Escape to Paradise: Sikkim's Hidden Gem, The Parasol INN!
Escape to Paradise: Sikkim's Hidden Gem, The Parasol INN! - A Review That's Honestly Chaotic (But Honest!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this review isn't going to be some sterile, robot-written drone. This is me, after a truly wild stay at The Parasol INN in Sikkim, and I'm here to spill the tea (and maybe some momos). This place… wow. Just wow.
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First off, the location. Good lord, the location. I mean, "Escape to Paradise" isn't just a catchy tagline; it's the damn truth. It’s not just idyllic; it’s the kind of place that makes you want to sell your soul for a permanent residence (and a good Wi-Fi connection, which we'll get to). But getting to paradise? Well, that’s a whole other adventure, so let’s get this out of the way…
Accessibility:
Right, so, here’s the thing. Regarding wheelchair accessibility, my understanding is that it's present, but might need some clarification during booking. If I understand it correctly they do have facilities for disabled guests, and an elevator. I didn't personally check for accessibility that specific way, but the staff was so accommodating in every other respect, I reckon they'd go the extra mile. Just confirm. If you have specific needs DO reach out and check beforehand.
On-Site Accessible Restaurants/Lounges: Undetermined for my trip, so check with them.
(Rant Warning!) Accessibility is important, folks! It's 2024, let's get better at this, travel industry, and make sure everyone can enjoy these stunning places, regardless of mobility. Okay, rant over. Back to zen mode…
Internet Access & Wi-Fi: The Saga.
Okay, let’s talk Wi-Fi. Because face it, in this day and age, connectivity is essential. "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" the website boasted. And it was in all rooms… sometimes. Let's be honest, it was a bit of a rollercoaster. One minute I'm uploading breathtaking sunrise photos to Insta, the next I'm staring at the dreaded "no internet" symbol. The staff were fantastic about trying to troubleshoot (bless their hearts!), but let's just say I got very familiar with my phone's hotspot feature. And my phone. Which I used extensively. My impression is getting better internet is top priority, so keep checking! The Wi-Fi in public areas seemed more stable and in the end I was able to work every day.
- Internet [LAN]: Present (but I didn't use it.)
- Internet services: Provided, but the strength is still a work in progress.
- Wi-Fi in public areas: More reliable, like I mentioned.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and Spa Shenanigans:
This is where The Parasol INN truly shined. This place is a spa-lover's dream, folks. Forget "pampering," this is full-on "release-your-inner-peace-and-let-the-aches-of-the-world-melt-away" territory.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: ALL PRESENT, ALL GLORIOUS.
- Pool with view: Yes, the pool does have a view. A stunning view. Picture yourself, floating in crystal-clear water, the Himalayas looming in the distance, and a cocktail in hand… pure bliss.
- Massage: The massage? Oh, the massage. One of the best I've ever had. I’m not kidding, the masseuse seemed to have magical fingers. I walked in feeling like I was held together with tension and baling wire, and walked out feeling like a limp noodle… in the best way possible. My muscles were SO grateful.
- Sauna/Steamroom: Amazing after a long day of exploring.
- The overall vibe: The whole spa area is just… peaceful. It's designed to make you forget all your worries. And it works.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Breath of Fresh Air (Literally!)
Okay, this is important, especially post-pandemic. The Parasol INN takes cleanliness seriously. I felt genuinely safe and taken care of.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check.
- Hand sanitizer: More than enough available everywhere.
- Hygiene certification: Likely, although I didn't see the physical certificate.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Easily achievable, given the space.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Seemed like it.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Unsure if it was available, but they were on top of cleanliness.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Definitely.
- Safe dining setup: Yep.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Absolutely.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Definitely evident.
- CCTV in common areas/outside property: Yep.
- Fire extinguisher/Smoke alarms: Present.
- Front desk [24-hour]/Security [24-hour]: Yes, and very helpful.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
The food at The Parasol INN? Delicious. I mean, really delicious. They’ve got something for everyone:
- Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Excellent! I'm a HUGE fan of momos, so the traditional Sikkim breakfast was a glorious start to many days.
- A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant: Options galore. I'm a buffet person, and this one was extensive, fresh, and super-tasty..
- Bar, Poolside bar: Cocktail, anyone? Yes, please! The poolside bar is the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring, with a wide selection of drinks and snacks.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop: Essential. The coffee was great, and the tea selection was even better.
- Desserts in restaurant: OMG. The desserts! My waistline is still recovering.
- Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Snack bar: all present and fantastic!
- Vegetarian restaurant: Options available!
- Alternative meal arrangement, Bottle of water, Food delivery, Salad, Soup: all available.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easy
The staff at The Parasol INN are amazing. Truly. They go above and beyond to make your stay comfortable.
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities: present
- Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace: all here and useful
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: all here and useful
For the Kids:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: Check, check, check, and check! This place seems great for families!
In the Rooms: The Nitty Gritty
The rooms at The Parasol INN are comfortable and thoughtfully equipped.
- **Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN/wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating
Parasol Inn & Sikkim: A Messy, Beautiful, and Possibly Altitude-Sick Diary
Okay, so here's the thing. I'm finally in Sikkim. The Himalayas. The freaking Himalayas! After months of dreaming and endless scrolling through travel blogs, I'm here, booked into The Parasol Inn, Gangtok. Let's see if this reality lives up to the Instagram hype, shall we? Buckle up, buttercups, because this itinerary ain't gonna be pretty. It's probably going to be more like a crumpled map left out in the rain.
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Anxiety (and Delicious Momos!)
- Morning (or, What Felt Like Morning After a 2 AM Flight): Landed in Bagdogra. The airport? Tiny. The humidity? Monstrous. The drive up to Gangtok? Holy moly, curves. I swear, my stomach is still orbiting the Earth somewhere. I even asked our driver, a sweet man named Karma, if we were going to die. He just chuckled and offered me a butter tea. Bless him.
- Afternoon: Check-in at The Parasol Inn. OMG, the view! The brochure photos (thankfully) didn't lie. Snow-capped mountains everywhere! I swear, I almost cried. (Probably the altitude, honestly.) The room is… basic. But clean. The bed looks comfy. I'm going to nap. Briefly.
- Evening: This is where things get interesting. First, the altitude. I’m pretty sure I’m slightly delirious. Every step feels like climbing Everest. Second, MOMOS. Okay, so, I found this tiny little place down the road from the Inn. "Taste of Tibet," it was called. Best. Momos. EVER. Steaming hot, juicy, and the dipping sauce… oh, the dipping sauce! I think I ate two plates. I'm also pretty sure I'm going to pay for it later with a serious case of indigestion, and a feeling that I went a little overboard.
- Quirk Observation: The dogs here. They're everywhere. Just wandering around, looking majestic, and completely unfazed by the chaos of the town. I have a newfound respect for canine existentialism.
- Emotional Reaction: Euphoria, followed by mild panic, and then the pure, unadulterated joy of delicious food. Pretty much sums up my whole life, honestly.
- Post-Script: Woke up at 3 AM, convinced a yeti was trying to break into my room. Blame the altitude and the butter tea.
Day 2: Rumtek Monastery & A Lesson in Breathing (and Staying Upright)
- Morning: Today's mission: Rumtek Monastery. We hired a taxi (another curve-filled drive, send help!), and off we went. The monastery is breathtaking. The gold, the colours, the chanting… it's overwhelming in the best possible way. I spent a good chunk of time just staring, trying to absorb the atmosphere.
- Afternoon: Trying to learn the art of mindful breathing. The monk I spoke to was… well, slightly patronizing. "You are breathing too quickly, young lady," he said. "You must become one with the air." I'm pretty sure I'm still mainly one with the air pockets in my stomach from all the momos. The prayer flags fluttering in the wind were a sight to behold, though. Absolutely stunning.
- Messy Structure: Okay, so, this is where I kind of lost it. We were walking back down from the monastery, and I tripped. Right in front of a group of nuns. Like, face-planted. Mortifying. Luckily, they were incredibly kind and helped me up. I'm pretty sure I can still feel the shame.
- Anecdote: I spent nearly an entire hour trying to buy a prayer wheel. Turns out, bargaining is expected. I kept dramatically lowering the price ("My budget! My finances!") until I got one for what I deemed a reasonable sum. I then immediately walked five feet and dropped it. Facepalm.
- Evening: Back in Gangtok, nursing a bruised ego and a slightly sprained ankle (thanks, altitude!). Dinner at a place called "The Coffee Shop." Surprisingly good coffee and, thank god, Wi-Fi. I need to call my mom and tell her I'm still alive.
- Opinionated Language: The sheer beauty of the place is making me feel a bit… cynical. Everything is just so scenic. It just feels forced. That sounds terrible, but the pictures can't show the absolute beauty that's here.
- Post-script: I now have a strange obsession with the yak butter tea, and the locals are starting to chuckle whenever I pass.
Day 3: Tsomgo Lake & The Yak Rides of Shame (and Spectacular Views!)
- Morning: Today's the big one: Tsomgo Lake (aka, Changu Lake). We booked a tour and loaded into a jeep. The drive up was… intense. Think winding roads, snow-covered mountains, and the ever-present fear of falling off a cliff. But, when we arrived… WOW. The lake is stunning, turquoise, and surrounded by snow-capped peaks. It’s the stuff of postcards.
- Afternoon: The yak ride. Oh, the yak ride. I thought it would be a cute, quirky photo opportunity. It was not. It was terrifying. Basically, you sit on a hairy beast and pray you don't slide off. I, inevitably, almost slid off. Multiple times. It was more of a yak-adjacent experience. I felt very, very exposed.
- Focusing on Single Experience: Okay, let's talk about the yak ride. I was told to "hold on tight." I did. But not tight enough. The yak was clearly unimpressed with my presence. It began to trot, and I started to wobble. The yak was a beautiful creature, but not meant for a human such as myself. I was slipping, and the yak was moving, and I looked like an idiot. The yak kept moving, and finally I was back on solid ground.
- Quirky Observation: The vendors trying to sell you souvenirs at Tsomgo are relentless. I swear, I was offered a yak-wool hat, a prayer flag, and a photo with a grumpy-looking Snow Leopard (taxidermied, sadly) in the space of five minutes.
- Emotional Reaction: Overwhelmed by the scenery, terrified by the yak, and slightly relieved to be alive. I'm also starting to feel like I've been away forever.
- Evening: Back at the Inn, huddled under a blanket, nursing aching muscles and a bruised tailbone (thanks, yak!). Still processing the views. Feeling a deep sense of gratitude for being able to experience this.
- Messy Structure (Again): Okay, I accidentally ordered the wrong type of noodles for dinner. They tasted like cardboard. I'm clearly losing my mind.
- Post-Script: I think I saw a yeti. Or maybe it was just the altitude again.
Day 4: Exploration & Departure (and Maybe a Little Bit of Nostalgia?)
- Morning: Wandered the streets of Gangtok, soaking in the atmosphere. Visited the Enchey Monastery (more beautiful temples!), and the flower exhibition. The local market is a sensory overload: spices, textiles, and more prayer wheels than you can shake a stick at.
- Afternoon: Found a small café with amazing coffee (finally!). Sitting here writing this, feeling a strange mix of contentment and sadness. Contentment at having experienced this incredible place, and sadness at the thought of leaving.
- Rambling: I'm starting to think this trip has changed me. I'm usually a city person, but there's something about the mountains… the vastness… the unadulterated beauty… It's humbling. It's grounding. It's also made me painfully aware of how ridiculously out of shape I am.
- Opinionated Language: Sikkim is a hidden gem, and everyone should visit. Period. But be prepared for altitude sickness, questionable Wi-Fi, and at least one near-death experience. But absolutely worth it.
- Evening: Packing. Saying goodbye to the view from my window. Trying to mentally prepare myself for the long journey back to… the real world. Feeling a little apprehensive about the city life, and I want to eat more momos.
- Post-Script: Already planning my return. Maybe next time I'll learn to breath correctly, and not to fall off a yak. Until then, Sikkim, you will have a special place in my memory. And my heart. And possibly my stomach.
So there you have it. My rambling, messy, and utterly imperfect account of my Sikkim adventure. The Parasol Inn was a fantastic base, the food was delicious (most of the time), and the Himalayas… well, they stole a piece of my soul. Now to go home and start planning my next trip.
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