a disaster. Concrete walls, questionable plumbing, and that weird musty smell that clings to Indian hotels like a lovesick puppy.
And you know what? It *wasn't* a disaster. It was… surprisingly… *pleasant*. That's the best I can offer right now. "Best" is a stretch. "Surprisingly decent and charming in a totally weird, Bilaspur kind of way" is closer to the truth. Meena's actually right for once… well, about the hotel at least. Her fashion sense is still… something.
What about the rooms? Are they clean? (That's my biggest worry!)
Okay, so here’s the truth about the rooms at Natraj. They aren't *gleaming* with antiseptic perfection like you’d find in a sterile, soulless chain hotel. My first room, Room 207, actually, had a tiny, almost imperceptible stain on the carpet that looked suspiciously like… well, let's just say it wasn't water. I briefly considered burning the whole place down with my mind, but then I saw the view (more on that later), and also, the stain seemed to be entirely… inanimate.
The bedsheets? Fresh. The bathroom? Mostly clean. I always travel with my own disinfectant wipes, and I did give everything a good once-over, just in case, but honestly? Considering the location and the price, Room 207 was… surprisingly acceptable. Just bring your own extra strength hand sanitiser.
Tell me about the FOOD! I live to eat. Is the restaurant worth visiting?
Oh, the food. This is where Natraj Bilaspur truly… shines? Let’s say it *glows dimly in the corner*. The restaurant? Solid. Unexceptional but good. The breakfast buffet is *interesting*. They had this… what appeared to be a sweet, fluffy pancake-adjacent thing, and I swear, it tasted faintly of… rosewater? And happiness? It was either that, or I was having a total breakdown from jet lag. I had three.
The dinner menu is pretty standard Indian faire, decent curries. Nothing that blew my socks off, but nothing that gave me food poisoning either, which is a definite win. One night, I ordered the Chicken Tikka Masala, and the waiter kept calling me "Madam Delicious." It was endearing. Definitely a story worthy of future recounting, especially when one is craving a good laugh with friends.
Is there anything special about the hotel? Like a pool or a gym?
No pool. No gym. (I need my exercise, I do!) Now, I'm not *totally* sure, but I think there's a "fitness centre", that might be a room with a broken treadmill and a rusty weight set. Don't bank on it being pristine. The "special" thing about Natraj? The… *vibe*.
It has this slightly faded grandeur, a slightly dusty charm. Remember that view I mentioned? From certain rooms (ask for one on a higher floor!), you get an EPIC view of the… something. I'm not sure what, exactly. Definitely more of that "charm" than "modern luxury." It’s an authentic experience, though. Authenticity definitely sells points for me.
What's the staff like? Are they friendly? Helpful? (Crucial, people!)
The staff are… angels! Okay, maybe not angels with actual wings, but they're genuinely friendly, helpful, and they put up with a LOT. I once accidentally locked myself out of my room at 3 am (don't ask), and the night manager, a sweet man who looked like he hadn't slept in days, calmly got me a new key. No judgment, just quiet efficiency.
They really went above and beyond. One day a street dog followed me into the hotel lobby (he looked lost and adorable), and the front desk staff spent a good half hour trying to coax him out with biscuits. They genuinely cared. It was… heart-warming. The experience alone is worth it!
Okay, I'm *almost* convinced. What's the WORST thing about Natraj Bilaspur? Hit me with the bad!
The worst thing? The elevators. OH. MY. GOD. They are… *terrifying*. They're small, slow, and make this grinding, groaning noise that sounds like they're about to fall apart any second. I took the stairs. Every. Single. Time. Even after a breakfast laden with those mysterious, rosewater-infused pancakes.
And the Wi-Fi! Don’t even get me started. It's… sporadic at best, nonexistent at worst. Be prepared to disconnect from the world. You've been warned. Actually, bring a book. A *real* book. Forget Instagram, your social media addiction will only make you impatient!
Final verdict: Should I stay at Natraj Bilaspur?
Look, if you’re expecting a five-star, polished, predictable hotel experience, then *run*. Run far, far away. But if you're looking for something… different. Something with character, with slightly dusty charm, a staff that's genuinely kind, and food that's… interesting… then, yeah, book it. Keep your expectations in check, embrace the weirdness, and bring plenty of hand sanitizer.
Honestly? I left Natraj with a smile on my face. It’s imperfect, it’s quirky, and it’s… memorable. And sometimes, those are the best kinds of experiences. Also, tell "Madam Delicious" that I said hello.
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