Shot by: Anand George for Drive Around The Globe

Continuing my exhilarating inter-country road trip with my school friends, the third leg took us from the picturesque city of Siliguri to the enchanting hill station of Gangtok. The winding roads and hilly terrains demanded a comfortable ride, and our Mahindra Scorpio once again delivered just that. But we needed accommodations that matched the level of comfort we were accustomed to. Enter Ramada, Gangtok.

Upon arriving near the hotel location, I was initially concerned about parking. After all, manoeuvring a full-size SUV can be a challenge in tight spaces. However, to my pleasant surprise, Ramada, Gangtok had ample parking space in the cellar, instantly putting my worries to rest.

After a long journey from Pokhara in Nepal to Siliguri, followed by a quick stopover, my gang was eagerly in search of comfort, and we headed straight to the hotel. A warm and traditional welcome at the front desk set the tone for our stay. As I entered my room, the valley view outside my window greeted me, and I was immediately refreshed, forgetting the weariness of travel.

Following a power nap, we made our way to the dining area for lunch. The ambience was so perfect that we couldn’t help but feel pampered, and we were willing to overlook any minor imperfections in service. Though there was a slight delay in food service, it hardly mattered once we dug into the delectable Mutton Rogan Josh and biryani. Trust me; if you’re a fan of non-vegetarian cuisine, you’ll know exactly what to order after reading this review.

After indulging in these culinary delights, it was time for evening drinks by the poolside. The view was nothing short of breathtaking, with the infinity pool on the terrace offering a blend of valley and cityscape. With a glass of wine in hand and some Bollywood tunes to hum along to, we had a fantastic evening that seemed to fly by.

Before we knew it, dinner time had arrived again, and guess what we ordered? You guessed it – the irresistible Mutton Rogan Josh and biryani. While there were other menu options available, these two dishes completely won us over with their mouth-watering flavours.

After savouring this sumptuous feast, we were ready for the good night’s sleep we had missed during the last two days of continuous travel. With a variety of rooms at our disposal, I, being the only woman in the group, had the complete suite to myself. My room had it all – from a mini-bar to a phone charger, self-controlled temperature, coffee/tea maker, hairdryer, HDTV, sitting area, upgraded bathroom amenities, alarm clock, desk with a lamp, streaming web TV, video games, free newspaper, iPod docking station, iron, safe that could fit my laptop, slippers, tables, and chairs. It was a luxurious haven that catered to every need.

After a restful sleep, it was time to hit the road again. As we were supposed to head for our final leg that was undisclosed to us, we were a little spoiled with all this comfort and were not ready to leave so soon. But, as something more exciting awaited, with heavy hearts, we had to bid adieu to Ramada, Gangtok. And, before we did that, it was again time to pay a final visit to the restaurant for a delicious breakfast. With a widespread breakfast buffet, we stuffed ourselves for the journey ahead. The smiles on our faces were as excited for the next destination as our hearts were heavy for parting ways with this Himalayan hideaway. But, as they say, we always go back to places we love. And, Ramada, Gangtok, we will be back soon.

In conclusion, I would say Ramada, Gangtok, is not just a hotel; it’s a Himalayan hideaway that exceeded our expectations. From comfortable accommodations to mouthwatering cuisine, this property offered us an unforgettable experience. So, if you find yourself on the winding roads to Gangtok, do yourself a favour and check into Ramada. You’ll not only get a comfortable stay but also a taste of culinary heaven. Also, they have their in-house Casino Golden if you want to try your luck out. This is why I say, it’s a place where comfort meets cuisine, and I can’t wait to return for another delightful adventure. With this, I say Ramada, Gangtok, isn’t just a hotel; it’s an experience worth savouring.