**Hotel Sagar Bikaner: Your Royal Rajasthan Escape Awaits!**
Hotel Sagar Bikaner: My Royal Rajasthan Reality Check (and It Wasn't All Smooth Sailing!)
Okay, so, Hotel Sagar Bikaner, huh? "Your Royal Rajasthan Escape Awaits!" reads the tagline. Sounds promising, doesn't it? Like, visions of turban-wearing waiters, endless sunshine, and maybe a rogue camel wandering through the lobby. I'm here to tell you, it's… well, it's something. And that "something" is what I'm about to unpack, warts and all. Buckle up, buttercups. This is going to be honest.
First Impressions (and the Accessibility Angle)
Right, getting there. Accessibility is a big deal for me. I'm not entirely reliant on a wheelchair, but mobility issues are a thing. And here’s where the royal treatment wobbled a bit.
Accessibility: The entrance itself looked okay, but navigating to the rooms… well, it wasn't the smoothest. There are Elevators, thankfully! Which is HUGE. Not all Indian hotels are so blessed. But the hallways felt a little cramped, and some of the pathways leading to the pool? Well, let's just say, they needed some serious attention for smoother Wheelchair accessible navigation. I definitely felt the need to take it slow going through.
Hotel Sagar Bikaner's strong points for Accessibility:
- Elevator is available
- The hotel provides Facilities for disabled guests
So, the Verdict on Accessibility: It’s trying. I mean, they’ve got the essentials, and that puts them ahead of some. But they need to level up their game a little.
The Sanctum Sanctorum: The Room
Ah, the rooms! The place where you spend a decent chunk of your time, right?
Available in all rooms
- Additional toilet - This one is a good one to have.
- Air conditioning - Necessary for survival in the heat.
- Alarm clock - Okay, cool
- Bathrobes - Yay!
- Bathroom phone - Huh? Why?
- Bathtub - Luxury at its best
- Blackout curtains - Sleeping in is fun!
- Carpeting - I do not really like carpeting, but okay!
- Closet - You will need it!
- Coffee/tea maker - Nice one!
- Complimentary tea - Good addition for a tea person
- Daily housekeeping - Makes your life easier
- Desk - Important one
- Extra long bed - You will need it for your high dreams, I swear!
- Free bottled water - Essential for hydration
- Hair dryer - I need it always!
- High floor - I love the view
- In-room safe box - Security is the most important thing
- Interconnecting room(s) available - Great!
- Internet access – LAN - This is not the most important anymore
- Internet access – wireless - Essential
- Ironing facilities - Always a plus
- Laptop workspace - Important especially if you are working.
- Linens - High quality linens
- Mini bar - Expensive snacks!
- Mirror - To check yourself
- Non-smoking - Always!
- On-demand movies - That's nice.
- Private bathroom - Must be!
- Reading light - Very useful!
- Refrigerator - Great to have one!
- Safety/security feature - Security at its best!
- Satellite/cable channels - I like variety!
- Scale - You do not want to know
- Seating area - Good for a drink
- Separate shower/bathtub - Luxury at its best
- Shower - Essential
- Slippers - Great for hygiene
- Smoke detector - Thank god!
- Socket near the bed - Must have
- Sofa - Comfortable
- Soundproofing - Important for relaxing.
- Telephone - Essential
- Toiletries - Must have
- Towels - Always!
- Umbrella - Essential!
- Visual alarm - Important for security
- Wake-up service - I do not need it!
- Wi-Fi [free] - Must be!
- Window that opens - Breezy!
My room was… comfortable. Clean. The Air conditioning was a lifesaver. Which is HUGE in Bikaner. I’m talking seriously HOT. I'd need to cool off after a walk, or else I'd turn into a puddle of sweat. The bed was… well, it was a bed. Not the most luxurious, but you could sleep. The Blackout curtains were a godsend for sleeping in after a late night of exploring the city. I can’t stress that enough.
Wi-Fi in all rooms! and it's free. Thank goodness. The signal wasn't always blazing fast, but hey, it was there, and that's what mattered. The Free bottled water was definitely appreciated.
The Room's Quirks (and My Emotional Reactions!)
There were some quirks. The décor? Let's just call it "eclectic." Think… Rajasthani meets… well, something else. Not my fav design style, but it was clean, and the Daily housekeeping was on point. The toiletries… well, let's just say I brought my own. But overall, the room was a safe haven, a place to recharge, and escape the Bikaner heat. A little rough around the edges, but it did the job.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure
Ah, food. The universal language! So, the Hotel Sagar Bikaner boasts a number of dining options.
Dining, drinking, and snacking
- A la carte in restaurant - You get variety!
- Alternative meal arrangement - Good!
- Asian breakfast - Interesting addition
- Asian cuisine in restaurant - I like it
- Bar - Nice to have
- Bottle of water - Necessary
- Breakfast [buffet] - I like this one
- Breakfast service - Essential!
- Buffet in restaurant - I like this one too!
- Coffee/tea in restaurant - Need it!
- Coffee shop - Interesting
- Desserts in restaurant - Let me check!
- Happy hour - My favorite
- International cuisine in restaurant - Good!
- Poolside bar - Cool!
- Restaurants - Essential
- Room service [24-hour] - Always welcome
- Salad in restaurant - I like this one
- Snack bar - Necessary
- Soup in restaurant - Good one
- Vegetarian restaurant - Always good to have the choice
- Western breakfast - Interesting one, to be honest
- Western cuisine in restaurant - I like it too!
Breakfast… The Buffet Boogie (and My Inner Child's Meltdown)
The Breakfast Buffet… okay, let's just say it was an adventure. There was a pretty decent spread, and it was Buffet in restaurant. I Breakfast [buffet] is always a good choice! The Asian dishes were interesting. I Asian breakfast. The Coffee was decent, I guess (I am kind of a coffee snob).
But here’s the thing (and this is where my inner child threw a tantrum): the presentation. Look, I know I'm not in a Michelin-starred restaurant. But some of the food just… looked a little sad. Like it was begging to be rescued. Some of the fruit looked like it had seen better days. It's the little things, you know? It’s the difference between feeling pampered and feeling… well, like you're eating at a slightly elevated roadside diner.
My most favorite one: the food was arranged neatly, and sometimes, it also had a funny shape - a star, or maybe just a face
The Restaurant Scene:
I did try the Restaurants, and it was a bit of the same story.
Luxury Awaits: Uncover the Hidden Gem of Lucknow's Hotel Silver Grand!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, 'cause we're about to dive HEADFIRST into my Bikaner bonanza, nestled inside the magnificent, possibly slightly dusty, Hotel Sagar. This isn't some pristine travel brochure fantasy, this is ME, battling (and occasionally befriending) the chaos of the road.
Day 1: Arrival & Desert Dreams (Maybe?)
- 10:00 AM - Touchdown in Bikaner Airport (if it even exists!): Pray to the travel gods I actually GET to Bikaner. Last time I flew somewhere "remote," my luggage ended up in… shudder… Belgium. Okay, it's a train. MUCH better. I already feel the grit of the desert dust clinging to my… well, everything.
- Anecdote: The train ride in…oh boy. Remember how you dreamed of being a kid in a movie? Well, now you're in one. Except, I'm the awkward sidekick, trying not to stare at the family across from me stuffing their faces with what looked like the world's best samosas. I wanted a samosa so bad!
- 12:00 PM - Hotel Sagar Check-In & Initial Impression: Okay, the pictures online were… flattering. Let's just say the "royal" theme seems to have been interpreted as "lots of velvet and slightly faded grandeur." But hey, the lobby smells faintly of incense and something else I can't quite place. Possibly "old books and hope"? The staff are incredibly polite, which is excellent because I'm already slightly frazzled from the dusty train.
- Quirky Observation: My room key is basically a decorative metal thing you shove into a slot. Technology! Of a sort.
- Emotional Reaction: I'm feeling a weird mix of excitement and mild anxiety. I really hope my shower works. Pray for me.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at the Hotel Restaurant: First meal! I ordered something vaguely resembling "vegetable curry." It's… edible. Let's leave it at that. The waiter is probably used to tourists looking bewildered. I’m definitely one of them.
- Opinionated Language: That curry? Let's just say it's a culinary adventure. A mildly bland adventure.
- 2:00 PM - Exploring the Old City (Attempt #1): Okay, this is it! Venture out into the REAL Bikaner. And by real, I mean, the ACTUAL chaos. Narrow, crowded streets. Cows. Lots of cows. Auto-rickshaws beeping like enraged cicadas. I swear I saw a camel cart carrying a microwave. I’m already mesmerized.
- Messier Structure & Rambles: Okay, so I got completely turned around. The map is… well, it's a suggestion. I swear I walked past the same shop three times. I’m starting to think I’m destined to get lost in the mesmerizing labyrinth of Bikaner. And I'm actually kinda loving it.
- 6:00 PM - Sunset Camel Safari: The HIGH POINT. Okay, I had a bit of a freak out. My camel, bless his heart, was named "Sultan," which sounds way more regal than his demeanor. I swear he tried to eat my scarf. The desert sunset, though? Unforgettable. Truly. The colours were something out of a dream. Pure magic.
- Doubling Down on the Experience: The wind whipping through my hair, the silence (apart from Sultan's occasional grumble), the vastness of the sand dunes… It was a humbling experience. I felt utterly small, yet connected to something enormous. I could have stayed there forever. And the tea they served at the end? The perfect, sweet, spicy ending.
- 8:00 PM - Dinner & Debrief: Back at the hotel. I'm exhausted, covered in sand, and in love with Bikaner. Dinner tonight? Something… spicier, I hope. And maybe a large bottle of water. Dehydration is hitting me HARD.
Day 2: Forts, Flavors, and Full-Blown Tourist Mode
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast: The free hotel breakfast involves some kind of fried bread and watery coffee. I'm not complaining. I'm starving.
- Emotional Reaction: I am SO ready for the second day. No plans, just vibe.
- 10:00 AM - Junagarh Fort: Majestic. Seriously, this fort is like something out of a movie. The intricate carvings, the history… it's breathtaking. I got a little lost in one of the courtyards, but hey, more adventure!
- Opinionated Language: The sheer scale of it is mind-blowing. You could get lost for days and still discover new things.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at… Wait For It… A Local Restaurant (Again): More curry. Slightly spicier this time. Victory!
- 2:30 PM - Karni Mata Temple (The Rat Temple): Okay, so this is a bucket-list item, and I'm a total scaredy-cat. This is a temple filled with… rats. Thousands of them. They scurry everywhere. You can't step on them. It's… intense.
- Stronger Emotional Reaction: I'm a little freaked out. But also… fascinated. The devotion of the people, the sheer otherworldliness of the place… it's powerful. I might have squeaked a few times. Don't judge me.
- 4:00 PM - Shopping for Souvenirs: I need to buy ALL the things. I'm talking textiles, spices, and maybe a tiny camel figurine. Negotiating is an art form here. I'm going to try it's gonna be FUN. Also, I feel like I need a whole new wardrobe.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner & Relaxation: Back at the hotel. Feeling slightly less lost. The shower (thankfully) is working!
Day 3: Farewell Bikaner (Until Next Time…?)
- 9:00 AM - Last Breakfast & Hotel Check-out: Time to say goodbye to Hotel Sagar. I'll miss the vaguely incense-y smell. Maybe.
- 10:00 AM - Final wander through the market: Pick up a few last-minute gifts.
- 12:00 PM - Head to the train/bus/whatever takes me out of here: Until next time, Bikaner! I'll miss you, the chaos, the food, and the camels. And maybe even Sultan. (Maybe.) I have to plan more about the arrival…
- 1:00 PM - More Travel: Train or bus ride.
- Messier Structure & Rambles: My mind is a whirlwind of colours and flavours and the constant hum of auto-rickshaws. I'm definitely going to need some major de-briefing and maybe some therapy. But in the best possible way.
- Stronger Emotional Reactions: I'm actually a little sad to be leaving.
- Onward to next destination: More stories awaits.
Important Notes:
- Water: Drink it. Seriously.
- Stomach: Be cautious. Bring some remedies.
- Pace: Embrace the chaos. Don't try to do everything.
- Enjoy: You're in India, people! Embrace the madness. Have fun!
So, what *is* this thing anyway? Like, explain it to me like I'm five. Or possibly... a very confused adult?
Alright, picture this: You're trying to build a Lego castle. You have the instructions, the bricks… but the instructions are written by a hyperactive squirrel, and the bricks are made of Jell-O. That, my friends, is the essence of this… *situation*. It's a jumble. A beautiful, frustrating, sometimes-delightful jumble.
Okay… still a little hazy. What's the *point*? What are we doing, exactly?
The point? Ha! Well, that's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Honestly, some days I'm not entirely sure. It's like… chasing a particularly stubborn butterfly. Beautiful, elusive, and you end up getting grass stains on your knees.
There's certainly a *desire*. A nagging itch to... explore. To understand. To maybe, *just maybe*, make something that lasts a little bit.
Are there any rules? Or is it just total chaos? Because my brain is already starting to hurt.
Rules? Ha! You'd *think* there be rules. I've tried to impose a few. Like, maybe don't start a topic about the mating habits of garden gnomes… but then again, maybe that topic would actually be *fascinating*.
The biggest rule? Just. Be. Human. Messy, imperfect, opinionated, and sometimes utterly ridiculous humans.
So, what's been the *best* part so far? Give me the highlights!
Oh, man. Where to *begin*? Okay. Okay, let's talk about the time I tried to learn to play the ukulele. I thought, "How hard could it be? Four strings! Easy peasy!" (Narrator: It was *not* easy peasy). I spent a solid week strumming away, butchering "Brown Eyed Girl" until my fingers bled. My dog, bless his soul, started whimpering every time I picked it up.
Then, one glorious evening, I *finally* managed to get the intro chords right. The feeling of accomplishment? Pure. Unadulterated. Joy. I felt like I'd conquered Everest. Even though I sounded like a dying walrus. That, my friends, that feeling is why I'm here. That, and maybe a touch of insanity.
And the *worst* part? Spill the tea, sister! Was it a disaster? Did you want to throw your computer out the window?
Worst part? Hmm. Okay, buckle up. There have been *many* disasters. But the one that truly tested my sanity? Let's call it... The Great Spreadsheet Debacle of '23.
I'd built this elaborate spreadsheet to track, well, *everything*. Goals, progress, random thoughts, shopping lists... the works. It was a masterpiece, I thought. My digital fortress. Except... I messed up a formula. A *single* cell. And the WHOLE. THING. went haywire. Numbers were multiplying into infinity, charts looked like Jackson Pollock paintings, and I'm pretty sure the spreadsheet was actively *mocking* me. I nearly quit. I *seriously* considered switching careers to… I don't know, professional bubble wrap popper.
The rage? Astronomical. The feeling of utter defeat? Immense. The eventual, begrudging rebuilding? Sigh. It was a humbling experience. But hey, at least I learned a valuable lesson: back up your damn work.
What kind of challenges are you facing?
Oh, the challenges. Where do I begin? It's like trying to build a house with a toolbox full of mismatched hammers and a severe aversion to reading blueprints. The biggest hurdle? Probably my own brain. I'm a chronic overthinker, a master procrastinator, and have a tendency to start five things and finish precisely zero.
But then there's the tech side stuff. Which is a minefield. One minute you are a genius the next, you are staring at a wall of code that might as well be written in Klingon.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change?
Oh, the regrets! Where do I even start? Honestly? I would be much easier on myself. I'd remember that nobody is perfect, and the only way to learn something is by making a fool of yourself a time or twenty. I'd give myself permission to stumble, to fail, to completely botch things.
And maybe, *just maybe*, invest in a good programmer, so I didn't have to write endless lines of code at 3 am when I'm half asleep and delirious.
What's the absolute WORST thing about this endeavor?
The self-doubt. Oh, the crippling, soul-crushing self-doubt. The voice in my head that whispers, "You're not good enough," "This is a waste of time," and "Everyone will think you're an idiot." It's a relentless, nagging monster that I constantly have to wrangle. Some days the monster wins. Some days I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to start wearing a helmet.
It's a war. A relentless, exhausting war.
What are you *actually* trying to achieve here? Be honest!
Okay, fine. The honest truth? I'm trying to find something real. Something that feels… authentic. Something that isn’t just another perfectly curated Instagram feed. I want to connect with people, to share, to learn. To make something, even if it's just a mess of code and a mountain of self-doubt.
So, what's next? Spill the beans! Future plans?
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