Orchha hotels

Sorry, I haven't checked on this thread in a while.

No - they didn't bother to answer my emails and the mp-tourism office is not answering emails either.

So far I haven't booked a room in Orchha - any tips for me how I should be able to make arrangement for a stay at the Sheesh Mahal?

Thanks!

I went down to the MP Tourism office in Mumbai... and made the booking there in person. My friend is trying it through their official website.. but so far hasn't heard back from them.

the official website from the state of mp offers online booking. but since i don't live in india and don't have a credit card issued in india, i don't know if i could use their booking system. i've heard that often credit cards issued abroad are not accepted. and what does payment gate of hdfc bank means?

it states:

Instant Reservation by making payment through Credit Card:
MPSTDC has enabled payment facility through Credit Card (Master Card and VISA) through payment gateway of HDFC Bank . Please choose the relevant option on the availability page for making payment by credit card, so that instant reservation is made in your name.

thanks again for any help!

I think it means that you will get a pop-up or will be redirected to a website of the HDFC. In this environment you can make your payment using a (foreign) credit card.

Yes, you can use the credit card issued elsewhere. I haven't heard of any issues in this regard. Payment gateway is just a card-processor service, somewhat similar to authorize net and other services in U.S. HDFC is the name of the bank providing this service and there may be other gateways (just FYI, may be at other sites - like ICICI gateway, CITI bank gateway etc.)

Now, the other important part - If you would like to know the telephone number, just PM me and I will find their number, from some of documents which I may have from Sheesh Mahal.

Another fact, it really depends when you want to go. Is it the peak season or lean season for Orchha. If you schedule in India is flexible, you can book them after arrival here.

Do you remember the name of the cottages?

Also, we're wondering if we go to Orchha in October, during Diwali, could we go w/o reservations some place and just show up? Or is it better to make reservations ahead of time? Any suggestions?

They're called the Betwa Retreat, right by the river close to the Chatris.
A kilometer out of town this place is nice too Bundelkhand Riverside

Has anyone been able to get a reply to email form Bundelkhand Riverside - if so what email address did you use

Thank you
Wabat

I haven,t been in Orchha at this time, but the town filled right up at makara sankranti! obviously don't expect to sleep if you're in town. i recommend a hole in the fence 1km past the entrance to the wildlife reserve for access to a peaceful, empty bit of riverside. we stayed at 'fort view' which was fine.

Hi everyone!

I'm usually not one to post hotel reviews, but I felt it my duty to share with you the warm feelings I received from Hotel Ganapati in Orccha. The rooms were clean, the service was good, and the garden had a beautiful view of the palace, but what compels me to write this review is the owner and his staff. Immediately upon arriving, I felt Vinod to be a very warm man - someone who truly cared about his guests. And I was right! He didn't have any rooms in my price range, but understood my predicament and was willing to accept whatever it was that I could afford to pay. He always greeted me respectfully, and at times made me feel as if I was his sole guest in the hotel, although the rooms seemed to be almost always full. He is a business man, but I very much came away from his hotel with the impression that the hotel business is his medium for awakening - for treating others how he wishes to be treated, and for opening all of our eyes in the process. Recommended!

Best!

-Dave

Dave,

Can you share price range and contact details please .

Thank you
Albert

Hi Albert,

The prices he quoted me were Rs250 and up. I think there were twenty or so rooms available in all, with those on the second level being the nicest and most expensive.

Contact details are as follows:

Hotel Ganapati under the care of Vinod Vaidya

Email: ganpati_vinod@yahoo.co.in

Best to you!

-Dave

I booked both the Payal in Khajuraho and Sheesh Mahal about 6 weeks in advance with no problem using a Citibank (US) issued Mastercard. I got confirmations and printed them out. You can also look on the mptourism website to see what the monthly bookings look like for any of their properties (so you don't waste time if they are full on your desired day)

mptourism site is a bit tricky to navigate but here's what I did:

1. go to mptourism.com

2. select destinations tab

3. click on the location of your choice

4. Select Bookings

5. Select Online Booking

6. New window opens, select destination and dates

after that it's pretty clear what to do. You will have to create a user name and password....this is handy if you want to pull a copy of your confirmation at a later date.

Am trying to decide between Sheesh Mahal and Betwa Retreat. Unfortunately we don't really have enough cash for the Maharajah suite. Betwa has a pool, which is an advantage, but Sheesh seems to have more character and better restaurant. It would be nice to stay somewhere with a nice garden. Any views?

How easy is it to swim in the river?

Is quite easy to swimm at Betwa river, just go to the other side of the river (coming from the village) and at the right side you'll see a very nice corner protected by the trees.

Talking about Shees Mahal, you must know that the hotel is not at the middle of the village and at night is not very confortable to go there, I was there three years ago when prices were reasonable but now the price is almost the triple, I'm talking of room number 7 on the first floor in front of Maharaja's Suite. I think Amar Mahal is a better option nevertheless last August have stayed in Sri Mahant guest house at the middle of the village, a good option.

Jorge