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Summers approaching fast, people in the plains are already planning to seek refuge in the hills, at least for a few days during the vacations when the mercury will cross 45 degrees centigrade. Not all can afford to go to Switzerland, so they remain in their own land and travel to nearby stations in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the more adventurous ones to Kashmir. Not many go to Ladakh due to poor connectivity. Though the same can be said for other hill stations, but they are, at least, connected by road routes. Most of the hotels in these stations like Manali, Shimla, Nainital and Mussoorie have often left me disappointed because of their poor maintenance, lack of parking facility and hopeless food. Exceptions are always there and this was one – the Shervani Hilltop in Nainital. Indeed, the Shervani Hilltop is perched almost on the top of a hill. A few hundred yards from the High Court of this lake town, a steep road takes you to Shervani Hilltop. The narrow climb up the hill might be scary, but inside the premises, Shervani offers enough parking space for guest cars. Indeed a big comfort; there are many others where a car has to be parked a hundred or more yards away from the hotel and the guests have to climb up the distance on feet which turns out to be too tiring. Park your car outside the reception and simply walk in ; what a relief. Shervani Hilltop is spread out on a sprawling flat land on a hill. Not a multi-storey structure where one has to rely on an unreliable elevator, guest rooms are just one or two floor high so they don't leave you out of breath by the time you have reached your room. Rooms are exceptionally well maintained ; in fact the hotel utilizes the off season period to carry out its annual maintenance so that during the season time, everything is perfect for the guests. At the same time they have been tastefully furnished and each has a view of the hills; in some the sun rays come in directly in the morning while others have the sun peeping during the day. Rooms have sit-out areas for the guests, where they can enjoy a cup of tea or simply the view outside. Not only are the rooms well maintained, but they are neatlythey are neatly kept, beds and linen are spotless white, bathroom slippers, mini-bar, tea – coffee machine add to the comfort. It is unlike most of the hill station hotels which concentrate simply on making money. What is more surprising are the bathrooms, which, beyond my expectation, are well lit, spacious, clean, equipped with branded fittings and offer standard toiletries like a 5-star hotel. The bathrooms do not stink as they do in most of the hill station hotels, an electric exhaust keeps the bathroom odor free. Overall rated, the Shervani Hilltop rooms are excellent. Another added advantage is the location of the hotel which keeps it away from the city's noises. Located at a higher altitude than the residential and commercial area of Nainital, the Shervani Hilltop is a quiet place to stay in. The litmus test for a hotel is the food. I have often been served tasteless food, at times mutton which had to be chewed over 64 times before a piece could be swallowed. Shervani Hilltop scores well in its food quality too. The non- vegetarian preparations are as good as the vegetarian. While stress is on Indian cuisine, it does not mean that one cannot order an Italian Pasta or other continental dish. Not to forget the well-stocked bar – The Courtyard—which comes into action at noon and remains abuzz till late in the evening. A fire place keeps the guests warm. One can also opt to sit out in the open for a bar-be-cue or regular meals while a singer entertains the guests and a bonfire keeps you in high spirits. Live music can also be enjoyed in the restaurant which serves buffet in the evening. Breakfast buffet is also served in the same restaurant and is quite impressive. The taste and quality of food proves that the Shervani employs professional chefs and not simply ill-trained cooks from small eateries. Shervani Hilltop has not forgotten to add an entertainment room where families can enjoy a game of billiards, table tennis or chess. For toddlers a separate section has been erected. Not to forget the conference hall which can cater to small conferences and meetings or serve as a banquet hall. What impresses the guests on arrival is the garden near the parking which comes up in terraces with beautiful blooming flowers. Tourists staying at Shervani Hilltop does not miss anything; the hotel has a shuttle service going down to the market and the Mall area. The service is complimentary. Want to go boating, call the shuttle and you are there in a matter of few minutes. There are sightseeing packages available at the reception so the guests do not have to be fleeced by the touts. One can sum up saying Shervani Hilltop is a professionally managed hotel. For tourists travelling to Nainital and nearby areas, a stay at Shervani Hilltop is recommended, more so if you wish to escape the stress of the busy cities. |
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