Escape to Paradise: Shola Crown Resort Awaits in Munnar, India
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re diving HEADFIRST into the misty, emerald embrace of Escape to Paradise: Shola Crown Resort Awaits in Munnar, India. This isn't just a review, it's a therapy session – hotel edition. And let me tell you, after this trip, my stress levels needed serious therapy. Munnar? More like Mun-STAR, am I right? Okay, okay, let’s get to it.
First Impressions (and the Immediate Need for a Chai):
Getting there…well, accessibility is listed, right? Okay, let’s start there. The drive to Shola Crown? Holy hairpin turns! The roads around Munnar are…an experience. Let's just say you really need to trust your driver. I'd suggest arranging the Airport transfer beforehand – definitely worth it, especially after a long flight. The resort itself does have Facilities for disabled guests, which is fantastic, but be sure to inquire about specific room accessibility if that's a concern. They also have Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site], which is a huge plus. Finding parking is the bane of my existence, so that's already a good start.
Wandering Around (and the Wi-Fi Obsession):
The lobby? Grand. The views? Jaw-dropping. But, and it's a big BUT, I'm a Wi-Fi in all rooms! kind of gal. Seriously. Internet access – wireless is a lifeline. They also boast Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, thank the internet gods. I needed to post those Insta stories, people! And for the serious workaholics (ahem, me!), Internet access – LAN is available, too. Which, let's be honest, is probably for the best.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms (and My Love for Blackout Curtains):
Okay, the rooms. Picture this: Air conditioning, a Coffee/tea maker (essential!), and Complimentary tea. SOLD. The Bathrobes are plush, the Bathtub is huge, and the Blackout curtains are my best friend (hello, late mornings!). They also have Extra long bed, which is great for us tall folk. And if you need to be productive (bless your heart!), there's a Laptop workspace and Desk. Smoke detector and Safety/security feature? Always appreciated. And Soundproofing? Oh, yes, please. Because, let's face it, sometimes you just need to escape the world for a little while. Shower, Slippers, Toiletries, and Mirror are all there – all the things you need for total relaxation and forgetting about the real world.
Things To Do & Ways to Relax (aka, My Attempt at Enlightenment):
This is where Shola Crown shines. And my stress turned into a glorious, gooey, blissful feeling. The Spa! Oh, the spa. I went for the Body scrub and Massage. Seriously, the Massage was a religious experience. I actually teared up. Okay, maybe I was just sleep-deprived and stressed, but still! They have a Sauna, Steamroom, and a Foot bath. They even have a Couple's room! Now, if only I had brought a partner…
Then there is the Swimming pool [outdoor]. The Pool with view is epic. I spent a good chunk of my time just staring at the view from the pool. There's a Fitness center too, for the more energetic of us. I peeked in. It looked…well, like a gym. I may have chosen to skip the gym, favoring the views instead.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (because calories don't count on vacation, right?):
Food is an important factor! Restaurants galore! There’s an A la carte in restaurant and Buffet in restaurant. They have Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and Vegetarian restaurant. Western breakfast and Asian breakfast! I’m talking Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, and Salad in restaurant. And, of course, a Poolside bar. Okay, I'm getting hungry writing this. I enjoyed the Breakfast [buffet]. The Bottle of water in the room was a lifesaver. The Snack bar was perfect for, you know, those moments when you just need a little something to hold you over between meals. The staff are amazing and very friendly.
Cleanliness, Safety, and Peace of Mind (because we're living in those times):
Listen, I was slightly paranoid about safety, especially with, well, you know. Shola Crown took hygiene seriously. Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, and Staff trained in safety protocol all made me feel much better. They have Room sanitization opt-out available if you want, but honestly, I wasn't complaining about the cleanliness. They also have a Doctor/nurse on call, a First aid kit, and Safe dining setup. Nice touch.
Services and Conveniences (because life is easier when someone else does the work):
They really have thought of everything! Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry service, Room service [24-hour]. Luggage storage! I might have overpacked. I tend to do that. Facilities for disabled guests are available. Air conditioning in public area? Absolutely. If you need it, there is Cash withdrawal, and a Convenience store. Car power charging station is available. They also have a Gift/souvenir shop. You know, to remember those perfect moments.
For the Kids (because family vacations are a thing):
They have Babysitting service, and Family/child friendly. I didn’t see the Kids facilities but that means families are welcome.
Accessibility (the nitty-gritty):
As mentioned before, Facilities for disabled guests are there. That’s a start. But, and again, be sure to inquire about specifics when booking.
Getting Around (the logistics):
They offer Airport transfer and Taxi service as well. They offer Bicycle parking and Car park [free of charge].
The Minor Nitpicks (because no place is perfect):
Okay, I’m being picky here, but the Internet could be a little faster in some areas. Not a dealbreaker. And sometimes, getting the staff's attention can take a minute. But hey, you're in India. Patience is important, and mostly, everyone did an amazing job.
The Verdict (and Would I Go Back?):
Absolutely. Without a doubt. Shola Crown is a solid choice. The views alone are worth the trip. The spa is pure bliss. The rooms are comfortable and well-equipped. The staff is friendly and accommodating. And seriously, that Massage… I might go back just for the massage.
The Imperfect Offer (Because Perfection is Boring):
Escape to Paradise: Shola Crown Resort Awaits in Munnar! Your Sanctuary in the Hills is Calling!
Tired of the daily grind? Yearning for a getaway that will actually help you unwind? Escape to Paradise: Shola Crown Resort Awaits! Imagine waking up to breathtaking views of the misty mountains, breathing in the fresh, clean air of Munnar, and indulging in a level of relaxation you thought was only possible in your dreams.
Here’s What You Get:
- Breathtaking Views: Seriously, the view. Enough said.
- The Spa Experience of a Lifetime: Book the massage. Seriously. Just do it.
- Cozy Rooms with Every Comfort: From Free Wi-Fi (because social media awaits!) to super comfy beds, we've got you covered.
- Delicious Dining: Explore the local flavors with our Asian cuisine in restaurant or the comfort of international dishes.
Why Choose Shola Crown?
We aren't just a hotel; we're your escape from reality. We're for the stressed-out worker, the overbooked parent, the adventure seeker, and anyone who deserves a break! Come ready to be pampered, rejuvenated, and utterly, completely relaxed.
Special Offer:
Book your stay now and receive a complimentary welcome pack!
Don't miss out on this chance to experience true paradise. Book your escape today!
Dubai JVC Dream Apt: Pool, Gym, & Unbelievable Views!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! Because we're not just planning a trip to Shola Crown Resort in Munnar, India, we're staging a full-blown, highly caffeinated, slightly-too-honest-for-comfort emotional rollercoaster. Here's my (slightly-chaotic) itinerary, prepped with a healthy dose of overthinking and a generous sprinkle of "what-ifs."
Shola Crown Resort: Munnar - The Plan (or, My Attempt at Containing the Chaos)
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and the Unbearable Smell of Fresh Tea (My God, It's Heavenly)
- Morning (or, "When Does This Plane Land Again?"): The endless slog of travel. The flight. The passport control. The slightly-panicked realization I forgot to download any decent audiobooks (oops!). Finally, finally, landing in Kochi. The air, thick with humidity and the promise of something delicious.
- Afternoon (or, "Driving the Road Less (and Maybe Slightly Terrifyingly) Traveled"): The drive to Munnar. Miles and miles of… well, let's be real, it's a bit of a drive. But the scenery! Lush green hills peeking out from behind the car windows. The occasional cow casually strolling across the road. The driver's slightly precarious driving style (hold on tight, friend!). Arriving at Shola Crown!
- Late Afternoon (or, "Finally! That Bed! And… Oh, The View!"): Check-in, breathe in the fresh mountain air (aaahhh), and – the moment of truth – the room. Does it live up to the pictures? YES. My god, yes. That view of the tea plantations! I might actually cry. I did. I kind of did.
- Quick Room Audit: Is the wifi decent? (Crucial. Gotta document this all for posterity, obviously.) Are there enough power outlets for my phone, camera, and two portable chargers? (Also crucial.) Is there a balcony for dramatic contemplation of the universe? (Absolutely essential.)
- Evening (or, "Dinner, Disappointment, and Glorious Redemption."): Dinner at the resort. The menu looks AMAZING. I order something ambitious, possibly too ambitious. The dish arrives. It's…fine. Not amazing. Cue minor existential crisis. But then! Dessert arrives. A perfect, melt-in-your-mouth local delicacy that saves the day, and my sanity. (Thank you, dessert gods.) Bedtime. Deep breaths. Tomorrow is tea-tasting day. Holy moly.
Day 2: Tea, Tea, and More Tea (Plus a Minor Panic Attack About Spiders)
- Morning (or,"The Smell of Tea That's Going to Ruin Me Forever"): Wake up stupid early. The sun hasn't even hit the tea plantation but I am already here. I force myself to go for a trek. (A hike, really, let's not pretend I'm Bear Grylls.) The air is crisp, the views are stunning, and I spot a tiny, adorable (probably venomous) spider. Mild freakout. But the view! The air! Okay, I'm okay.
- Mid-Morning (or, "Tea-Tasting Time - Here's Hoping I Don't Spit All Over Everything"): The main event: Tea tasting! The guide is explaining the different grades, the terroir (fancy word, I know!), the whole shebang. I feel like a sophisticated tea expert, actually. I swirl, I sniff, I sip. Okay, maybe I'm not an expert. I accidentally slurp. I pretend it was intentional. The flavors! The delicate notes! The slightly overwhelming (and incredibly pleasant) caffeine buzz! I buy ALL the tea.
- Afternoon (or, "Plantation Tour and the Existential Dread of Infinite Green"): A tour of a tea plantation. Endless, undulating hills of vibrant green. It's beautiful. Almost hypnotically so. I find myself wandering, lost in thought, contemplating the vastness of it all and the meaning of life and whether I should have brought a bigger suitcase to carry all the tea…
- Anecdote: I get slightly separated from the group. Panic sets in. Is this how I meet my end? Lost in a tea plantation? But then, I see a tiny, elderly woman with a basket full of tea leaves. She smiles, offers me a cup of tea, and everything is right in the world again. (She probably just wanted me to leave her alone, but still!).
- Late Afternoon (or, "Spa Time, or My Attempt at Zen – We'll See How This Goes"): The resort spa! Time to unwind with an Ayurvedic massage, to release all the tension from the flight, the driving, the existential tea-related crises. I fall asleep. Wake up feeling like a new person. (Until I remember I have to pack tomorrow).
- Evening (or, "Dinner and Stargazing - Praying for Clear Skies"): Dinner, again, at the resort. This time, I stick to something simple. After dinner, we're supposed to go stargazing. The sky is supposed to be incredibly clear in Munnar. Fingers crossed the weather cooperates! If it doesn't, I'll just stare dramatically out the window.
Day 3: Farewell, Flowers, and Flight Frustration (The Triumphant Conclusion)
- Morning (or, "The Last Breakfast and the Sad Reality of Packing"): Final breakfast at the resort. A leisurely affair. A chance to soak up every last moment of this lush paradise. Packing. The worst part of any trip. Fitting all the tea I bought into my suitcase is a Tetris-level challenge. Tears are shed (mostly from missing the view).
- Mid-Morning (or, "The Flower Garden and Another Minor Panic Attack"): A visit to a flower garden. I love flowers. They make me happy. I get lost in all the vibrant colors for about 15-20 minutes. Almost feel better now,
- Afternoon (or, "The Drive Back and the Dreaded Kochi Traffic"): The drive back to Kochi. Goodbye, Munnar! The scenery, the tea, the peace. Goodbye, my brief escape from real life. The traffic in Kochi! Chaotic, stressful, and a stark reminder of the world I'm returning to.
- Late Afternoon/Evening (or, "Flight Delays and the Bitter Taste of Reality"): The flight. The inevitable flight delay. The cramped seats. The crying baby. The realization that all good things must come to an end. But hey, at least I have tea. And memories. And maybe a slight caffeine addiction.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm sad to leave. I'm already planning my return. This place – Shola Crown, Munnar, India – it's a little piece of heaven. And even the slightly-chaotic, sometimes-stressful, always-honest parts of the trip made it perfect.
Important Notes (Because I Can't Help Myself):
- Food: Be adventurous! Try all the local dishes! But maybe bring some antacids…just in case.
- Clothes: Pack light! You'll be doing a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes are essential. And maybe bring a rain jacket.
- Bugs: Bring bug spray. Seriously.
- Expectations: Lower them. Then you'll be pleasantly surprised. The imperfections and the moments of "whoa" will make the memories.
- Overall: Enjoy the moment. Don’t take it all to seriously. Breath, relax, relax, and have fun.
So there you have it! My messy, honest, and hopefully slightly entertaining travel itinerary for Shola Crown Resort. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go have another cup of tea. And maybe start planning my next trip…
Escape to Paradise: Cardum Hotel Sorocaba Awaits!
Okay, spill. Is Shola Crown Resort actually 'paradise'? My Instagram feed is lying, right?
Alright, let's be real. "Paradise?" That's Instagram-speak for "really, really pretty." Shola Crown? Stunning, absolutely. But paradise? Depends. If your paradise involves meticulously manicured lawns and robotic service, maybe not. If your paradise is a place where you can actually, truly, *breathe* and lose yourself in the smell of cardamom and damp earth, then... yeah, maybe.
Here's the thing: I went expecting perfection. My friend, Sarah, the one who photoshops all her pictures, had been raving. You know the type - "OMG, you HAVE to go!" So expectations were sky-high. And listen, the views? Jaw-dropping. The tea plantations stretched out like emerald waves. I swear I saw a Malabar giant squirrel leaping across a branch, and it felt magical. But the first morning, let's just say the hot water in our "luxury" suite was... a bit of a rumour. And the wifi? Basically a shy unicorn you had to coax out of the forest.
So, paradise? Kinda. Flawed, real, and breathtakingly beautiful. Definitely more of a "rustic chic" paradise than a "gleaming white columns and infinity pool" paradise.
Let's talk location. Is it remote? Do you need a Sherpa to get there?
Remote-ish. You're definitely away from the crazy city noise – that's a massive plus. The roads leading up there are… let's politely call them "adventurous." Think winding, and I mean *winding*, roads. Our driver – bless his soul, he looked like he’d seen a few things – kept muttering under his breath. My stomach did a fair amount of somersaults. Bring motion sickness tablets. Seriously.
No Sherpa required. You can get there by car. But pack some patience and maybe a small bottle of something soothing to sip. Just kidding... mostly. It's a journey, sure, but the payoff – those views I mentioned – is totally worth the tummy troubles. Plus, once you're *there*, the sheer peace? Absolute bliss. It's like the world just melts away.
The rooms. Are they actually nice? What if I want a spa treatment in a bathrobe that smells like a thousand roses?
The rooms are a mixed bag, to be frank. We booked a "luxury suite," and while it *was* spacious and had a balcony with killer views, the decor was a little…dated. Think dark wood and floral patterns. Picture your grandma's favourite armchair and you're getting close. It wasn't *bad*, just… not exactly Instagram-ready. (Although, to be completely honest, I did manage to get a few good shots of the sunrise from the balcony, and they definitely *looked* luxurious.)
As for the spa… (Sigh). Yes, there IS a spa. And the treatments are decent. Emphasis on *decent*. The masseuse was lovely, but the "thousand roses" bathrobe? More like a slightly-worn, average-smelling bathrobe. Don't expect a five-star spa experience. Think more "charming local spa trying its best," which, honestly, has its own appeal. It's about the relaxation, not the perfect fluffiness of the towels, right? Right?! (Okay, maybe I did miss the super-fluffy towels a little...)
And I'll tell you something else - the first day, the hot water in the shower was a sad dribble. Thankfully, it did get fixed after a few hours. But, you know, these little things happen. Embrace the imperfections, I say. It makes the experience more real, more *memorable*.
Food! Tell me about the food! Will I leave with a food baby of epic proportions?
The food… ah, the food! This is where Shola Crown really shines! Forget the fancy restaurant hype. The resort has a restaurant, and the buffet breakfasts are actually really good. They had fresh fruit (mangoes, *amazing* mangoes!), and a dosa station, and the coffee? Rich, strong, and delicious. I probably had way too many dosas.
But here's my personal recommendation (and the reason I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds while I was there): the staff were happy to organize picnics. We did two! They packed us a basket with sandwiches, local fruit, and the *best* spicy potato curry I've ever tasted. We ate it overlooking the tea plantations. Seriously, pure heaven. Just remember to bring insect repellent! (Learned that the hard way.)
So, food baby? Likely. But a happy one, fueled by incredible flavors and beautiful scenery. Worth it? Absolutely. Just pace yourself.
What is there to DO besides eat and stare at the view? Asking for a friend. (That friend is me.)
Okay, so "doing" things. It's not the kind of place for non-stop action. But, they do offer a couple of options. There are treks. I attempted one. I say "attempted" because I'm not exactly a seasoned hiker. The trek itself was amazing – the air was crisp, the smells were intoxicating, the views were… well, you get the idea. But my calves were killing me by the end. Wear proper shoes, kids! (And maybe train beforehand... unlike me.)
You can also visit the nearby tea factory. Interesting, but be prepared for a slightly corporate experience. We skipped it. The staff can also arrange for activities like bird watching, but honestly, the best thing to do is just… relax. Read a book on your balcony. Stare at the clouds. Watch the sunlight dance on the tea leaves. Embrace the stillness. You'll probably need it after the car ride!
Okay fine, let's say I'm convinced-ish. What's the biggest, honest-to-goodness downside? Give it to me straight.
Alright, truth time. The biggest, most glaring downside? The service, *sometimes.* Don't get me wrong, the staff mostly try their best and are incredibly friendly. But things can be *slow*. Very, very slow. Like, you might order a coffee, and it might arrive… eventually. It's India, and things move at a different pace, so you need to adjust your expectations.
The second downside could be the overall infrastructure. Some things need some work like the wifi, the state of the rooms, though they are still lovely to look at. In short, there are some genuine opportunities to make the experience even more polished.
But don't let this put you off. My advice? Bring a book (a real book!), enjoy the views and have patience because if you truly want some escapism, this is one place to go.
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