Escape to Paradise: Lemon Tree Hotel's Gangtok Getaway
Escape to Paradise? More Like a Gangtok Getaway… With a Few Hiccups: My Lemon Tree Hotel Review
Okay, so I just got back from a trip to Gangtok, Sikkim, and stayed at… you guessed it… the Lemon Tree Hotel. The name promised sunshine and citrus, but, well, let's just say the reality was a little more… nuanced. Here’s the lowdown, warts and all, because honestly, pretending everything was perfect is just BORING, and let's not kid ourselves, hotels are never perfect.
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- Title: Lemon Tree Hotel Gangtok Review: A Mixed Bag in the Himalayas
- Keywords: Lemon Tree Hotel Gangtok, Gangtok hotels, Sikkim hotels, India travel, hotel review, accessible rooms, on-site dining, spa, swimming pool, fitness center, clean hotel, safety protocols, Wi-Fi, room amenities, travel tips, budget-friendly hotel
- Description: An honest, in-depth review of the Lemon Tree Hotel in Gangtok, Sikkim. Covering accessibility, amenities, dining, safety, and overall experience, with personal anecdotes and raw opinions. Is it a paradise escape, or something else entirely? Find out!
- Category: Travel > Hotels & Resorts > Hotel Reviews
(Alright, enough robot stuff. Let’s get messy!)
First impressions? The views, people! (More on those in a few). Getting to the hotel was a bit of an adventure in itself – those winding mountain roads… let's just say my stomach and I became very well acquainted. The hotel lobby itself was bright and modern, the kind of place where you instantly feel that 'tourist' vibe.
Accessibility – The Good, The Okay… and the Missing Pieces
- Wheelchair Accessible? Alright, here's where things got tricky. While they state they have facilities for disabled guests, I didn’t see as much as I'd hoped or read online. There were ramps and elevators, which is a good start, but maneuvering around felt a bit tight in certain areas. I spotted a couple of rooms listed as "accessible," but I'm not sure how accessible they truly are. It's definitely worth calling ahead and asking very specific questions if accessibility is a primary concern.
- Elevator? Yes! Praise be. Getting to the higher floors didn't require a lung workout.
- Facilities for Disabled Guests: The website had things listed, but I couldn't fully assess the overall availability and actual functionality.
- Access – Getting to the hotel was quite a trek, and a bit intense for people who aren't prepared.
Rooms – Cozy, Comfy, and… Did I Mention the View?
Okay, the room itself? Decent. Spotlessly clean, thankfully. The bed? Comfy enough to lose myself in (which is saying something, because I'm a light sleeper).
- Wi-Fi [Free] – Absolutely a must-have. The free Wi-Fi in the room was a godsend. Reliable enough to post envy-inducing Instagram stories of those mountain peaks.
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! – (See above, plus, it's a massive plus).
- Internet Access – Got it, and it worked.
- Air Conditioning: Essential in the summer period, or any time for a good night's sleep.
- Blackout Curtains: Perfect for avoiding the early sunrises.
- Complimentary Tea/Coffee Maker: Because, duh.
- Mini Bar – Well stocked (and a little pricey, but what do you expect?).
- Refrigerator – Good for storing water and snacks.
- Bathroom: Clean, well-lit, and the hot water situation was reliable (unlike my last hotel experience, where it was a gamble!).
- Safety/security feature – I felt safe, even though I wasn't able to get into the hotel's details.
Room Amenities – The Little Things That Matter
- Bathrobes: Nice touch. I'm a bathrobe person.
- Slippers: YES! I hate walking barefoot on hotel floors.
- Toiletries: Decent quality. No complaints.
- Wake-up Service: Used it. Worked perfectly.
- Additional toilet: A nice added feature in the room, especially if you had to share.
- Desk: Because, sometimes, you have to work (groan).
- Hair dryer, Hair dryer, Hair dryer: The amount of relief, because I didn't need to bring my own.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – A Mixed Bag
- Restaurants: Yep, plural! Which is always a good sign.
- Breakfast [Buffet]: The morning buffet was… okay. The usual suspects: eggs (cooked in several ways), pancakes, toast, some local options… nothing mind-blowing, but filled the void before a day of exploring. The coffee? Not great, which is always (for me) a bit of a let-down.
- Asian Breakfast: This was actually a highlight. A nice selection of slightly different options.
- Vegetarian restaurant: There was one, or at least some vegetarian dishes, which I appreciated.
- Poolside Bar: Noticed it, didn’t use it. The weather was a little (read: a lot) chilly, and I wasn't feeling much for a cocktail.
- Room service [24-hour]: Hallelujah! Perfect for those late-night hunger pangs.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: The coffee situation needed some help, though.
- Bottle of water: Always provided.
- Desserts in restaurant: Not a highlight, but okay.
- Happy hour: It existed.
- Western breakfast: Provided
- Snack bar: Also available.
- A la carte in restaurant: available
- Alternative meal arrangement: Available.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Good option.
- Bar: Bar, but not as exciting as expected.
- Buffet in restaurant: A decent but not incredible buffet.
- International cuisine in restaurant: available
- Salad in restaurant: available
- Soup in restaurant: available
- Western cuisine in restaurant: available
Things to Do & Ways to Relax – Spa Day Dreams and Gym Fails
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep, there's a pool… outdoors. And, as mentioned before, it was freezing when I visited. So, no swimming for me.
- Pool with view: But oh, the view from the pool! Stunning when the weather cooperates.
- Gym/fitness: I peeked in. Looked… adequate. Didn't use it. Holiday, people! Also, altitude.
- Spa, Spa/sauna: They have a spa! I didn't have time for a proper spa day, sadly, but I heard good things. Next time, I’m booking a massage and hiding away.
- Sauna, Steamroom: Available
- Massage: Available
- Body scrub: Available
- Body wrap: Available
- Foot bath: Available
Cleanliness and Safety – A Sigh of Relief (and Hand Sanitizer)
- Cleanliness and safety: This was where the Lemon Tree really shines. Everything was spotless.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: They stated they used them, so, that's good.
- Breakfast takeaway service: This was a plus.
- Cashless payment service: very convenient.
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Good to know during these times.
- Doctor/nurse on call: always appreciated.
- First aid kit: always available.
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere! Not just at the front desk, but strategically placed throughout the hotel.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: important.
- Hygiene certification: Mentioned.
- Individually-wrapped food options: I appreciated this.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They tried.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Good.
- Room sanitization opt-out available: Not sure if it was available, but good to avoid.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Another good move.
- Safe dining setup: Everything was handled.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: Definitely.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: they seemed professional.
Services and Conveniences – Did They Have Everything? Yes, Pretty Much.
- 24-hour service, front desk – Always a bonus. Especially if you have a flight to catch at an ungodly hour.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Currency exchange: Handy.
- Daily housekeeping: My room was clean every day.
- Dry cleaning: I didn’t use it, but it's there.
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're ditching the sterile travel brochure vibe and diving headfirst into a real Lemon Tree Hotel Gangtok itinerary. This promises to be less "perfectly curated experience" and more "slightly chaotic adventure with questionable food choices and the potential for altitude sickness." Let's get this show on the road, shall we?
Lemon Tree Gangtok: The Incomplete, Imperfect, and Utterly Human Itinerary
(Disclaimer: This is NOT a tightly wound schedule. Consider this more of a vaguely-planned, hope-for-the-best guideline. Also, altitude is a thing. Be prepared to huff and puff.)
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Anxiety
- Morning (or, let's be honest, whenever the heck the flight lands): Arrive at the Bagdogra Airport (IXB). God, that airport is a trek, isn't it? Hope you remembered to pack a decent book or, you know, sanity. After (hopefully) surviving the drive – which, let's be honest, is half the fun/terror of getting to Gangtok – check into the Lemon Tree. Honestly, first impressions? Pretty decent. Clean, the staff seem genuinely nice (a major plus after the airport).
- Mid-morning/Early Afternoon: Altitude check. Breathe. Remember to breathe! The first few hours? Gonna be a bit… fuzzy. Headaches are your new best friend. Maybe a brisk walk around the hotel (slowly!) to acclimatize. Don't be a hero. Tea is your friend. Order tea. Actually, order ALL the tea. I'm talking masala chai, ginger tea, lemon tea… just hydrate, people.
- Lunch: Restaurant inside the hotel. I'm pretty sure I saw some… interesting looking curries on the menu. Okay, I'm a sucker for a "Safe Choice" so I'm ordering the Indian butter chicken. I'm praying it's good because I'm hungry. Let us pray, amen.
- Afternoon/Evening: This is where things get vague. Maybe venture out to MG Marg, the heart of Gangtok. It's supposed to be lovely… and a little bit crowded, which is probably fine. Explore the shops, soak up the atmosphere, buy WAY too many yak wool scarves. Don't get me wrong, these scarves are gorgeous, but I have an insane impulse to buy one in every color and I'll barely even wear it.
- Dinner: If you're feeling brave, try a local restaurant on MG Marg. If the altitude is still kicking your butt, stick to the hotel and order something gentle. Don’t be afraid to try the local momos… they're everywhere!
Day 2: Temples, Tea & Terrifying Views
- Morning: Off to the Rumtek Monastery. Get ready for some SERIOUS spiritual vibes. It's breathtaking. Honestly. Get ready: You'll also be getting ready for the drive down. Get yourself a driver. They're used to this. And it's steep with some pretty treacherous bends. And… did I mention altitude? Okay, maybe I did. But seriously, just breathe.
- Mid-morning: The drive up to the monasteries is beautiful. They say a prayer and it gives you good Karma.
- Lunch: Pack a lunch if you have the forethought I, sadly, am lacking. Otherwise, hope for the best regarding local eateries around the monastery. Or get the Hotel restaurant.
- Afternoon: Tea estate tour. This is non-negotiable. I mean, the tea here is what I've been waiting for: and I'm not a tea-drinking and I like it! Just sip on some fresh tea and pretend you are feeling better in the tea-growing hills.
- Evening: We're probably tired. So tired. Relax. Watch some TV in the hotel room. Maybe re-watch a movie, and if you're lucky, the hotel has a decent view.
Day 3: Adventure (or a slight panic attack)
- Morning: Today's the day! The plan is the cable car, the Gangtok Ropeway. Honestly? I am TERRIFIED of heights. But hey, bucket list, right? Plus, I bet the views are incredible. Bring a barf bag just in case.
- Mid-morning: Survive the cable car – or don't. If the views are bad, I may never go through this ever again.
- Lunch: Maybe a local restaurant, but I might be too pale and shaky to eat. Okay. I will be. I said I will be. Just hydrate with the tea and a local snack of some sort.
- Afternoon: Okay, if I survive, I want to go to the Enchey Monastery. It's supposed to be peaceful and beautiful. Alternatively, sleep in my room until dinner.
- Evening: Dinner, preferably something filling and comforting. Maybe a pizza. Don't tell anyone. Fine, tell everyone. I need all the carbs.
Day 4: Last-Minute Shopping and Departure (and inevitable regrets)
- Morning: Last-minute shopping on MG Marg for souvenirs. Spend WAY more money than you intended to. Regret it later. Curse myself for not buying the purple yak wool scarf!
- Lunch: One last meal at the hotel or maybe a local place you liked. Try something different, live on the edge!
- Afternoon: Check out of the hotel. Farewell, Lemon Tree! Back to the airport. Hopefully, this time the drive is a little less terrifying.
- Evening: Reflect on the trip. Feel a mix of exhaustion, exhilaration, and the lingering taste of momos. Start planning the next adventure.
Quirky Observations & Rambles:
- The drivers! Bless them. These guys navigate those roads like they were born to it. I'd be white-knuckling the whole time.
- The stray dogs. Everywhere. Adorable, mostly. Some look a little rough around the edges, though.
- The air smells different. Clean and crisp. And sometimes, like something delicious cooking.
- MG Marg at night. It's alive! A jumble of shops, people, and the ever-present aroma of… everything.
- Altitude. Altitude. Altitude. Seriously. Pack altitude sickness pills. Trust me on this one.
Emotional Reactions:
- Joy! (At the views from the monasteries… assuming I didn't pass out.)
- Mild panic (On the cable car.)
- Annoyance (At myself for not packing enough snacks.)
- Exasperation (At how quickly the time went by.)
- Relief (When the plane finally takes off.)
Messy Structure & Imperfections:
- This itinerary is more of a suggestion. Feel free to ignore it and do whatever the heck you want.
- There will be delays. There will be traffic. Embrace it.
- You will probably discover a new favorite food.
- You will probably get slightly lost at least once.
- You might cry. You might laugh. You will probably get a little sunburnt.
Opinionated Language:
- The food is generally pretty good. Some of it is AMAZING. Some of it… well, let's just say "interesting."
- The people are incredibly kind. Be polite, be respectful, and you'll be rewarded.
- Pack layers. The weather can change on a dime.
- Don't be afraid to explore.
Bottom Line:
This trip to Gangtok will be an experience. It may be messy, it may be imperfect, but it will be yours. Embrace the chaos, the beauty, and the sheer, unadulterated human-ness of it all. Now go have fun!
Penang Paradise: LYK Guesthouse's Stunning Seaview Pool & Jacuzzi!
Okay, so "Escape to Paradise: Lemon Tree Hotel's Gangtok Getaway"? Sounds...cheesy. Is it actually paradisiacal?
Look, let's be honest. "Paradise" is a loaded word. My expectations after seeing that brochure were, admittedly, a *little* high. Think perfectly manicured lawns, fluffy clouds, and maybe a unicorn casually sipping a piña colada. Reality, my friends, is a bit more... nuanced. But Gangtok? Yeah, it's got something special. Lemon Tree? Okay, it's *nice*. Clean, comfy beds after a day of lung-busting climbs? Absolutely. Paradise-level? Depends on your definition. I'd say it falls somewhere between "pretty darn good" and "better than being at home doing laundry." (And trust me, that laundry pile was calling my name.)
What's the *real* deal with the Lemon Tree's location? Is it convenient or a death march to get anywhere?
Alright, location, location, location. This is where things get a little... complicated. It's *technically* in Gangtok. That's a plus. But, and this is a *big* but, Gangtok is built on a mountain. So, while *everything* in Gangtok involves a climb, the Lemon Tree seems to be strategically placed… to maximize the climb. There were days – DAYS, I tell you – when I felt like I'd run a marathon just getting to a cup of coffee. That said, the views... Oh, the views! Worth the huffing and puffing. Think panoramic vistas of the Himalayas, the kind that actually take your breath away (even *before* the climb). So, good and bad. Like a rollercoaster. Except you walk to get on it.
The food. Tell me everything. Was it the bland hotel buffet experience or did it actually *taste* like something?
Okay, food. The most important question, right? Let me just preface this by saying: I'm a foodie. I live to eat. The Lemon Tree’s restaurant, Citrus Café, was...fine. Not mind-blowing. Not the stuff of epicurean legends. Some days, I was absolutely craving the rich, spicy food of the local street vendors (which, by the way, felt like an adventure in themselves, dodging scooters and stray puppies during the quest for momos!). Other days, I was grateful for something familiar. Breakfast was pretty standard: eggs (cooked to request, thankfully), toast, the usual suspects. Dinner… varied. One night, the butter chicken was divine. The next, it tasted suspiciously like it had been sitting out since lunchtime. So, a gamble. Bring snacks. Seriously.
What about the rooms? Clean? Comfortable? Or did I need to pack my own hazmat suit?
The rooms? Generally clean. Generally comfortable. Think… Holiday Inn, but with a slightly better view. My biggest gripe? The water pressure. Or *lack* thereof. Picture this: you've spent the day trekking through rain forests, you're muddy, sweaty, and desperate for a hot shower. You turn the tap… and a pathetic trickle emerges. A trickle! I seriously considered writing them a complaint in the shower steam. (Didn’t. Regrets.) But hey, it's India. You adapt. You learn to love the slow-motion shower experience. Besides, the beds were comfy and the wifi (mostly) worked. So, take your hazmat suit, just in case. But it's probably not necessary.
Did you *actually* see anything cool in Gangtok? Or mostly just the inside of the hotel?
Gangtok. Okay, now we're talking. The *real* reason I chose this getaway. The views from the hotel, as I mentioned, were incredible. But venturing outside was *essential*. I visited the Rumtek Monastery – a kaleidoscope of color and serenity. The intricate artwork, the chanting monks… it was a complete sensory overload in the best possible way. I even got a chance to spin one of the prayer wheels! Then there was the Tsomgo Lake, a high-altitude lake that was absolutely breathtaking. The reflections of the mountains on the icy water were nothing short of magical. The cable car? A must-do. And no, I didn't just stay inside. A hotel stay to keep you from exploring is a waste of time.
Okay, so the views are amazing, the food is a gamble, and the rooms, well, they're rooms. Overall, was this trip worth it?
Absolutely, unequivocally, yes. In a heartbeat. Despite the water pressure issues and the occasional questionable butter chicken, the experience was worth every penny, every climb, every moment. Gangtok, as a destination, is a truly special place. The people are warm and welcoming, the culture is vibrant, and the scenery is simply awe-inspiring. The Lemon Tree, despite its minor flaws, served as a perfectly adequate base camp for exploration and relaxation. I had some of the most amazing moments, some of the most hilarious encounters, and some of the most stunning sights ever. It’s not about perfection; it’s about the experience. So, if you're looking for a gateway to adventure and a chance to connect with a truly unique part of the world, then this trip is definitely worth taking. Just pack some snacks, a good book (for the inevitable shower downtime), and an open mind. You’ll be fine. And you’ll probably end up wanting to go back. I know I do.
Any specific recommendations for things *not* to miss?
Okay, buckle up. This is the "must-do" list: * **Rumtek Monastery.** Seriously. Go. The architecture is incredible, the atmosphere is serene. * **Tsomgo Lake:** Be prepared for a drive, but the views are insane. Especially if you go during the season when local animals are available for rides. * **The Ropeway:** Get a bird's-eye view of the city and surrounding landscapes! Terrifying, yes. Worth it, absolutely. * **Try the Momos!** Find a local stall (ask your driver for recommendations), and get your hands dirty. They're the perfect snack after a day of hiking. * **Kanchenjunga View Point:** It's all about the views, people! Wake up early, cross your fingers for clear skies, and be prepared to be blown away. And for the brave? Try a local liquor. Just…pace yourself.
Okay, last question. Would you go back?
Absolutely. Honestly, even with the wonky shower and the up-and-down food, the memories I made there are priceless. I'd go back to Gangtok in a heartbeat. And maybe I'd try a different hotel next time, just to compare... but I'd definitely head back to that incredible corner of the world andHidden Stay
