India is known for its hospitality all over the world, and brands like Oberoi, Leela and Taj consistently rank among the top hospitality brands in the world. But, who knew that a Radisson Blu in Himachal Pradesh can deliver the same level of hospitality those brands. The Radisson Blu Resort in Dharamshala is a true gem and should be on everyone’s list of top places to stay at when visiting the quaint hill station. Read on to find out how my experience was at Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala.
Here’s a full tour of the resort uploaded on IH’s YouTube channel (do subscribe to the channel for more such videos):
Booking
We stayed at Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala in December 2022 (I know I am writing this review after almost three years…but I am just happy getting this review out after all).
December is one of the best months to visit the hills in North India, and the rates for every hotel reflected that. The Standard Room with Valley View was going for around INR 14,100 per room per night ($163 approximately) including two meals (breakfast and lunch/dinner) and taxes. We booked our stay through booking.com.
Location
The resort is situated a little outside of the city centre. While that is a downside, the actual location of the resort can’t be beaten as it is located on a hillside offering sweeping views of the entire city.
Dharamshala’s Gaggal Airport is 16 kilometers away while the nearest railway station is in Pathankot, a 2.5 hour drive away. Attractions like McLeod Ganj and Norbulingka Institute are all situated within four kilometers.
Dharamshala is a quaint hill station located in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The city is home to the largest Tibetan temple outside of Tibet and is known for its religious iconography. Dharamshala is a great option to consider if you want to avoid the tourist hotspots of Shimla and Manali.
Check-in
We arrived at the resort around 6 PM. The reception is located in a small building near the car park. We were offered a welcome drink while the check-in formalities were being worked on. The resort uses a lot of wood and marble everywhere, which gives a premium feel to everything.
The check-in process was relatively quick, and while it was going on, the employee doing so explained what the resort is all about and that the resort is owned by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. Once we were checked-in, we were escorted to the room in a buggy.
Accommodations
The front area where the reception is located features an Indian flagpole in the middle and a waterfall with the Radisson Blu’s logo in the front (pictured above). From there, there’s a driveway leading up to all the other facilities of the resort. This gives a “resort within a resort” feel, helping guests escape the outside world and make the experience even more enjoyable.
Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala features 120 rooms and suites. Upon checking-in, we were upgraded to a Deluxe Room with Valley View. The rooms are located in different wings, with each wing named after a cricket stadium. Our room was located in the Eden Wing, named after the stadium located in Kolkata.
The Deluxe Rooms start at 36 square meters (388 square feet), including the balcony. The rooms are laid out very well, making them feel spacious. The rooms are decorated with a contemporary finish as well as bright colours, helping them blend with the nature.
Upon entering, the bathroom is on the left while the closet is on the right. The bathroom features a single sink, a WC and a shower-area.
Standard Radisson Blu-branded toiletries were available. The marble-floored bathroom was kept in immaculate condition.
The closet houses the in-room safe, ironing board as well as bathrobes. It is big enough to store all the necessary items. In-room slippers can also be found here.
Upon walking-in further, there is a working area featuring a glass table and two chairs along with a power socket and a phone.
The beds are a standard size. It was one of the best I have slept on. The mattress, combined with the soft blanket, makes for a good night’s sleep.
The bedside table features a phone, a notepad, the television remote and a power-socket including a USB-A socket.
And across the bed is the television, with the minibar below it. It was well-stocked during my stay. Tea/Coffee is available on a complimentary basis while other items like soft drinks and chips are chargeable.
Beside the minibar is a small couch with a wooden table and a luggage storage area.
The balcony offers a partial view of the surrounding mountains and features a table and two comfortable chairs.
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Dining
Most of the resort’s facilities are located around what I like to call as the central square. The layout is really well done with almost all facilities wheelchair-accessible as well.
Let’s start with the dining options available at the resort. The resort features four Food&Beverage outlets. The Edge is the main restaurant, located adjacent to the central square. It is accessible via a staircase and an elevator. It is a multi-cuisine restaurant, offering a blend of international flavors and local delicacies. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating areas.
There’s a small elevated area outside in the corner having a single table. We enjoyed breakfast each morning here with views of the surrounding regions and the resort.
Food at the resort was really good during our stay. Breakfast is an elaborate affair with an extensive buffet featuring hot dishes (both Indian and Western), multiple desserts, fresh juices and fresh cut fruits along with some made-to-order items also available. There also was a tea and coffee station along with a waffles station.
The buffet dinner was also very good, with options of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. There were multiple options in starters, main course and dessert.
Just beside the central square, there is another restaurant called The Italian Crust, which is open for lunch and dinner. It offers Italian delicacies such as hand-tossed pizzas, pasta, risotto as well as desserts and gelato.
We had two meals here. I am not exaggerating at all when I say that they serve the best pizzas. I mean…look at that beautiful chunk of bread topped with tomatoes, basil and buratta cheese…yum!
Behind the infinity pool (shown later) is the All Out Bar & Lounge, the resort’s only bar. It offers a wide variety of drinks in a welcoming and lively ambience. It also has both indoor and outdoor seating, acting as the poolside drinks venue as well.
And finally, there is D’Sweet Spot Tea Lounge located near the Eden Wing. It offers multiple types of teas and a selection of snacks and sweets in a cozy atmosphere.
Facilities
As with almost all resorts in India, Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala is family-friendly. Just at the top of the driveway, on the left, there is an outdoor kids’ play area having swings and slides.
On the second floor above D’Sweet Spot Tea Lounge, there is an indoor kids’ club offering video games on PlayStation, a movie area and many other games.
The resort occupies the back area as well which has a forest trail (more of a relaxing area of sorts). There’s a path to access the forest trail just off the driveway which connects the central square to the backside wing that features another set of rooms.
The forest has lots and lots of pine trees, making it a very tranquil place to relax under the shade in the afternoons. Also, there are several platforms like this (pictured below) dotted across the trail.
The main show-stopper if I may say so, is the temperature-controlled infinity swimming pool offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Dhauladhar mountains. Some areas of Dharamshala as well as the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s stadium are visible in the distance. The pool can be accessed via a slope and stairs from the central square.
There is an accompanying kids’ pool and a jacuzzi. The pool is surrounded by relaxing sun loungers.
The spa is located just below The Edge restaurant and can be accessed via stairs and an elevator. It features both singles and couples’ massage rooms, complete with private attached bathrooms. The spa offers multiple types of treatments along with a steam and sauna room.
The spa area also houses Radisson Fit, the resort’s on-site fitness centre, featuring cardio and weight training equipment, free weights and yoga mats.
Service
The service during our stay was nothing short of extraordinary. It was a perfect balance between personal touch and professionalism. Everyone we interacted with had a smile on their face, genuinely showing how they cared for every single guest.
During our stay, we were offered plastic water bottles in our room. Upon requesting glass water bottles on the first day, they ensured that those were placed in the room everyday since. The housekeeping staff in particular was extraordinary. Carefully arranging any cables/chargers, the evening turndown service and the care and smile on their face in general etc goes to show the effort they put to create a memorable stay.
The extraordinary service we got surely uplifted the whole experience. It made me realize that international brands can also match the level of service provided by the likes of Leela and Oberoi. While this was very much unlike my recent stay at Radisson Blu Ahmedabad, I feel that hotels can go above and beyond to make their guests feel welcome and comfortable with their service and warmth in general.
Thoughts and IH Score
Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala, with its almost perfect location, excellent service, delicious food, spacious and well laid out rooms and great facilities is a great choice for a stay in Dharamshala. It’s a true gem in the Himalayas!
The good:
- Stunning Views
- Excellent Room
- Impressive Food
- Stellar Service
- Good Facilities
The Bad:
- Far from the city centre
IH Score:
- Location: 19/20
- Room: 20/20
- Food: 18/20
- Facilities: 20/20
- Service: 20/20
Overall: 97 out of 100
Featured image by Ishan Haria
All the other images by Ishan Haria
Have you stayed at Radisson Blu Resort Dharamshala? If so, how was your experience? Let me know in the comments section below.
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