A Pleasant, Standardised stay at Golden Tulip, Khajuraho || A hotel at walking distance from famous Western Group of Temples

During our recent trip to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh (Orchha, Khajuraho, and Jhansi), we had planned to do budget travel. We were driving from NCR, and we had decided that we would stay at budget hotels and eat at budget eateries. But we had also decided that we would reward ourselves by ending our trip with one stay in a non-budget hotel and one meal at a good restaurant. For a meal at a good restaurant, we went for Raja Cafe in Khajuraho. For non-budget stay, we chose Golden Tulip in Khajuraho.

During our recent trip to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh (Orchha, Khajuraho, and Jhansi), we had planned to do budget travel. We were driving from NCR, and we had decided that we would stay at budget hotels and eat at budget eateries. But we had also decided that we would reward ourselves by ending our trip with one stay in a non-budget hotel and one meal at a good restaurant. For a meal at a good restaurant, we went for Raja Cafe in Khajuraho. For non-budget stay, we chose Golden Tulip in Khajuraho.  


We made this booking when we were at Orchha. We had had enough of budget stay for this trip and wanted to book a place that we would want to come back to at the end of a tiring day. We found the Golden Tulip deal at about Rs. 3,500 per night, without any meals. No meals wasn't a deal breaker. In fact we preferred it that way. Related Blogpost - Raj Niwas - Book the whole hotel around Lake Pichola of Udaipur, if you are looking for an accommodation for 3 families with a private party space with stunning panoramic views in City of Lakes

We made this booking when we were at Orchha. We had had enough of budget stay for this trip and wanted to book a place that we would want to come back to at the end of a tiring day. We found the Golden Tulip deal at about Rs. 3,500 per night, without any meals. No meals wasn't a deal breaker. In fact we preferred it that way. 


Another important consideration for us wherever we go is that we like walking around, so we wanted the hotel to be close to the Western Group of Temples. And Golden Tulip was perfectly located as per that consideration as well. It was less than 500 meters from the entrance to the Western Group of Temples.

Another important consideration for us wherever we go is that we like walking around, so we wanted the hotel to be close to the Western Group of Temples. And Golden Tulip was perfectly located as per that consideration as well. It was less than 500 meters from the entrance to the Western Group of Temples.

 
We normally prefer booking homestays, but recently we have discovered that many options that are listed as homestays, are being run in a very non-homestay like way. You do not feel as if you are part of a home and that was the original definition of a homestay. We have stayed in true homestays in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Kerala, but hadn't had a great experience in Madhya Pradesh so far.

We normally prefer booking homestays, but recently we have discovered that many options that are listed as homestays, are being run in a very non-homestay like way. You do not feel as if you are part of a home and that was the original definition of a homestay. We have stayed in true homestays in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Kerala, but hadn't had a great experience in Madhya Pradesh so far.

 
With an option like Golden Tulip, you are at least sure of what to expect. Along with the brand, comes standardization and also an assurance that even if we would not experience a personal touch, there would be no surprises when it comes to basic amenities, such as clean towels, sheets, and washrooms, working TV and plug points, and hot water etc.

With an option like Golden Tulip, you are at least sure of what to expect. Along with the brand, comes standardization and also an assurance that even if we would not experience a personal touch, there would be no surprises when it comes to basic amenities, such as clean towels, sheets, and washrooms, working TV and plug points, and hot water etc.

 
Anyway, we were already looking forward to seeing our room while we were driving from Orccha to Khajuraho. We had booked a ground-floor, pool-facing room and the photographs online had been really promising. We reached Khajuraho, at around 10 AM and found that our room was ready.

Anyway, we were already looking forward to seeing our room while we were driving from Orccha to Khajuraho. We had booked a ground-floor, pool-facing room and the photographs online had been really promising. We reached Khajuraho, at around 10 AM and found that our room was ready.

 
The room was clean and done as per Golden Tulip standards and even though it was on the ground floor, strategically planted palms provided some privacy. So only someone who wants to spy on you would be able to do it, even with the curtains open. Full-length windows with a view of the palms and the pool made the room warm and calming.

The room was clean and done as per Golden Tulip standards and even though it was on the ground floor, strategically planted palms provided some privacy. So only someone who wants to spy on you would be able to do it, even with the curtains open. Full-length windows with a view of the palms and the pool made the room warm and calming. 


After placing our bags in the room we went out to explore the property a bit. Palms and other tropical plants and trees gave a very goa-like feel to the place. The grounds were well-maintained with beautiful flowers and manicured lawns. The pool was clean and while we were there, we also spotted a few people swimming. We did not attempt it though because of the pandemic.

After placing our bags in the room we went out to explore the property a bit. Palms and other tropical plants and trees gave a very goa-like feel to the place. The grounds were well-maintained with beautiful flowers and manicured lawns. The pool was clean and while we were there, we also spotted a few people swimming. We did not attempt it though because of the pandemic.

 
It was indeed a relief to stay at a nice-looking hotel. We did not try any food at the hotel, so we can't comment on that. However the biggest plus of the hotel remains its closeness to the Western Group of Temples. The fact that we did not have to take out our car to cover the biggest attractions of Khajuraho was a big blessing. The hotel is also placed strategically to be just close enough to the Eastern and Southern Group of temples - everything is just a short drive away.

It was indeed a relief to stay at a nice-looking hotel. We did not try any food at the hotel, so we can't comment on that. However the biggest plus of the hotel remains its closeness to the Western Group of Temples. The fact that we did not have to take out our car to cover the biggest attractions of Khajuraho was a big blessing. The hotel is also placed strategically to be just close enough to the Eastern and Southern Group of temples - everything is just a short drive away.
 
The interiors of the hotel were interesting too with gorgeous figurines placed at corners and on mantles. Also, because of the hotel being relatively empty, we felt free. For example, on the second evening of our stay, there was a thunderstorm and even though this was a formal kind of a hotel, we were able to sit on the front porch and enjoy it.

The interiors of the hotel were interesting too with gorgeous figurines placed at corners and on mantles. Also, because of the hotel being relatively empty, we felt free. For example, on the second evening of our stay, there was a thunderstorm and even though this was a formal kind of a hotel, we were able to sit on the front porch and enjoy it. 


One important point to keep in mind when you are staying in Golden Tulip or any other hotel in Khajuraho is that you will most probably ask them about a safari to Panna National Park. They will try to arrange the safari for you, but the prices would be exorbitant. No, they are not trying to con you. The safari indeed costs more than Rs. 5000. But only if you book the entire safari jeep for yourself.

One important point to keep in mind when you are staying in Golden Tulip or any other hotel in Khajuraho is that you will most probably ask them about a safari to Panna National Park. They will try to arrange the safari for you, but the prices would be exorbitant. No, they are not trying to con you. The safari indeed costs more than Rs. 5000. But only if you book the entire safari jeep for yourself. 


If you are willing to share a safari jeep with a couple of other people, you can get it for less than half the rate that the hotel with quote you. And the person we were interacting with at the hotel for this purpose, actively tried to discourage us from opting for a shared jeep. Again, I am not saying that he did this for any ulterior motives. Probably he had our best interests in mind in context of the pandemic. However, the truth remains that we weren't able to get a deal at the price that suits us, at the hotel. But we were able to get it at the gate of the national park. More detail here. Related Blogpost - Tour of our room at Four Seasons Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica

If you are willing to share a safari jeep with a couple of other people, you can get it for less than half the rate that the hotel with quote you. And the person we were interacting with at the hotel for this purpose, actively tried to discourage us from opting for a shared jeep. Again, I am not saying that he did this for any ulterior motives. Probably he had our best interests in mind in context of the pandemic. However, the truth remains that we weren't able to get a deal at the price that suits us, at the hotel. But we were able to get it at the gate of the national park. More detail here. 


But on the whole, we had a good time at Khajuraho and part of it was because we had a good place to stay. We strongly recommend Golden Tulip for its cleanliness, ambience, and excellent location. The staff is polite and helpful too. So if you are looking at a standardized, pleasant experience, opt for Golden Tulip. Related Blogpost - A visit to Four Season Vineyard in Baramati during Harvest Season (Maharashtra, India)

But on the whole, we had a good time at Khajuraho and part of it was because we had a good place to stay. We strongly recommend Golden Tulip for its cleanliness, ambience, and excellent location. The staff is polite and helpful too. So if you are looking at a standardized, pleasant experience, opt for Golden Tulip. 

Related Blogpost - A visit to Four Season Vineyard in Baramati during Harvest Season (Maharashtra, India)

If you liked this post and found it helpful, I would request you to follow these things when traveling - 

1. Manage your waste well and don’t litter Use dustbins.

2. Tell us if you went to a place and found it hard to locate a dustbin. 

3. Avoid bottle waters in hills. Usually you get clean water in hills and water bottles create lot of mess in our ecosystem. 

4. Say big no to plastic and avoid those unhealthy snacks packed in plastic bags. Rather buy fruits. 

5. Don't play loud blaring music in forests of jungle camps. You are a guest in that ecosystem and disturbing the locals (humans and animals) is not polite.

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