Ahmedabad's Royal Escape: Uncover the Secrets of O Palak Palace Hotel
Okay, buckle up, because we're diving headfirst into the opulent, possibly-slightly-over-the-top world of Ahmedabad's Royal Escape: the O Palak Palace Hotel. Forget polite, sanitized reviews; this is going to be a messy, honest, and hopefully hilarious account of my own personal palace experience. (And yes, there's a lot to cover, so grab a chai – we'll need it.)
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- Meta Description: My honest, messy, and often funny review of O Palak Palace Hotel in Ahmedabad. From the sprawling spa and accessible features to the (sometimes overwhelming!) dining options, join me on a rambling adventure through this "Royal Escape." You'll get the real scoop!
Arrival & First Impressions (The Grand Entrance – or, rather, My Struggle)
Okay, the first thing that hits you about O Palak Palace is… well, it's big. Like, "I hope I don't get lost wandering the hallways" big. The lobby is all gleaming marble, chandeliers that could buy a small village, and staff that, bless them, seem a little too eager to please.
- Accessibility: Now, a big tick in the "good" box here! They do try. The hotel is genuinely wheelchair accessible, with ramps, elevators, and accessible rooms that actually feel accessible (unlike some hotels where it's clearly an afterthought). However, getting to the entrance was a slight… adventure. The initial ramp was a bit steep, and I honestly felt like I was about to need a sherpa. But once inside, smooth sailing. Bravo on that.
- Doorman: Yes, there’s a doorman! And they'll probably open the door for you and offer some tea.
The Room: My Sanctuary, My Prison?
The room itself… whoa. It’s got everything. Seriously. I'm talking a king-sized bed with enough pillows to build a fort, a minibar that could stock a small liquor store, and a bathroom featuring a separate shower and bathtub. There was even a closet that I think I could have comfortably slept in.
- Available in all rooms: Air conditioning (thank God!), Free Wi-Fi (more on that later), Hair dryer (crucial), Safety box (check), Towels (lots of them), and those fluffy bathrobes that instantly make you feel like royalty.
- Internet access – wireless, also Internet access – LAN: The free Wi-Fi was, let's just say, patchy. I mean, it was free, so I can't complain too much, but I spent a good chunk of my stay wondering if I'd accidentally wandered back into the dial-up era. The LAN cable? Looked promising, but I couldn't get it to work. So I just resigned myself to being slightly disconnected from the digital world, which, in the end, might have been a blessing.
- Room decorations: The room decorations were, eh… a bit much. It was a classic case of “more is more” – brocade drapes, intricate carvings, and a painting of a majestic tiger that stared at me while I tried to eat dinner.
- Non-Smoking Rooms: Great!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Odyssey (or, a Carb Overload?)
Okay, this is where O Palak Palace really shines – and also where things get a little… excessive. They have restaurants galore, offering everything from international cuisine to, well, more international cuisine.
- Restaurants: Multiple!
- Breakfast [Buffet]: The breakfast buffet could feed a small army. It features a mix of Western and Asian breakfast staples. There's a made-to-order station where you can get eggs cooked any way you like. The sheer volume of food was almost overwhelming. I felt like I needed a second stomach just to sample everything. I will say, I tried the (allegedly) Western breakfast once, and it was… underwhelming. The sausages tasted suspiciously like cardboard, and the bacon was more "crispy" than "cooked." On the plus side, the fresh fruit selection was divine.
- Asian breakfast: Not bad, with a variety of Asian dishes to start the day.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes!
- Desserts in restaurant: Oh yes, and a lot of them!
- Room service [24-hour]: Bless them! If you could not get out of the room, you could order, and order, and order.
- Poolside bar: Perfect for a cocktail in the sun, if you're into that.
- Snack bar: They do, in fact, have a snack bar.
- A la carte in restaurant: The restaurant had a variety of food for individuals.
- Alternative meal arrangement: They’ll likely have whatever you’re looking for.
- Bottle of water: They’ll bring you the bottle of water.
- Buffet in restaurant: The buffet never ends!
- Happy hour: You can find a happy hour!
- International cuisine in restaurant: They had a lot of food from a lot of places.
- Salad in restaurant: Salad, you can find a salad.
- Soup in restaurant: Soup!
- Vegetarian restaurant: Sure!
- Western breakfast: You can find the western breakfast, which, as I said, was so-so.
- Western cuisine in restaurant: Yeah.
- Coffee shop: There’s a coffee shop!
Okay, here's the thing: the sheer choice was slightly paralyzing. The menus were huge, the options endless, and I, a simple soul, often found myself staring blankly at a list of dishes I'd never heard of. The staff, though incredibly polite, seemed a little put out when I just wanted a simple sandwich at midnight. But hey, the options are there!
Relaxation Station: Spa, Pool, and (Maybe) Inner Peace?
This is where the "Royal Escape" part of the experience really kicks in.
- Spa/sauna: They have a spa!
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Sauna: The spa!
- Foot bath: They do the foot bath!
- Massage: I got a massage, and it was pretty good – a much-needed escape from the buffet-induced food coma. They even gave me a tiny cup of ginger tea afterward, which felt wonderfully decadent.
- Swimming pool: The pool is stunning – an outdoor oasis surrounded by palm trees.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yes, it's an outdoor pool!
- Pool with view: Beautiful.
- Fitness Center: There's a gym!
- Gym/fitness: Gym!
- Steamroom: Yes!
I spent a good chunk of my time lounging by the pool, soaking up the sun and feeling like a ridiculously spoiled celebrity. (Side note: I’m pretty sure one of the lifeguards was judging my questionable tan lines, but I chose to ignore it.)
Things to Do: Beyond the Buffet
Besides the spa and pool, O Palak Palace offers a handful of other distractions.
- Things to do: Yes, it has things to do.
- Babysitting service: If you're with kids, this is helpful!
- Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site]: You can park a car!
- Cash withdrawal: They’ll let you take out cash!
- Concierge: They are helpful!
- Daily housekeeping: They also do daily housekeeping
- Elevator: There’s an elevator.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings: Meetings!
- Safety deposit boxes: They’ll keep your stuff safe!
- Services and conveniences: They have these.
- Terrace: There's a terrace to explore.
- Valet parking: You can valet!
Cleanliness & Safety: Did They Really Clean?
In a post-pandemic world, this is more important than ever.
- Cleanliness and safety: Yep.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas: Yes!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: The staff were very present throughout the hotel, making certain that everything was clean.
- Doctor/nurse on call: They have one for the sickies!
- First aid kit, Hand sanitizer: Yes!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: I believe this happened.
- Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Probably!
- Hand sanitizer They had hand sanitizer.
- Hygiene certification: It said so!
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yes.
- **Physical distancing
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into a whirlwind tour of… well, ME in Ahmedabad, specifically at the Hotel O Palak Palace. Consider this less a polished itinerary and more, like, a frantic scribble on a napkin, fueled by chai and regret.
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions (aka. The "Lost Luggage & Questionable Butter Chicken" Extravaganza)
- Morning (Sometime After Dawn, Honestly): Landing in Ahmedabad. The sheer, unrelenting heat hits you like a brick wall. And not a metaphorical brick wall, a REAL, hot, sticky, "did my deodorant even bother?" brick wall. Passport control? Stressful. Getting my luggage? Even MORE stressful. Because it didn't arrive. Cue the internal freakout.
- An anecdote: Picture me, jetlagged to the bone, frantically pointing and gesticulating at a very patient airport employee. "Where's my suitcase?! It has… all my essential mosquito repellent! And my lucky socks! (Which, admittedly, aren't THAT lucky.)" He just smiled and said something in Gujarati. I assume it translated to "Sit down, madam. We’ll see."
- Mid-day (The "Palak Palace Arrival & Slight Panic" Phase): Finally arrive at Hotel O Palak Palace. It looks… well, it looks like the pictures online. Which, as we know, can be a lie. The lobby is grand… a bit too grand. Like, "Am I underdressed?" grand. The staff, however, are genuinely lovely and accommodating. They quickly, bless their hearts, helped me sort out the luggage issue (a small victory!). Checking into my room – a sigh of relief. Beautiful, clean, and blessedly air-conditioned.
- Afternoon (Food, Glorious Food… Mostly): Lunch at the hotel restaurant. Ordered butter chicken, anticipating the glorious, creamy hug of comfort food. What I got? Well, let's just say it wasn't quite what I expected. The chicken was… a bit dry. The sauce… too much tomato and not enough butter. Heartbreak on a plate, folks. But hey, I was starving.
- Evening (The "Wandering & Wondering" Adventure): Decided to be brave and venture out. Walked (quickly) towards the old city. The sights, the sounds, the smells (some delightful, some…"challenging") hit you like a tidal wave. The sheer energy of Ahmedabad is intoxicating. Ended up lost (again, shocker) near some spice market. The colours and scents were truly overwhelming. Ended with purchasing cardamom, ginger, and cloves.
- Quirky Observation: Do you know how many motorcycles can possibly fit on one street? More than you think. Seriously.
- Night (The "Bed & Regret" Finale): Back at the hotel, absolutely shattered. Tried to catch up on some sleep, but the air conditioning chose that moment to decide it was a snow machine installation. Kept thinking: " Did I bring enough tissues? This journey is gonna be quite something…"
Day 2: Culture Shock & Culinary Cravings (aka. The "Temple Triumph & Chai Obsession")
Morning (The Temple Trek): Woke up determined to see the famous temples. Hired a rickshaw - the little three-wheeled wonders are EVERYWHERE. Watched the sun come up, it was absolutely breathtaking. Got to the temples and took some pictures.
- Emotional reaction: It was a spiritual reset of sorts and I am so happy that came.
Mid-day (The "Chai, Chai, Everywhere Chai" Fuel-Up): Became completely, utterly, irrevocably obsessed with Chai. It's like the nectar of the gods (or at least, the gods of comfortable mornings). Found a street-side stall, where a kind man brewed me the most amazing cup of chai I've ever tasted. It was cheap. It was strong. It was pure happiness.
Afternoon (Food, round 2): Decided to try a local restaurant. Saw a guy going in, so I followed, who could resist that charming face? The food was spectacular, filled so many flavours. Had this chicken dish that I could die happy eating. I'm starting to think that I'm going to put on a lot of weight.
Evening (The "Night Market Ninja" Stroll): Ventured into a night market. The energy was electric. The prices were insane. Haggling is a must. Bought some colorful fabrics, a couple of silver bangles, and probably, things i will never even touch.
Night (The "Hotel & Thought" Finale) Back at the hotel, absolutely shattered, but elated. The room tonight is colder than yesterday. Not sure if I can sleep but I will try.
- Messier Structure: I think this whole trip is messy, and that's the point
Day 3: The "Last Day" (aka. The "Goodbye, Ahmedabad (For Now) & Packing Pains")
Morning (The "Breakfast Buffet Bonanza"): Decided to be a glutton for punishment and face the hotel breakfast buffet. There was dosas, parathas, and a whole confusing array of things I didn't recognize. Experimented. Some things were delicious. Some were… not.
Mid-day (The "Souvenir Scramble"): Panicked about souvenirs. Went back to the night market (for more cardamom… clearly I have a problem). Bargained ruthlessly (or at least, tried to). Ended up with a bag full of trinkets and a slight feeling of accomplishment.
Afternoon (The "Packing Procrastination & Reflection"): Packing. The bane of my existence. Decided to postpone it. Sat on the balcony, sipping an (amazing) chai, and actually looked at Ahmedabad. Thought about all the experiences of the last few days, and felt a quiet swell of happiness. Despite the lost luggage, the questionable butter chicken, and the general chaos, I loved it. This place has grabbed my heart.
Evening (The "Farewell Feast & Airport Angst"): Enjoyed a final dinner at the hotel, this time, it was perfect. The staff are amazing. Then, the airport. The same airport that had caused me such stress, I was going back…
The “So Long for Now” (Departure): I was ready for the good byes, but now, it was time to leave.
- Stronger emotional reaction: I have cried.
- End emotional reactions: I will definitely be back in Ahmedabad!
Ahmedabad's Royal Escape: O Palak Palace Hotel FAQs (With a Side of My Brain)
Alright, buckle up buttercups. Because I've just finished a stay at the O Palak Palace Hotel in Ahmedabad, and my brain? Well, it's still processing. Let's untangle this regal-sounding experience. Prepare for a bit of a ramble, some opinions, and maybe, just maybe, a few secrets revealed. I’m basically your mildly sleep-deprived, still-processing-the-palatial-ness friend.
Okay, so *is* it actually a palace? (Like, for real?)
Ugh, the burning question of the century! Yes, technically. It *feels* more like a beautifully preserved, slightly eccentric, former residence of a very important person. Think less Buckingham Palace, more... Auntie Meena's beautifully tiled house with the antique furniture and that one weird Buddha statue in the corner. And honestly, the personal touch is what makes it a bit more… interesting.
What's the vibe? Is it stuffy or… something else?
Stuffy? Nah. It's more like… thoughtfully curated. Imagine stepping back in time, but with decent Wi-Fi. (Thank god for the Wi-Fi, honestly.) The decor is stunning, a real feast for the eyes. Seriously, you’ll be Instagramming every single detail. But there's a certain, shall we say, *laid-back* elegance. The staff is incredibly polite, maybe a *little* shy at first, but warm once you get the hang of things. It's not a place you'd wear your most obnoxious designer handbag. Maybe a nice scarf. Or, like me, a comfortable pair of walking shoes because...Ahmedabad!
The food! Tell me about the food! (My stomach is rumbling just thinking about it.)
Okay, listen, the food… is a *major* win. The breakfast buffet? Forget about it. (And by "forget about it," I mean, don't, because you'll regret it!) Parathas, dosas, idlis, the works. I kid you not, I ate so many aloo parathas that I probably single-handedly kept the local potato farmers in business for the month. The dinner menu? A refined take on Gujarati cuisine, perfectly spiced and wonderfully presented. And the service? Impeccable. Like, the waiter knew my tea preference after the first day. Creepy good? Possibly. Awesome? Absolutely.
What are the rooms like? Are they… palatial? (Again, the keyword here.)
Palatial-ish. My room was HUGE. Like, I could have played a quick game of badminton in it without breaking a sweat (okay, maybe a *little* sweat). The beds were comfortable, the air conditioning worked (crucial in Ahmedabad's heat, let me tell you), and the bathrooms were clean and well-appointed. The furniture… well, it was a mix of antiques and modern touches, which is exactly what makes it charming! It's not a sterile, cookie-cutter hotel room. It's got character, like a slightly eccentric, well-traveled auntie. And I found a secret stash of chocolates! Bless the housekeeping gods.
What's the deal with the location? Is it convenient?
Location, location, location! The O Palak Palace is pretty well-situated. It’s a short drive from the city center. Getting around is easy peasy with local transport. It is so peaceful and quiet at night, which is a huge plus. I had a blast taking the Auto-rickshaw, the drivers were so funny! So yeah, convenient. You can easily get to most of the major historical sites (and the amazing food stalls... oh, the food stalls!).
Any hidden gems or quirks I should know about?
Okay, here's the juice. First, get a massage! The spa is small, but the massages are divine. Second, the staff is incredibly helpful. Ask them for recommendations. They know the best local spots. Thirdly, (and this is the quirky part), the hallways sometimes… echo. Like, if someone's having a loud phone conversation at 3 AM, you will know. Consider it part of the 'experience'. And fourthly, the rooftop terrace is lovely at sunset. Get a cup of chai and just… breathe. It's perfect. And if you can, arrange a tour of the hotel’s history. You might just wander down a rabbit hole of interesting stories.
Would you go back? (The big question!)
You know what? Absolutely. Despite a few minor hiccups (those echoing hallways!), I *loved* it. It's not the Ritz-Carlton, but it's got something… more. It’s got personality. It's memorable. It made me feel like I was experiencing a little slice of history, but also being pampered. I'm already planning my return trip. So, yeah, go. Just… bring earplugs (just in case) and an appetite. And tell Auntie Meena (I mean, the hotel staff) I said hello!
Okay, you mentioned challenges. What didn't you like? Be honest.
Alright, pulling back the curtain a bit. The Wi-Fi, while decent, occasionally decided to take a nap. It wasn't a total catastrophe, but it did make checking emails a bit of a… adventure. The hotel also doesn't have a gym (for those who are into that sort of thing). And, okay, the echoing hallway thing, I'll re-mention that. It's just… a thing. But honestly? The pros far outweigh the cons. Seriously, those fluffy parathas… *chef's kiss*.
Let’s talk money… Is it worth the price?
Okay, let's be honest, it's not dirt cheap. But for what you get - the location, the service, the food, the experience - I'd say, absolutely YES. It's a splurge, but a worthwhile one, especially for a special occasion. And honestly? Compared to some of the other places available… you get a *lot* moreTravel Stay Guides
