Garima Cottage: Faizabad's Hidden Gem You NEED to See!
Garima Cottage: Faizabad's Hidden Gem You NEED to See! (But Maybe Not Right Now…) - A Completely Honest Hotel Review
Okay, so you’re thinking about Faizabad, eh? And you stumbled upon Garima Cottage. Let me tell you… this place is… well, it’s an experience. Forget those perfectly polished reviews – I'm here to give you the real deal, the messy, the wonderful, and the slightly… questionable aspects of Garima Cottage. Buckle up, buttercup, because this is gonna be a wild ride.
First Impressions (and a Little Bit of a Rant about Accessibility):
Finding Garima Cottage isn’t exactly like walking into a slick five-star hotel. It's tucked away, which, hey, adds to the "hidden gem" vibe. But that "hidden" also translates to "a bit of a trek." Accessibility is… well, let's just say if you're relying on a wheelchair, double-check beforehand. I didn't personally test the waters, but the pathways looked a bit uneven. Facilities for disabled guests are listed, but further inspection is required. They have an elevator, which is a huge plus in my book, and that’s a good start.
Getting Settled In: Rooms, Rooms, Glorious (and Sometimes Questionable) Rooms
Alright, let's talk rooms. Mine was… well, it had character. And by character, I mean a slightly outdated aesthetic that screamed "classic Indian guesthouse." But hey, the air conditioning worked! And that is a victory in the Faizabad heat. I had a window that opens, a godsend considering my borderline claustrophobia.
They boast free Wi-Fi, which is listed as Wi-Fi [free] in all rooms! But remember, this is India. The internet gods are fickle. Sometimes it was blazing fast, sometimes I felt like I was back in the dial-up era. Be prepared to embrace the slow life.
They offer just about everything, the basics were there:
- Air conditioning: Absolutely crucial.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for a caffeine addict like me.
- Complimentary tea: A nice touch.
- Mini bar: Temptation, thy name is Garima Cottage.
- Refrigerator: Necessary for keeping things… cool.
- Daily housekeeping: My room always returned to its pristine form
- Blackout curtains: Perfect when you need some reprieve. But let’s be honest, the furniture did show its age. But the bed was comfy, with linens that – okay, I was a little paranoid about the cleanliness and safety as COVID is still a thing, but I saw anti-viral cleaning products being used, with room sanitization opt-out available. The staff is trained in safety protocol so I gave it my best shot. It's Faizabad, not the Ritz. You get what you pay for in this one.
The Food, the Drinks, and the Culinary Adventures (or Misadventures):
Okay, this is where things get even more interesting. Let's be honest, sometimes the Asian cuisine in restaurant had me eyeing the nearest chai stall. The restaurant itself is… well, it's there. The food is decent, the prices are reasonable, and the staff are friendly. They didn’t have the greatest desserts in restaurant, but the tea! Amazing.
I did enjoy a buffet in restaurant one morning, but it was mainly Indian, and let me tell you, I wasn't exactly prepared for a full Indian breakfast at 7 AM. I'd suggest going easy on the chilies if your stomach is as sensitive as mine. I really wanted to try out the Poolside bar, but maybe next time.
Things to Do and Ways to (Attempt to) Relax
Alright, let's cut to the chase: relaxation is possible, but don't expect a full-blown spa experience. They have a swimming pool [outdoor], which, let's be honest, is a godsend in Faizabad. I’m not a huge pool person, but after a dusty day, it was the perfect way to unwind. They have a gym/fitness, but I never went. My idea of exercise is walking to the restaurant. They list Spa, Sauna, Steamroom, and Massage, but I didn't bother; They do have a terrace, which provided a nice spot to enjoy that much-needed morning coffee.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because let's face it, it's 2024):
Garima Cottage seems to be making an effort, and I appreciate that. They state staff trained in safety protocol, daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays. You know, the basics. They also have hand sanitizer readily available, which is always a plus in these times.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Odd
They offer a whole bunch of services, including:
- Air conditioning in public area: Excellent!
- Cash withdrawal: Always handy.
- Contactless check-in/out: Appreciated.
- Concierge: Helpful, for the most part.
- Daily housekeeping: It seemed every day my room was in tip top shape.
- Dry cleaning: I don’t think I took anything that needed dry cleaning.
- Elevator: A must-have.
- Safety deposit boxes: Peace of mind.
- Laundry service: Useful.
- Luggage storage: Convenient.
- Room service [24-hour]: I didn't use it, but it's there.
- Smoking area: Always a good thing.
Honestly, the staff's attention to detail felt genuine. They were friendly and helpful, albeit sometimes a little… relaxed in their timing, but everyone is laid back, and they never rushed me for anything.
Things to Consider Before Booking:
- Internet: Don't bank on lightning-fast Wi-Fi.
- Food: Be open to trying new things and maybe bringing your snack.
- Ambience: It's not a luxury resort. It's charming in its own way. Embrace the imperfections.
- Accessibility: Double-check if you have specific needs.
- Location: If you want to be in the thick of things, this isn’t it.
The Offer: Your Faizabad Escape (with a Dose of Realism!)
Ready to explore Faizabad, embrace the unexpected, and experience a bit of India's charm?
Here's the deal:
Book your stay at Garima Cottage today and get:
- Complimentary upgrade to a room with a view (subject to availability) – Okay, maybe not the best view, but it will definitely be a view, and a little something to help distract you from the internet.
- Free breakfast for the first morning – Grab all the fuel you need.
- A 10% discount on any spa treatment (if they're running any!)
- Guaranteed access to that glorious outdoor pool!
- And, of course, the unforgettable experience of staying in a place that's truly… unique.
But be warned:
This offer comes with a disclaimer: Garima Cottage is not for everyone. If you're a luxury traveler, this is not the place for you. But if you're looking for an authentic, reasonably priced experience, a place where you can kick back, relax, and soak up the local culture, then Garima Cottage might just be your hidden gem.
Click here to book your stay at Garima Cottage today! (And maybe pack a portable Wi-Fi device, just in case.)
Final Verdict:
Would I go back? Maybe. Am I raving about it? Nope. But was it a memorable experience? Absolutely. Garima Cottage is a solid choice for a Faizabad adventure. It's not perfect, but it's got heart, and that counts for something. Just go in with an open mind, a sense of adventure, and a healthy dose of realism. You might just fall in love with its quirky charm, like I did. Just be prepared for… well, you'll see. You'll see.
Indosiar's Hidden Gem: Modern Daan Mogot Budget Stay in Jakarta!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is my theoretical trip to Garima Cottage in Faizabad, India. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions, questionable decisions, and probably some serious sleep deprivation. You've been warned.
Day 1: Arrival – The Hum of Humid Happiness & Mango Mania
- 06:00 AM - The Great Awakening (and Existential Dread at the Airport): Ugh. The alarm blared and I had to drag myself out of bed to the airport. The usual pre-flight panic set in: Did I pack enough socks? Did I remember to turn off the iron? Am I actually going to India?! The answer to the last one hit me in the face as soon as I got to the airport.
- 09:00 AM - Delhi to Faizabad - The Plane, the Pain, and the Promise: The flight was fine, I guess. Seatbelt sign blinks off and the plane is beginning to descend. Finally. The airport in Faizabad felt like a pleasant contrast to the Delhi International airport.
- 11:00 AM - Arrival at Garima Cottage: First Impressions and Fuzzy Expectations: Oh. My. Goodness. Garima Cottage. I had seen the pictures, of course. Sunny balconies, lush gardens, promised peace. Reality hit me like a warm, dusty hug. The cottage was charmingly…rustic. The garden? Well, let's just say it had potential. The people? Ah, the people were wonderful. So welcoming and with smiles that seemed to genuinely reach their eyes.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch and the Mango Monsoon: The lunch they've prepared for me was a feast! There was definitely enough food to feed a small army. Then came the mangoes. MANGOES. This wasn't just a fruit; it was an experience. Sweetness, the juice dripping down my chin, the feeling of pure, unadulterated joy. I may have eaten three. Judge me. I dare you.
- 02:00 PM - Rest and Re-calibrate: Post-mango coma. Napped briefly.
Day 2: Exploring Faizabad - Holy Cows and Unholy Traffic
- 07:00 AM - Dawn, Dust, and the Day's First Chai: Got up early to find a small Chai café. It's amazing how a tiny paper cup of that milky, spiced goodness can make everything feel alright. I almost felt like a local, sipping my chai and watching the world wake up. Almost.
- 08:00 AM - Navigating the Chaos (and Possibly Giving Up): Faizabad traffic is…something. I swear, I saw a cow calmly stroll down a street, completely unfazed by the symphony of horns and honking. It seemed to know which way to go. I, on the other hand, was thoroughly lost within five minutes of leaving the cottage.
- 09:00 AM - A Visit to the Ghats - Serenity Under the Sun: I found it. The ghat. This was beautiful—the soft light, the gentle sounds of the river, people praying. It was easy to forget the chaos. Momentarily, I felt like I'd found a little piece of peace and quiet.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch With a View - Chicken Tikka and a Side of Perspective: The food truck was a delight. Even the slightly dodgy-looking chicken tikka wasn't a problem. I mean, I felt like I was taking my life into my own hands, but hey, when in Rome, right? The view was amazing.
- 02:00 PM - The Realization That All My Instagram Filters Are Useless
- 04:00 PM - Back to the Cottage - Garden Giggles and a Deep Dive into a Book: Spent a couple of hours in the garden, trying to figure out the names of the flowers (failed miserably) and laughing at my own silly attempts at gardening.
- 07:00 PM - Dinner and the Unexpected Guest: Delicious food, more stories, and a truly unexpected guest…a little kitten. It was so cute that I'm pretty sure I nearly gave it my dinner.
Day 3: The (Un)Planned Adventure and Monumental Mistakes
- 08:00 AM - The Morning Ritual - Chai, Confusion, and Decision-Making: Okay, the goal today was simple: Get out. See something. Do something. But which direction? I spent what felt like an hour just staring at the map, feeling more confused than ever.
- 09:00 AM - The Temples…And My Questionable Choices: Today I went to a temple. I'm sure it was beautiful--but I was clearly not supposed to be wandering around in my slightly ripped jeans and a t-shirt that was likely not culturally appropriate.
- 12:00 PM - The Great Food Tour (Part 2) - Spicy Smiles and Culinary Adventure: I found this place that was a complete hole in the wall but apparently famous for their spicy thalis. The food was fire--literally. My mouth was on fire. But it was amazing.
- 02:00 PM - The Monumental Mistake - The Goat: So, in my infinite wisdom, I went to try and pet the goat and the goat was not pleased. I swear, the goat charged me. I ran. I'm not proud.
- 04:00 PM - Back at the Cottage - The Goat Trauma: I'm still in shock. I think I'll write a strongly worded letter to the goat, and maybe practice my goat avoiding skills for the rest of the day.
- 07:00 PM - More Good Food and the Final Night: Dinner, good company, a final, slightly sad evening. Then it all hit me, I was going to have to leave.
Day 4: Departure - Bye-Bye Butter Chicken, Hello Reality
- 08:00 AM - Farewell Breakfast and a Thousand Promises: The last chai. The last mango (okay, two mangoes). Saying goodbye to my hosts was genuinely difficult. They'd become my family.
- 09:00 AM - One Last Look and the Lingering Smell of Spices: Gave a quick walk around the cottage one last time, savouring the smells of incense.
- 10:00 AM - Faizabad to Delhi - Reflecting on the Chaos: The journey back was a blur. The flight felt long.
- 01:00 PM - Boarding Plane and back home.
Post-Trip Rambling (Because I Can't Help Myself):
This trip wasn't perfect. There were moments of confusion, moments of frustration, and moments where I was pretty sure I'd gotten myself into serious trouble. But it was also beautiful, exhilarating, delicious, and unforgettable. I learned a lot about India, and even more about myself. And I can't wait to go back (and maybe avoid the goats next time).
Sunway SS15 Studio Steal: 3-Pax Chic KL Pad (5 Mins to Sunway!)
So, what *is* this "Life Stuff" thing anyway? I’m genuinely confused.
Okay, fair. I’m still working that out myself, truth be told. I think of "Life Stuff" like a particularly stubborn, ever-growing pile of laundry. You have your clothes, your responsibilities, your hopes, your fears, your… well, *everything*. And it all gets jumbled together in a big chaotic heap. Some days it's fine, you're keeping up, folding the shirts, putting things back in their place. Other days? It’s Mount Washmore, threatening to engulf your entire existence. And you just… stare. That’s the raw truth of it, right?
Why does this feel so overwhelming? Everyone else seems to have it figured out. They're like, "Just do this!"" and I'm here like, "Uhhh... what now?"
Oh, honey, the "everyone else" is an illusion. A carefully curated highlight reel on Instagram. They’re probably battling their own version of Mount Washmore, just better at hiding it. And trust me, "Just do this!" is the devil's most alluring lie. I can't remember the last time something in my life *was* "just." Take getting a new pet, for example. I thought, "Oh, I love dogs! This will be great." Fast forward three weeks later, I'm at 3 am scooping poop and contemplating the life choices that led me to that moment (I still love my furry monster, though). Overwhelming is life's default setting, I believe. The trick, I’m starting to think, is to accept the overwhelm and then find the tiny, sliver of joy within it. Also, maybe invest in a good therapist. Worth every penny.
How do I even *start* tackling the "Life Stuff" pile? Where do I even begin?
Here’s my completely unqualified, deeply flawed, but sincere advice: Pick something. *Anything*. Literally. Let’s say you're overwhelmed by your job. Maybe start by making a list, even if it’s just brain-vomit onto paper. "I hate the lighting. I don't like my boss. I'm bored out of my mind." Then, once you've got the mess out, you *can* start to filter things. "Okay, the lighting I can't influence, so let's move on." Or, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, make a list of your *positive* things about the job: "I like my desk-mate. I have job security right now. I get paid." Then go from there. Honestly, just the act of *doing* something, anything, is a victory. Don't get bogged down in paralysis by analysis. Just… start. And be prepared for the fact that whatever you start with might not solve everything. That's normal. It's supposed to be messy, remember?
But what if I fail? Can I handle failure?
Oh, failure. My old friend. Let's be honest, you're going to fail. I'm going to fail. We're *all* going to spectacularly, hilariously, face-plant at some point. And guess what? *It's okay.* It's actually… helpful, in a strange, masochistic way. Think of it like this: You try to bake a cake, burn it to a cinder, and realize you forgot the sugar. Now you *know* to add the sugar next time. That's failure being your teacher. The key, I believe, is how you react to the failure. Do you wallow? Do you get angry? Do you… decide to just give up and eat a whole carton of ice cream (I've done that - many times)? Or do you dust yourself off, analyze what went wrong (or didn’t go wrong), and try again? Yeah? And if you decide to wallow in chocolate ice cream? *I understand*. Seriously, I do.
How do I deal with bad days? Like, REALLY bad days?
Okay, this is where I get… well, this is where I get honest. I've had some *doozies*. The days when you wake up and the world just feels… wrong. Everything is a chore. Every interaction feels like a struggle. And sometimes, you just want to curl up in a ball and hide. First, *allow* yourself to feel those things. Don't try to suppress them. Acknowledge that it's a difficult day. Then, try some things. Sometimes a change of scenery (a walk), can help. Other days, it’s a comfort movie. Maybe some music. For me? Sometimes it's just shouting into a pillow. Or, you know… crying. A good cry is sometimes incredibly therapeutic. And if you're consistently having REALLY bad days, go and seek help. Talk to someone. A friend, a family member, a therapist. It's a sign of strength, not weakness.
What if I'm just... *bored*? Aren't I supposed to be passionate about *something*?
The Passion Question. Ugh. The pressure! It’s right up there with the "find your soulmate" pressure. Okay, listen… it's totally normal to be bored. Life is long and varied and it is fine not to have one True Passion. Sometimes just getting through the day is enough! And passion *can* come in fits and starts. The truth is that sometimes, something exciting will find you. (I became obsessed with knitting after being given a free knitting kit.) And sometimes, you have to go find something new to be obsessed with. But again, the "just do it!" is terrible advice. Explore things that mildly interest you. Read a book. Watch a documentary. Try a new hobby. Don't feel like you have to force it. Allow boredom to exist, and see what bubbles up. Maybe you'll surprise yourself. Maybe you'll find a new passion. Or maybe you'll decide that binge-watching reality TV on a Sunday is enough. And you know what? That's perfectly fine too.
You mentioned comfort movies. What are yours? Asking for a friend… (it's me).
Okay, confession time. My comfort movies are highly subjective, and possibly a little embarrassing. There are a few categories. The "I want to feel something" category: *Pride & Prejudice* (the Keira Knightley version, obviously), *About Time* (tearjerker alert). The "Stupid and hilarious" category includes *Legally Blonde*. And the "I need to escape reality" category?Roaming Hotels
