For those who want to experience life in the jungle while not giving up on their basic comforts, then Camp Rhino may be the answer. The eco-resort, which is a good base from which to explore the Kaziranga National Park, is located opposite the Kanchanjuri view point on the NH-37 highway. Even when the park is closed, visitors can see the famous one-horned rhino from the resort tower.

Camp Rhino provides eight luxurious bungalows, each of which has an attached bath and shower. Located at some distance from one another, so visitors can enjoy their privacy, each bungalow have sofas, chairs and tables, which can be moved to the porch or lawn outside to enjoy the early morning sun. A tip: do ask to drink the local tea which is grown here in the resort. For food, the camp also provides a dining hall where north-Indian, Chinese and local cuisine can be provided. Those so inclined can even visit the local shops with the manager, and help to select the produce themselves. In the evening, post a visit to the Kaziranga National Park, campfire barbeques are provided upon request.

For those looking for luxury and hotel-like comforts, the Camp Rhino is not the best option. But for those looking to experience nature, this is the place to visit. The resort manger also organizes personalized tours through the Kaziranga, for those looking to see specific animals such as the waterfowl, which is especially ideal for those who are animal lovers.

How to get there

Air: The nearest airport is situated at Jorhat, which is about 100 Kms from the resort and connects to Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata daily.

Road: The resort is situated on the NH-37 and has its own bus stop. It is about 190 kms from Guwahati and 100 kms from Jorhat.

Address: Opposite Kanchanjuri View Point Kaziranga, Kaziranga National Park 782136,

Tel No: 099 57 283951

Located in the heart of Dibrugarh, City Regency Hotel is one of the best options for the busy business traveller or a family wanting to explore Dibrugarh. Transportwise, the hotel is very well connected, located just 500 metres from the Dibrugarh railway station. For those looking to travel around Assam, an inter-star bus service is located nearby the hotel. There is a cinema and a mall next door, which makes the location of the hotel ideal for families and those who are looking to relax and unwind.

The hotel, a three star hotel, is one of the best propositions that visitors can find in Dibrugarh. Major credit cards are accepted so visitors can pre-book before checking in. Currency exchange, airport transfers, room service and free Wi-fi are some the other options visitors can avail of here. The hotel also has an in-house bar called Dorado and multi-cuisine restaurant which offers Continental, Chinese and Indian dishes, which includes South Indian. Surprisingly, there are not much local Assamese dishes on offer in the menu. The hotel also has a banquet hall called the Dewan-E-Aaam, which can cater up to 100 people. Also on offer is Nayana a beauty shop and a boutique store on offer with the hotel.

There are 33 rooms in this hotel and the rooms range from deluxe suite category to the deluxe room category. The deluxe suite category offers a bedroom and a separate dining and drawing room with a dining table. The amenities include a tea/coffee maker with complimentary mineral water and magazines. Women can avail of a hair dryer. The deluxe suite costs Rs 9,000 at the rack rate. Other categories include the Executive room, the Luxury Room and the standard Deluxe Room. This room which provides a writing table and free Wi-Fi costs Rs 1,800 for single occupancy and Rs 2,400 for double occupancy. Do be warned though: these rates do include taxes and can be subject to change. And do note: in this summer season, the hotel does offer special vacation deals so do check with staff before booking.

Location: 500 metres away from Dibrugarh railway station, airport 17 km away

Number of rooms: 14

Facilities

Bar/Lounge
Business Centre
Fitness Centre
Restaurant

Useful tip: Inter State Bus Station just 500 metres from hotel.
from our hotel. Ideal connectivity to Upper Assam

Website: www.cityregencyhotel.com

Located in the heart of West Sikkim, in Darap, Daragaon Retreat is a home away from home. Allowing visitors to appreciate the local culture, this charming home retreat is just a 10 minute drive away from Pelling on the Yuksam-Khechepari road, and is run by Shiva and his wife Radha. The retreat is ideally suited for couples and families who want to enjoy a cozy environment along with some mouth-watering local delicacies. Visitors here can choose from two deluxe rooms, two cozy cottage rooms and tented facilities that ensure that ensure that one is taken away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Early risers can enjoy a brisk walk up to the limbo village (about 800 metres uphill) to see the Kanchendzonga – the world’s third highest peak – at sunrise.

For sightseeing, Pelling is only 5 kilometres away from Darap, from where most visitors start their tour of Sikkim. It is easy to get shared jeeps from Darap to Pelling (Rs 20) though the walk is beautiful. Most places of interest are within walking distance from Pelling, and it will takes about 6-7 hours to cover all of them. Furthermore for those interested, the hosts organize a trip to the local village to give visitors an insight into the local culture and a chance to interact with the locals. For further trips and treks and throughout the state through the Northeast, Shiv is a mine of information. Often sitting with guests at dinner, his stories about Sikkim are an ideal way to pass the evenings.

The place is comfortable but do bear in mind that it is a home retreat and those expecting hotel style amenities such as room service, mini-bar should look elsewhere. Indeed for dinner, it is Radha who does the cooking herself and hence it is courtesy to tell her the hours at which you will dine beforehand, and also to eat dinner as early as possible. Also, bear in mind that this retreat, considered one of the best in Sikkim is in a mountainous region and located atop a steep path, for which elderly guests in particular may take getting used to. However, bearing in mind that this is the Himalayas, it is unlikely that you will receive this authentic experience of the mountains anywhere else.

How to reach Darap:

Darap is easily accessible by road by any part of Sikkim. It is a four to five hour drive from the nearest stations like Siliguri, Gangtok, Bagdogra, Kalimpong. You can take a jeep or reserve a taxi from Siliguri. If asked, the hosts can provide a pick up and drop to the airport or to the nearest railway station.

Just a short walk away from Kaziranga National Park, the Bon Habi Resort is the perfect place for those looking to experience the wild. The facility offers 14 spacious twin-bed cottages, all with magnificent views of tropical rainforests bordered by paddy fields. The USP of Bon Habi is the ‘courtyard’: A large, open area in the centre of the lodge, the courtyard allows visitors to be at one with nature and provides for great evenings around a campfire, drink in hand. (Here’s a special tip: The courtyard has a special shaded seating area, for those who want to relax, read a book, or just soak in the delightfully tranquil surroundings.)

The resort organizes animal safaris and excursions for birdwatchers. Nature-lovers, accompanied by an experienced naturalist, can visit the renowned Kaziranga National Park. Here, you’re likely to spot the one-horned rhinoceros, wild buffalo―and, thrillingly, even a tiger. And for something completely different, visitors can drop in at the Dr Robin Banerjee Dolls Museum. Located on Mission Road in Golaghat, 35km from Kaziranga, this museum has a display of over 500 types of dolls.

The lodge at Bon Habi offers sporting activities, indoor and outdoor, including volleyball, badminton and chess, and also stocks a number of wildlife films, which can be seen on request (you can also watch your own wildlife film on video!). The resort is a wonderful place for wildlife and nature enthusiasts but keep in mind there are none of the standard hotel amenities here; there is no ‘in-room’ telephone, so if you want to eat in the room, you’ll have to make your way to the kitchen to order meals. Alternatively, you can walk to the multi-cuisine restaurant, which serves great local delicacies.

Distance:

250km, or a 5-hour drive, from Kaziranga

Facilities:

Multi-cuisine restaurant with seating for 30 people; Safaris into Kaziranga and bird watching; Volleyball, badminton, chess

For more information: www.bonhabiresort.com

Landmark Hotel, in the heart of Guwahati, offers personalised comforts for guests in search of an inexpensive option. Overlooking the Nehru Stadium, the hotel doubles as a guesthouse for cricketers; sports lovers can enjoy the sight of an impromptu cricket match (especially if one is staying on the upper floors). Landmark is situated on a busy street so it can get noisy, but the hotel more than makes up for it by being conveniently located―next door to Guwahati’s eating, shopping and sightseeing spots.

The rooms, equipped with the usual amenities of a budget hotel (including air-conditioning, TVs, and tea and coffee machines), are good, but if one is prepared to spend a little more, a suite is really the best option here; each suite offers a large sit-out balcony from where one can enjoy the cricket in the adjoining stadium. In every aspect, this hotel is ideal, but especially so when Guwahati is hosting a sporting event.

For business travellers, Landmark has five conference halls; these can hold 20 people for small meetings, and upwards of 200 people for larger gatherings. A banquet area, catering to over 1,000 people, is also available for events and marriages.

In addition, Landmark offers a more-than-decent dining option in ‘The Yellow Table’ that serves a good Chinese meal.

Location:

Approximately 2 km from the railway station and 29 km from the airport

Facilities:

The Yellow Table (multi-speciality restaurant); The Piano Bar (serves wine); Hair & Beauty Studio (managed by trained personnel from Habibs); Business Center & Travel Desk

Kiranshree Portico is ideal for busy businessmen who have to move around Guwahati fast. Taxis from the airport stop just opposite the hotel, which is also situated close to the railway station. And behind the hotel is the local Shillong taxi stand, a convenience that makes for hassle-free commuting around the city. You can also request the hotel to organize taxis (receipts provided if asked for).

Kiranshree has all the facilities to suit the business traveller. Computers with internet (and printers) are available in the lobby; Wi-Fi is provided at no extra charge. Rooms have the regular amenities like central air-conditioning, LCD TVs, a tea- and coffee-maker, and a few extras (including a fruit basket and cookies).

For the businessman, no expense is spared; the hotel can make available conferencing facilities. The conference halls can cater to as little as 15, and as many as 500 people; the halls come equipped with whiteboard, flipchart and LCD projectors. Audio systems, a DVD―and even a butler service―are also available (provided one makes a request in advance).

As for meals, guests can either venture into the bazaar or enjoy the hotel’s restaurant, ‘White Pearl’, which offers local delicacies and live music. There is also a coffee shop and a lounge bar on the hotel premises. Do make it a point to order morning tea here, as it may well be the highlight of your trip.

Location:

21km from Guwahati airport, 1km from the railway station

Facilities:

Fruit basket on arrival; Digital safe; Minibar (fully stocked); Computers in lobby; Wi-Fi internet connectivity

Situated in the village of Tapesia on the outskirts of Guwahati, the idyllic Brahmaputra Jungle Resort is (as the name suggests) a wild retreat. Set on the top of a hill, this three-star resort has an impressive designed complete with a waterfall, a mini-lake, tea gardens at the front, and the Amchang Wildlife Sanctuary at its back. It really is the perfect getaway.

You’ll be well looked after here: guests booking in will find the owner Rajendra Tripathi’s name and contact number displayed prominently in the room. There are a number of lodging options available for travellers; they can either plump for the eco-friendly cottages (some of which have ACs) or camp out in the open. (A special tip: It is advisable to stay in tents in the winter, to avoid the insects.) When it comes to dining, the resort serves an array of local dishes that are not easily get elsewhere, for instance, the popular duck curry, and an assortment of pork dishes.

The resort is spread over a large area, and besides the mini-lake and a swimming pool, guests can enjoy complimentary elephant, pony and boat rides. Birdwatchers can set off on a small trek (accompanied by a naturalist); while for those who want to experience the wild, the resort organizes half-day trips to the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (you’re more than likely to spot rhinos here).

Make the most of early morning here: wander around, sit back, have a cup of tea and enjoy the sight of beautiful birds. Once you have finished your cuppa, enjoy a good leisurely breakfast (complimentary with your stay).

Another tip:

Paying by credit card might be a problem, so be prepared to settle your bills in cash.

Location:

36km from Guwahati airport; 26km from Guwahati railway station

Facilities:

Complimentary breakfast; elephant, pony and boat rides onsite; bird watching treks; half-day trip to Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary (deer, among other animals, can be spotted in the resort campus)

For more information: www.brahmaputraresort.in

Hotel Millennium, set in the heart of the city, offers spacious accommodation and good service. Located in the heart of Guwahati, a km from the railway station and 21 km from Guwahati, it is within close range o shops and local market. This three-start property pegs itself as a luxury hotel. However, it may not be luxury in that sense but it attempts to provide all that a traveler would require. A 24-hour room service, functional workstation, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee maker, an indoor swimming pool and a fairly descent multi-cuisine restaurant, a bar and of course, a spacious banquet hall, The Grand, equipped with private lobbies, entrances and bridal rooms, that could come handy for those wanting to organize a party or an event.

Small details like an express laundry and dry cleaning services make it convenient for guests looking out for that kind of attention.

The hotel also gives importance to the size of its rooms which come in three categories: deluxe, super deluxe and family deluxe room. Vitrified-tile flooring, big and spacious windows that overlook the nearby market, curtains matching the bedcovers add to the décor of the room which are nonetheless spic and span. Each room comes with an LCD TV. Guests find it convenient walk around the nearby local market to sample a little of the local culture.

In the evening, guests can call it a day at the very in-house bar, Infinity that stocks a decent wine list.

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