Unbelievable Dooars Escape: Dooarshini Resorts Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the jungle – the jungle of Unbelievable Dooars Escape: Dooarshini Resorts Awaits! I just spent a chunk of my precious life (and a chunk of my credit card, let's be honest) at this place, and I've got opinions. Buckle up even tighter, because this review is gonna be like a runaway elephant – somewhat unpredictable but hopefully, ultimately, delightful.
First Impressions (and the Accessibility Question – Let's Get it Out of the Way!)
Right off the bat, let's talk accessibility. My experience here was… well, I didn't need full-on wheelchair access, but I did spend a lot of time thinking about how my elderly Aunt Mildred would fare. Dooarshini is trying. They've got an elevator, which is a HUGE plus in this part of the world. They also marked facilities for disabled guests. But, the terrain around the resort is… enthusiastic. Think "gentle slopes" mixed with "nature's playground". So, while they are listing on-site facilities that are accessible, it could be a bit of a scramble for someone with serious mobility issues. (Accessibility: Good start, more work needed. Do call ahead and confirm your specific needs!)
Tech Talk & Internet (Because Let's Be Real, We're All Addicted)
Okay, internet! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! And, uh… yeah. It is there. And you can connect. Sometimes. Let's just say that internet speed is not the resort's superpower. It's… adequate, for checking emails and the occasional social media scroll. Forget about streaming anything epic. I mean, this is the Dooars, baby! Embrace the slow life. Forget about that important business meeting, just relax, it's what Dooarshini wants, so, you should as well. (Internet: Wi-Fi = present, speed = Dooars pace. Be prepared to disconnect!)
The Sanctuary of Relaxation (Or, My Attempt to Become a Zen Master)
Here is the place where I’ve been hoping would be a nice place for me, so I wanted to see if it was everything I was dreaming of. This is where that expectation became reality or in some cases, a harsh reality.
Gym/Fitness, Pool with View, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool [outdoor]: Okay, let's start with the good stuff. The pool. OH, the pool. It's this glorious, shimmering, rectangular oasis, surrounded by lush greenery. The view? Stunning. Seriously, I could have stared at it all day. Unfortunately, I had to swim in it. The gym… well, it exists. It has equipment. I didn’t use it because, vacation. The spa services are available, but I didn't splurge on a massage. I was too busy soaking in the sun and pretending I was a glamorous sloth. (Relaxation: Pool = YES. The rest? Depends on your definition of "relaxing".)
Things to do, ways to relax, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Massage, Sauna: All of these things were available! And tempting. But let’s be honest, I was really just there to, well, do nothing. And it was glorious. The thought of a body scrub did enter my mind, briefly, but then I saw the pool and, well… priorities. (Relaxation: You can be pampered. Or you can be lazy. The choice is yours!)
Food, Glorious Food (And My Impressive Appetite)
This is where Dooarshini truly shines. The dining experience is amazing.
- Dining, drinking, and snacking, A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Let's start with the breakfast buffet. Oh. My. God. Imagine every delicious Indian breakfast dish you can think of (think fluffy parathas, spicy aloo sabzi, fluffy dosas) alongside the western classics. And the coffee! Strong, hot, and plentiful. I'm not always a buffet person, but this one converted me. Lunch and dinner at the restaurants offer a fantastic spread of local dishes. I ate everything. Okay, maybe not everything, but I tried. Everything. The desserts are particularly dangerous. And the poolside bar? Perfect for an afternoon cocktail. (Food: Unbelievably good. Come hungry!)
Safety & Cleanliness (Because, You Know, The World is What it is Right Now)
- Cleanliness and safety, Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: They're taking COVID seriously. The staff is exceptionally well-trained in safety protocols, and they provide hand sanitizers everywhere. The rooms are sanitized between stays. The dining setup is well designed to allow for distancing. I felt pretty safe, honestly. Also, there is a doctor/nurse on call. (Cleanliness and Safety: Top-notch. They’re doing their best!)
The Room (My Temporary Palace)
- Available in all rooms, Additional toilet, 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, Internet access – 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 area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: My room was… lovely. Big, comfortable bed, a clean bathroom (with a bathtub!), and air conditioning that actually worked. The blackout curtains proved essential for sleep. The in room Wi-fi worked. The mini bar was there but mostly just tempted me with overpriced snacks. (Room: Comfortable, well-equipped. A nice haven after a day of… doing nothing).
Services & Conveniences (The Things You Need but Don't Always Think About)
- Services and conveniences, Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, 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, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: They're packed with everything you might need. Cash withdrawal ATM is a blessing when you can't find one. There’s a gift shop for that last-minute souvenir you forgot to buy. The staff is friendly and helpful. (Services: They haven’t missed anything. You're pretty well covered!)
For the Kids (Because Family Vacations!)
- For the kids, Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: The kids seemed to like it, though I didn't see a lot of super-specific kid-centric activities. It's definitely family-friendly, and they have a babysitting service available. (Kids: Fine. Probably best for families with older kids who can appreciate the jungle vibe.)
Security (Don't Get Mugged by a Monkey!)
- Access, CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailablePets allowed, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: 24-hour security is present, CCTV everywhere. I felt safe. (Security: Solid.)
Getting Around (The Freedom of Movement)
- **Getting around, Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to embark on a Dooars adventure. And let me tell you, it's gonna be less "Instagram-perfect" and more "spilling chai on my new hiking boots at 6 AM" real. This is my attempt at a travel itinerary for Dooarshini Resorts, or at least, a suggestion of one. Consider it more of a loose suggestion, a guideline… a chaotic roadmap to potential fun. Expect tangents. Expect me to get lost. Expect… well, expect me.
Dooarsini Resorts: The Unofficial Itinerary (aka, My Brain Dump)
Day 1: Arrival & Overwhelmed by Green (and Maybe a Bit of Mosquitoes. Ugh.)
- Morning (Late morning, let's be real): Arrive at Bagdogra Airport (IXB). Pray the flight isn't delayed because I know my stomach is rumbling from the pre-flight nerves. Arrange transport to Dooarshini Resorts. (They probably have a shuttle, but finding it could be an adventure of its own – gotta love my map-reading skills… or lack thereof.)
- Lunch (Whenever I can find food, seriously): Settle into the resort. Gawk at the scenery. Seriously, the Dooars are supposed to be breathtaking. Lush green forests, tea gardens swaying in the breeze… I'm already picturing some serious Instagram potential. (Just kidding… mostly. Okay, fine, I’ll try to get a decent photo or two).
- Afternoon: The "Orientation Walk" That Went Sideways I thought it would be a stroll; a little recon. The resort guys insisted, and I should've known better. Ended up wandering off the marked path in search of the “perfect” view (obsessed, much? Yes). My sandals didn’t help, also ended in a very ungraceful slip and a little bit of mud on my face. But hey, at least the mud probably has some skin-moisturizing properties, right? Right?
- Evening: Dinner & "Trying" to Relax: Dinner at the resort restaurant. Hopefully, they have some local dishes. Give me all the momos and thukpa, please and thank you. I'm probably going to be simultaneously exhausted and wired from the travel and the new environment. Staring at the stars and trying to not get annoyed by the mosquitos. (Bring bug spray! Learn from my mistakes!)
Day 2: Into the Wild (and Praying I Don't Encounter a Tiger. Or a Snake.)
- Morning: Early morning jungle safari in Jaldapara National Park. Okay, this is the real reason I came. I want to see rhinos! And elephants! And, like, maybe, just maybe, a glimpse of something majestic and untamed. Pray for good luck.
- Mid Day: Back to the resort for lunch, probably feeling a mix of awe and hunger.
- Afternoon: Tea Time Tantrums! Because I’m me. Tea garden tour! The experience should be fun. I love tea! the tour guide…he got me down by his facts…somehow I couldn't connect with the experience. Even a bad experience is still an experience so I’m making the most of it!
- Evening: Another dinner, this time with the added bonus of possible jungle noises. I'm half expecting a bear to stroll right up to my window, but mostly I'm just hoping the food is as good as it smells. Sleep? Maybe. Probably just going to replay the day in my head, wide awake with excitement
Day 3: The River Runs Through It (And Hopefully Not Over Me)
- Morning: Visit the Murti River. Supposed to be beautiful. Maybe some light trekking. Maybe some "ooh, I feel the nature" moments. Maybe a good opportunity to get some more pictures, or maybe not.
- Mid-Day: Lunch, followed by me desperately trying to find some wi-fi so I can upload all the photos I took in the Jungle.
- Afternoon: Exploring some nearby villages! Talking to the locals. Maybe buying some souvenirs (because, come on, I need something to show I actually went somewhere!). I'm envisioning myself bargaining for textiles and feeling all worldly and adventurous.
- Evening: Farewell dinner at the resort. Reflecting on the trip, probably saying goodbye to the staff, and wondering if I’ll get back home anytime soon.
Day 4: Departure & The Post-Dooars Blues
- Morning: Last chance for a leisurely breakfast!
- Mid-day: Transfer to Bagdogra Airport for departure.
- Afternoon: Start adjusting back to civilization, try to keep the Dooars alive in my memory, and start planning the next big adventure.
The "Messy Bits" – The Imperfections I'm Embracing:
- The Unexpected: Things will go wrong, I will get lost, and I will have to improvise. This is guaranteed! I’m hoping those mess-ups will turn into the best stories.
- The Food Fiascos: I’m pretty sure I’m going to mess up an order or two. It’s gonna be a “lost in translation” moment, and that’s perfectly fine!
- The Emotional Rollercoaster: I'm a walking, talking, highly emotional human. Expect to see everything from pure joy to abject terror (mainly in the jungle). There will probably be tears (of both laughter and… I don’t know what).
- The Unspoken Expectations: I might, or might not, do Yoga in the morning. Or, read a book. Or watch the sunset. I am on holidays, afterall!
So, there you have it. My Dooars journey, bottled up and ready to go. Wish me luck! And, most importantly, wish me a good supply of bug spray.
Escape to Bansko's BEST Family Apartment: B206 Awaits!
Unbelievable Dooars Escape: Dooarshini Resorts Awaits! - Let’s Get Real (and Maybe Slightly Crazy)
Okay, so, Dooars... what *actually* is it? And is Dooarshini Resorts even *in* Dooars? (Because frankly, I'm easily confused.)
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because geographical clarity isn’t always a Dooars strong suit. Dooars is basically, and I’m going to be brutally honest here, a region in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern West Bengal, India. Think lush greenery, tea gardens that stretch on *forever*, and a whole lot of… well, *nature*. And yes, *yes*, Dooarshini Resorts is *absolutely* in Dooars. I checked three times. Probably should have asked someone who spoke fluent Bengali to *really* confirm, but hey, adventure, right? The drive *in* itself is half the fun (or half the stress, depending on your tolerance for bumpy roads). I remember the first time, I kept asking the driver, "Are we there yet? Seriously, are we *actually* there yet?" He just chuckled. He spoke, like, two words of English, and neither apparently was "Almost."
What’s the *vibe* at Dooarshini? Like, is it a five-star luxury spa, or are we roughing it with the monkeys? (Please, not the monkeys. They steal your snacks.)
Okay, so the 'vibe'… it's *relaxed*. Think “comfortable eco-resort that’s trying really hard to be swanky but still feels charmingly… *Indian*.” Let's just say the Wi-Fi is… *optimistic*. I rate the internet connectivity as 'somewhat functional' (when it works, it's great). No, it's not a Ritz-Carlton. But the rooms are clean, the staff is super friendly (even if there’s a language barrier – bring your phone translator!), and the food… *oh, the food*. More on that later. The monkeys, though... yeah, they’re still around. I learned the hard way to *never* leave your balcony door open. My first attempt ended with a monkey stealing my entire mango and giving me the stink eye. I swear, that little dude was judging my fruit selection.
Let's talk food. Is it, you know, edible? And do they cater to the perpetually picky eater (me)?
Okay, food. This is where Dooarshini *really* shines. Forget your bland hotel buffets. The food is AMAZING. Think fresh, flavorful, and mostly-local. I'm talking curries that'll make you weep with joy (seriously, I may have shed a tear over the butter chicken), fluffy rice, and *loads* of vegetarian options. They'll cater to dietary restrictions, but you might need to be *very* clear. I asked for "no spice" once and got something that could raise the dead. My mouth was on fire. I spent the next hour frantically downing water and trying not to cry in front of the whole dining room. So, yeah, communicate *clearly*. But even with my minor spice incident, the food is a total win. Don't skip the breakfast parathas. Seriously. Don't.
Activities! What’s there to *do*? Besides, you know, eating and avoiding monkeys.
Alright, activities! This is where Dooars really delivers. You can go on jungle safaris (we saw elephants! And a tiger... which scared the bejesus out of me, but in a good way, eventually), visit tea gardens (picture-postcard perfect), go bird watching (I'm not a bird person, but even *I* was impressed), and just generally soak up the scenery. There are also local villages you can explore (remember to be respectful - they are lovely people). One day we went river rafting, and the current was *insane*. I almost fell out, but the sheer terror was quickly replaced by an overwhelming adrenaline rush! The staff can arrange tours and everything. Don't be afraid to ask! Don't skip the jungle trek. The guides are amazing, and you'll see things you won't see anywhere else. Just wear insect repellent. Seriously. Trust me on that one. (I learned that the hard way, covered in bites.)
The rooms – are they mosquito-proof? (Because those little vampires love me.)
Mosquitoes. The eternal enemy. The rooms are generally pretty well-maintained. They *try* to be mosquito-proof... but this is the jungle, remember? They provide mosquito nets, which are your best friends. Use them. Really, *use* them. I got a few bites, but nothing compared to what could have been if I hadn't been proactive. And bring bug spray! Dousing yourself in it before venturing out is a good idea. Keep the windows closed at night. And be prepared to swat. It's part of the Dooars experience.
What's the best time of year to visit Dooars? I hate rain. And heat. And crowds. Basically, I'm difficult.
Okay, you're asking for paradise, and I get it! The sweet spot is usually October to March. The weather is generally pleasant, the rain is (mostly) gone, and the crowds are smaller than peak season. Monsoon season (June-September) means seriously heavy rain, and you might get stuck. The summer (April-May) can be hot and humid. Honestly, though, even the "bad" times have their charm. The misty mornings after the rain are *magical*. My advice? Avoid peak season if you can (December-January). But honestly, I'd take Dooars in pouring rain over being stuck in a city any day. Just pack a good umbrella and a good book.
Is it a good place for families? Kids? I've got a couple of rugrats who are basically miniature tornadoes.
Families? Yeah, it *can* be great. The kids would probably love the safaris, the wide-open spaces, and the general sense of adventure. But… be prepared. If your "miniature tornadoes" are the type who melt down without Wi-Fi or a constant supply of snacks, it might be a challenge. The resort is generally kid-friendly, but there aren't a ton of specifically kid-focused activities. It's more about getting back to nature. (And yes, I spent a good portion of my trip trying to keep my niece and nephew from running off and getting eaten by a tiger. It's worth it.). Also the swimming pool there is really good to keep them engaged!
How do I get there? And is the journey as epic as it sounds? (I'm envisioning a Bollywood movie scene.)
