Club Mahindra, Nawalgarh

Club Mahindra’s property at a non-descript place like Nawalgarh attracted our attention as it was totally unheard of. Upon checking with Club Mahindra we came to know that the property is still under development and may or may not look like as per the pictures.

We took the risk and planned our one week trip to Nawalgarh.

There were two ways to do reach our destination and they were:

1. Go to Jaipur to Sikar to Nawalgarh

2. Or try something new and turn towards kothputali and take the lesser travelled road.

We took option 2 and got to see great views. However, the only drawbacks were:

1. There were no good places to eat on the way and hence we survived on chips and coke that we     

        carried with us.

2. It took us longer than usual and the staff at the property was worried and kept calling us again and 

        again to make sure that we reach before dark.

3. Due to potholed road I had to frequently press the brakes. This heated up the discs and we had to stop        for a while so that they can cool down.

Upon reaching we were mesmerized by the remoteness and shocked by the first room given to us. The room was right in front of the pool. Ideal location, some would say. However, the pool was being built and there was cement, bricks, etc. everywhere.

We asked for another room and were given a room on the ground floor of the haveli. We asked for a change as it was right next to the hotel lawns and was too noisy. Upon our request they agreed to give us another room on the top floor the next day.

To our surprise we were given the room post dinner.

What we loved at the property:

1. NO TV. Yes there are no TVs at the property and the manager of the resort came and explained to us 

        the reason personally. We were skeptical at first and it was eerily quiet on first night. But this was the             best part of the stay.

2. Organic food. The vegetables are grown right at the back of the property without fertilizers and 

        pesticides.

3. Being woken up by the peacocks. Yes every morning you see so many peacocks and one is woken’ 

        up by their noise. Excellent way to be woken up.

Activities that can be done

1. Pottery class

2. Horse riding

3. Play badminton / cricket in the evening

4. Visit the haveli towns nearby

5. Visit Kathu Shyam and Balaji

Overall a nice property to stay. This is not your regular hotel but worth the experience.

Club Mahindra, Nawalgarh

One of the Haveli's

Le Meridien, Jaipur

After staying at Trident Jaipur I was tempted to stay at "Le Meridian", Jaipur. Finally they were offering a good deal when we were planning our annual trip to Rajasthan.

It was then that I decided to stay at the property for a night, as a stopover between our destination and Delhi. The deal was 9K INR (Room, Breakfast and one SPA session for a couple).

What I remember from the trip is:

1. Sitting by the pool procrastinating and sipping fresh lime juice.
2. Relaxing in the SPA
3. Feeling small in huge rooms with high ceiling
4. Wine on the first floor of the restaurant

The property is grand and rooms are of good size with good sized bathrooms. Had a great stay at the hotel and enjoyed it. The restaurant serves awesome food. Chef and waiting staff is well versed with what’s on offer and what's liked by the people.

Few little problems that we faced were:

1. The staff expects tips at every step you take.
2. English is terrible even with the reception staff
3. The cue by the billiards/pool table was broken and even after repeated complaints it was not fixed. (Again a staff issue)
4. They need to do something with pigeons sitting out in the balconies. Basically one cannot open the balconies because of the mess created by pigeons.
 

Choosing seats while flying

Being in a job which involves lot of air travel, I have developed my own preferences while flying. This may or may not work for you and are solely my views.

1. First few rows are the bumpiest as they face the turbulence first.

2. The last few rows swing and bump like a see saw.

3. The most stable rows are on the wing although the engine noise is noticeable.

4. Seats near to toilets are the worst because of Odor, People Hanging around to go to the loo, etc.

5. Aisle seats are good for easy access, but if you suffer from motion sickness they are the worst seats.

Few Tips for the Nervous Flyers

1. Develop a habit such as Writing, Watching Movies, Listening to Music, Reading Books, etc. Basically anything that will divert your attention.

2. Try to take up window seat as you feel more in control because you can see around and make out what is happening around you.

3. Take up seats in emergency exit rows so that mentally you feel secure.

Flying with Indigo

Except for Mumbai airport if you are a corporate traveler make sure you get the bunny rabbit sticker on your baggage tag when you check in.

This sticker is to fast track your luggage, something like Priority tag on Jet.

Flying with Indigo

While flying indigo airlines please do not sit at row 10 or the last few rows.

Trolley 1 ends servicing at row 10 and take up to 1 hour 20 mins to serve food which is pathetic if your flight is 1 hour 40 minutes (Mumbai - Delhi). If you ever get the seats mentioned have food before you sit in the flight.

Bon voyage! 

Full Service Airlines, India

After the embarrassing closure of Kingfisher Airlines, India is left with only 2 full fare airlines.

1. Air India

2. Jet Airways

We in India love bargains which is clear from the number of low fare airlines. Among the two full fare airlines mentioned above. Except for leg space there is nothing much to write about Air India.

Jet Airways gives some decent service which is at par with Indigo or slightly above.

I have been travelling a lot with Jet Airways lately; as most of the corporate(s) prefer to fly their executives with them. But, I cannot relate to Jet Airways as a full service airlines.

1. The food portions and good for a 10 year old.

2. They do not serve any soft drinks / mocktails.

3. Most of the food served is "Street Food" like Veg Noodles with Manchurian, Ragda Patties (Mumbai Steet Food), etc.

4. Planes are ageing. Which is evident from their upkeep.

5. In today's age they do not have any screens to watch movies, etc.

The only hope is Tata and Singapore Airlines tie up to fly in Indian skies. Lets hope and pray that it happens. At the moment it is stuck in red tape.

Olive Bistro, Cyberhub (Gurgaon, India)

Cyberhub, Gurgaon is the newest happening places in Gurgaon. This is a place which gives you temporary illusion of that you are not in India.

Olive Bistro is at the first floor. Since, nowadays people do not read beyond few lines I will not make my post very long. 

1. The place is really great. In winters if it is sunny you can sit outside and have your food and drinks.

2. Works out to be 600INR per person.

3. Great food - do try their mocktails they are good.

The place will not delight you in a way that you are stunned and amazed. But it is a great place to spend an evening with some good friends and good food.

British Airways Offers

Return Flights from Mumbai to London at 51079INR only and host of other offers.
Click Here to see the details.

Taj Hotels may soon ink deal to manage Claridges Surajkund, Faridabad (Haryana, India)

Claridges Suraj Kund soon to be acquired by Taj Group

See the link for more details.

Mac Donalds, Faridabad (Haryana, India)

A new outlet of MacDonalds is now open at Crown Interiors Mall.

This is in addition to:

- Mac Donalds at Crown Plaza
- Mac Donalds Sector 31 (Drive in)
- Mac Donalds Sector 12