Kolkata's Hidden Gem: Unbelievable Treebo Radhe Palace!
Kolkata's Hidden Gem: Unbelievable Treebo Radhe Palace!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a hotel review that's less "polished brochure" and more "rambling confession of a travel-weary soul." I've survived a stay at [Insert Hotel Name Here – I'm a bit of a forgetful traveler], and now it's time to spill the tea, the coffee, and maybe some questionable crumbs.
(SEO & Metadata Alert: I'll try to sneak in some keywords, but honestly, my brain’s on vacation too.)
Main Keyword: Hotel Review, [Insert Hotel Name], Accessibility, Amenities, Dining, Safety, Rooms
First Impressions (and the Check-In Chaos):
Okay, first things first: finding the place. My GPS, bless its digital heart, led me on a merry chase through [Mention a crazy street or neighborhood, like "a maze of one-way streets" or "a bustling market."] Finally, there it was! The façade was… well, it looked like a hotel. Not much to rave about, frankly. Getting in, though… that was another saga. Check-in, they call it. I call it "standing around, wondering if I’d wandered into the plot of a vaguely sinister film." The staff were… efficient, let's say. Not exactly bursting with warmth, but hey, maybe their life is like this every day. (Keyword: Contactless check-in/out – sorta worked, but not smoothly).
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (and a Personal Plea!)
Alright, let's get serious for a hot minute. Accessibility: I’m not in a wheelchair, but I'm thinking beyond myself for a sec. Wheelchair accessible – Yes, theoretically. Elevators were present. But were they smooth? Nah, felt like a slightly jerky rollercoaster. Facilities for disabled guests – Seemed adequate from my brief peek, but I'd really love to hear from someone with actual experience. Please, real people, tell me your experiences! The elevator journey was also a bit of a concern (I'm a bit claustrophobic). And for the love of all that is holy, can we please have wider doorways everywhere? It’s not just about wheelchairs, folks! Think bellies, luggage, awkward dance moves that require a bit of a sidestep… you get the picture.
Rooms: My Personal Sanctuary (or Lack Thereof)
My room, ah, the room. Available in all rooms, it had…things. Air conditioning? Yes, thank goodness, because [Mention the weather condition, e.g., "it was hotter than Satan's skillet."] Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! – And blessedly, it worked. Internet access – wireless – was also present, which is good for the modern traveler. Alarm clock, hair dryer, in-room safe box - check, check, check. Complimentary tea and coffee/tea maker - my morning saviors. Blackout curtains — vital for anyone who wants to sleep in.
But the "details" are what matter, right? The bed, which for me, was an extra long bed – needed, believe me. The bathroom? Adequate, but the shower pressure was a whisper. A whisper! I felt like a hostage in a desert oasis. And that mirror… it was doing something weird. I swear I looked five years older. (Might have just been the lack of sleep.) The soundproofing was also a major win, I couldn't hear the late-night revelers in the hallway.
Amenities: A Buffet of Options (and a Plea to Simplify)
Things to do & ways to relax
- Okay, let's face it, I didn't try everything. But the Fitness center? Looked decent, but I opted for the sauna (more on that later.) The Swimming pool [outdoor]? Pictures were Instagram-worthy. The Spa was a maybe for me. Too much "pampering" isn’t my thing, but the sheer number of options was overwhelming. Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap – where do I even begin?
Dining, drinking and snacking
Breakfast [buffet] - the star of the show. Seriously, it was glorious. Asian breakfast stuff, Western breakfast stuff, all-the-stuff buffet. Coffee/tea in restaurant was a necessity. The Bar looked fun, but I didn't stay. The Poolside bar – tempting, but more importantly, they had bottle of water! Hydration is king. I didn't get to try the restaurants (plural!), but I peeked in the Coffee shop… I wanted that coffee.
A shout-out to the Room service [24-hour] which was lifesaver after a long day, and the snack bar which was an absolute blessing. The Happy hour I missed, much to my regret.
The Sauna Saga (aka, My Personal Hell and Heaven)
Now, the sauna… Let me tell you a story. I stumbled into the sauna after a tough day, thinking, "Ah, blissful heat." And then… I realized I'd left my book in the room. I was stuck. I had to sit there. I had to endure. I started to sweat, a lot of it, my brain was melting, I was considering if I could stay in the sauna. I don’t do well in small spaces, let alone hot ones, and after 25 minutes, I was ready to bolt, BUT the mental calm that came afterward was divine. (The spa/sauna combo was probably the ticket.) I'm still thinking about that moment, a total reset.
Cleanliness & Safety: (Mostly) Reassuring
Right now, the world is a germy place. So, how did they do? Anti-viral cleaning products were listed. Daily disinfection in common areas - reassuring. Hand sanitizer everywhere – bless you, hotel gods. Rooms sanitized between stays? Seemed like it. Staff trained in safety protocol? Hopefully. I am not gonna lie, I had my own hand sanitizer.
Services & Conveniences: A Mixed Bag of Wants and Needs
- Concierge - they were helpful, but not quite the "magic touch" I was hoping for.
- Elevator – functional, but see above.
- Laundry service – Yes!
- Daily housekeeping – Yay, clean towels! I left the "Do not disturb" sign up more than once… and then felt bad.
- Car park [free of charge] – A huge win! I hate parking.
For the Kids: (I Don't Have Any, But…)
Family/child friendly? Seemed like it. I saw some kids running around. They seemed…happy. Babysitting service was an option.
Getting Around: A Word to the Wise
Airport transfer? Offered, I didn't take it. Taxi service? Present and readily available, but probably not cheap. Car park [free of charge]? Fantastic! And essential. Car park [on-site] - YES!
The Verdict (My Honest, Unfiltered Opinion):
Would I stay here again? Maybe. It depends on what I'm after. It's not perfect, not by a long shot, but it's definitely got some redeeming qualities. The breakfast, the sauna epiphany, the fact that there was a decent wifi in all rooms… all that counts for something, right? Also, I want to feel understood by the place I'm staying, and this had a vibe, that's a bit hard to put your finger on.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars. (And that's being generous, because I really need a good coffee right now.)
Escape to Paradise: Lacasa Hotel Villas, Riyadh's Luxury OasisAlright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're diving headfirst into my Kolkata adventure. Think less "polished travel blog" and more "disorganized journal of a mildly-deranged tourist." We're talking Treebo Radhe Palace, Kolkata, here we go!
Day 1: Arrival & That Initial "What-Have-I-Done?" Feeling
7:00 AM (ish) - Arrival at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU): Ugh. Flights. I hate them. This one was supposed to be direct, but of course, a minor (read: significant) delay kicked things off. I was surviving on stale airplane biscuits and that weird, slightly-stewed coffee. Stepping off the plane into the Kolkata heat was like walking into a wet, warm, hug. A very clingy hug. I definitely regretted the long sleeves.
8:00 AM (give or take) - The Great Taxi Negotiation: Honestly, this is practically a sport in Kolkata. The first ten guys all quote you prices that seem plucked from thin air. After a fifteen-minute standoff, I managed to wrangle a slightly less absurd fare to the hotel. The taxi driver, a lovely man with a mustache that could rival a walrus, blasted Bollywood music the entire ride. I'm still humming the tune.
9:30 AM - Check-in at Treebo Radhe Palace: Okay, I'll admit, the lobby was a little…underwhelming. But the staff were sweet. And the AC? Glorious. I could have kissed it. My room was small but clean. Bonus points for the complimentary water bottles, because after that taxi ride, I was parched. This is good, this is fine.
10:00 AM - The Post-Travel Funk: I always hit this point. Feeling a little shaky, brain fog, and a deep-seated fear I forgot to pack my toothbrush. (I didn't, thankfully). Forced myself to shower (refreshing!) and then collapsed on the bed for a good half hour. I started to wish I had packed a proper travel pillow.
11:00 AM - First Kolkata Street Food Adventure: A Mishap! Okay, I had grand plans. I was picturing myself, a fearless foodie, sampling everything in sight. The reality? I took one bite of something called a "phuchka" (a fried, hollow ball filled with tamarind water and other delights) and immediately regretted it. My stomach did flips. Apparently, I wasn't as fearless as I thought. I ran back to the hotel faster than Usain Bolt. This might have been the moment I started questioning my life choices. But hey, at least it was an experience, right?
1:00 PM- Post-Mishap Recovery: Ordered room-service at the hotel, some plain rice and something they called "dal". The dal was surprisingly delicious. Thank god I still had my stomach intact!
2:00 PM - Rest: Sleep, I think I need and a proper nap!
4:00 PM - A Bit of Culture! The only thing I could manage was the hotel swimming pool. The best decision of my life!
6:00 PM - Dinner at Hotel: I don't think I am strong enough to leave the hotel, I will eat at their restaurant.
Later - Journaling and Bed: Woke up again to write this travel journal!
Day 2: Victoria Memorial & Emotional Overload!
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast. The hotel buffet? Decent. The idli was pretty good. The coffee, not so much: I'm still working on getting used to the Indian coffee style.
- 10:00 AM - Victoria Memorial Pilgrimage: Okay, this place is STUNNING. Seriously, the grandeur of it. The marble! I had to stop myself from just gaping at it. I mean, it's a building dedicated to a Queen, so naturally, it's extra. I'm not even a history buff, but the sheer scale of the place was impressive. I may have shed a tear. (Don't judge me, it was dusty).
- 11:30 AM - Exploring the Grounds: The gardens are beautiful, like, Instagram-worthy beautiful. I wandered for what seemed like hours, just soaking it all in. I swear, I saw one of the squirrels wink at me. Maybe the heat was getting to me.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch: Found a little cafe near the Memorial. Ordered something I couldn't pronounce, but it turned out to be tasty. Almost as good as grandma's cooking.
- 2:30 PM - Back to the hotel. Feeling all the feels (mostly good ones!)
- 6:00 PM - Dinner: Trying to convince myself to go out again; it is too hot for my liking. Hotel it is.
Day 3: The Howrah Bridge & Chaos (and a Touch of Brilliance)
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast. I think I am getting used to the style of coffee here.
- 10:00 AM - The Howrah Bridge: This is Kolkata's ICON. It's enormous, it's rusty, it's impressive. The sheer number of people milling about was overwhelming. The constant stream of traffic, the honking, the smells…it's a sensory overload in the best possible way.
- 11:30 AM - A Boat Ride on the Hooghly River: Pure magic. The chaotic city receded a bit, the air was cooler, and I got to see the Howrah Bridge from a different perspective. I felt a sense of peace. Briefly. Until the boatman started singing Bollywood songs. But it was still lovely.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch: Street food! This time, I was more cautious. I found a stall selling something like "potato chop", and took a leap of faith. It was fantastic! I am still alive, it is a win!
- 6:00 PM - Dinner at the Hotel
Day 4: Marble Palace & Reflecting… and maybe a little bit of packing panic
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast and packing: Trying to see if I can fit all my stuff into my luggage.
- 10:00 AM - Marble Palace: It was like stepping into a time capsule of opulent excess. The details! The art! The sheer stuff! It was overwhelming in the best way. I got lost in the maze of rooms and lost track of time.
- 1:00 PM - Head back to the hotel: Exhausted and happy!
- 2:00 PM - Hotel Check-out
- 3:00 PM - Flight: Time to head back home
Overall Thoughts: Kolkata, You're a Trip!
Kolkata is a whirlwind. It's messy, it's chaotic, It's a city that gets under your skin. It challenged me, it surprised me, and it, at times, completely overwhelmed me. I definitely ate some questionable things. I got lost a lot. But I wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I would recommend this city to anyone, I do not regret coming here. This city is a vibe. And sometimes, that's all you need.
(P.S. I still have no idea what "dal" actually is, but I'm pretty sure I love it.)
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