trixie2204

Hi all

I now feel reassured that there are people out there who can tell us if our travel agent knows what she's talking about! We are trying to confirm our HONEYMOON for January, so of course we want it to be pretty special. We are aware it is a fleeting tour but want a good overview for our first visit.

We are really looking for any feedback about weather, places and especially hotels on our plan.

The itinerary goes something like this:


India from 5 Jan

Day 1, 2 Delhi, Grand Intercontinental
Day 3 Agra, Jaypee Palace
Day 4 Bharatpur, Laxmi Vilas
Day 5, 6 Ranthambore, Tiger Moon
Day 7, 8 Samode, Samode Bagh

Thereafter Sri Lanka

Day 1 Columbo, Hilton Hotel
Day 2, 3 Sigiriya, Habarana Lodge
Day 4 Kandy, The Citadel
Day 5 Nuwara Eliya, Grand Hotel
Day 6 Hambantota, Oasis Hotel
Day 7-14 Bentota, Eden Resort and Spa

We like our creature comforts but also want to experience authentic India and Sri Lanka. A Hilton Hotel, for example, surely looks the same no matter where it is in the world?

So, similar budget appreciated, although not the end of the world.

Thanks loads to anyone who can help.

hobbes

Day 1, 2 Delhi, Grand Intercontinental - this is a normal, comfortable hotel. well located near Connaught Place for shopping and the sightseeing.

Day 3 Agra, Jaypee Palace - for 1 night I would try and see if you can upgrade this property to the truly unique and stunning amar Vlas (www.oberoihotels.com) - it will prob cost 2-3 times as much but I will come below to how you could save some monay making overall cost maybe the same
Day 4 Bharatpur, Laxmi Vilas - u will enjoy this hotel
Day 5, 6 Ranthambore, Tiger Moon - my fav Ranthambore property is Sher Bagh - www.sherbagh.com - also the most authentic safari type experience. Take a look at it - it prob costs more than Tiger Moon but not sure. Hope your travel agent has booked jeep safaris for you - permits are given out 60 days in advance and the experience is much better than the canter. Also smaller hotels are never good at organizing them so suggest you asap check this wth your agent
Day 7, 8 Samode, Samode Bagh - great property, loads of character - some posts here have had a negative experience with them. Options are Raj Mahal and Jas Vilas. Both cheaper too.

Thereafter Sri Lanka

Day 1 Columbo, Hilton Hotel - unless you are getting a cheap deal I would switch to something cheaper - you are quite right, a Hilton is a Hilton and it is Colombo's most expensive hotel but has no local charm IMO. Options are Taj Samudra - www.tajhotels.com or a boutique hotel I really like - Havelock Place Bungalow - bungalow.lk. The saving could go towards your Amar Vilas night.
Day 2, 3 Sigiriya, Habarana Lodge
Day 4 Kandy, The Citadel
Day 5 Nuwara Eliya, Grand Hotel
Day 6 Hambantota, Oasis Hotel
Day 7-14 Bentota, Eden Resort and Spa - I do not know this property but will make some general comments re Bentota and beaches there as u are spending a week. Please ensure that this is on a nice, private, secluded stretch of beach else you may be disappointed. IN general I did not find Bentota beaches compared with say Langkwai very well but situation of the property makes a significant difference.

I also feel you are trying to do a great deal in Sri Lanka before you hit the beach.I fear you may end up spending 3-4 hours daily in the car then having a few hours at the property then again embarking on the next leg. I would add a day to the tea plantation (Nuwara Eliya) and perhaps reduce a day from Bentota. Speak to your agent about taking the train to Nuwara Eliya as it is quite an experience and very scenic. I hope you plan to see the Pinnawela Elephant orphanage en route Kandy - take a look at www.aitkenspence.com for detailed decsriptions of what you should see en route various halts (they are a travel agency but very premium - not suggesting you book thru them but their site is very informative). Also, http://www.non.com/news.answers/sri-lanka-faq.html.

trixie2204

Hi Hobbes

Wow, you are a mine of useful and thoroughly relevant information. I am so grateful.

I have had a good look at the Oberoi site - fab. I have asked our agent to make some changes: Oberoi in Delhi (just because!), Amar Vilas in Agra (you are so right about that) Sher Bagh or Vanya Vilas in Ranthambore, Taj Samudra or Lanka Oberoi in Columbo, The Tea Factory in Nuwara Eliya.

I am quite convinced we are doing too much. However, I am trying to compromise between Richard who likes to 'do stuff' all the time, and me who likes to lie in the sun and chill out! I've decided that if we are busy enough before the beach stay I'll get him to relax too while we are there!

Can you tell me what to expect weather wise in January?

You have been such a help. Regards

Tracey

hobbes

OK, further comments Trixie :

Oberoi in Delhi - the best tourist hotel in Delhi IMO is the Imperial, take a look at that. I posted elsewhere just today that my fav business hotels in Delhi are the Oberoi and Maurya, my fav leisure property is hands down the Imperial. As it is your honeymoon take a look at the Imperial tho the Oberoi is also fine if u choose to stay with that.

So glad u have changed to Amar Vilas in Agra

Between Sher Bagh or Vanya Vilas in Ranthambore I always say Sher Bagh - it is cheaper but more importantly is a far more authentic safari experience - is not set on manicured lawns in the lap of luxury. Use the money u save on Sher Bagh to upgrade elsewhere and def go for a meal to Vanya Vilas, this will give you a good feel for the property, HAVE U BOOKED JEEP SAFARIS? I am writing this in caps as it is very imp - u cannot get them at short notice then will have to go in a canter which is not as nice.

Taj Samudra is much nicer than Lanka Oberoi in Columbo

The Tea Factory in Nuwara Eliya - gorgeous, sure u will love it

Weather wise Jan in Delhi and Rajasthan will be chilly - but the cardinal rule for traveling in cold weather in India is carry layers so they can be added and shed easily. Bear in mind that many places are not centrally heated so bulky down filled parkas do not work so well. Thermal layer, close fitting full sleeve tee, sweater, jacket, shawl/muffler. Sri Lanka will not be cold except maybe Nuwara Eliya. For temps check out www.weatherbase.com.

PastaEater

This topic has nothing to do with the philippines, why is this here????

Mealea

I agree that Havelock Place Bungalow in Colombo is really nice. It's small and intimate. Stylish and romantic. I don't like big hotels, so it was perfect for me.

zoomoozophone

I spent my honeymoon in India last December/January We stayed at Laxmi Vilas in Bharatpur and LOVED it. We took a half-day guided tour of the wildlife park and it was spectacular (you can arrange this right at the hotel, I believe) Enjoy your trip

zoomoozophone

p.s. for weather, it was perfect. sunny days, but not too hot out. the nights got quite cool. I wore long pants and bought several long-sleeve kurtas and some shawls and did just fine.

ccc

trixie2204, we just returned from Sri Lanka. We stayed in some awesome places (not hotels). The great thing about Sri Lanka, especially if you ar eon a honeymoon, is that you can stay in plantation bungalows, which are truly wonderful and private - but not on the mainstream tourist circuit. Two that stand out are Netherbyres and Hideaway, which we never would have found on our own. We also had a great!!! driver. You can get more info about all of this on www.boutiquesrilanka.com. I'm happy to answer any questions.

zoomoozophone

I did my honeymoon last January and loved it - you certainly picked a great place to travel On that note, you will love Laxmi Vilas in Bharatpur - we stayed one night there and did a guided tour through the wildlife sanctuary. The food was great, it's beautiful and luxurious while still feeling cozy. Enjoy your honeymoon - and congratulations!

zoomoozophone

yikes - I already replied to your message ages ago. must be married life messing with my brain....apologies for the repeated information

ILovebug

Hi trixie2204,

You've gotten some great advice. Let me just add that dinner at Kandahar restaurant at the Oberoi in Delhi shouldn't be missed. It is AWESOME mughlai food, complete with an upscale environment and live music/singers.

Alternatively, grab a bite at the tepanyaki-style Great Kebab Factory in Gurgaon.

You will love Amar Vilas!

Cheers,
I