Escape to Paradise: Hotel O New Sun N Snow, Manali's Hidden Gem
Manali's Magic, Minus the Tourist Traps: My Raw Take on Escape to Paradise: Hotel O New Sun N Snow
Alright, buckle up, because I'm not going to sugarcoat this. I've just clawed my way back from Manali, and the experience was… well, it was a journey. And that journey landed me at Escape to Paradise: Hotel O New Sun N Snow. Now, I'm not a travel blogger who's got the "perfectly curated Instagram feed" vibe. I'm a real person who needed a break, a real break, and I'm here to tell you if this hidden gem offers it.
First Impressions: The Hustle and the Calm
Manali. The name conjures up images of snow-capped peaks, chai-sipping bliss, and… well, crowds. Getting to the hotel (airport transfer available – and, trust me, take it) felt like navigating a chaotic dance. But then… boom. Hotel O New Sun N Snow. Suddenly, the frenzy melted away. It's not smack-dab in the middle of the main drag, which, honestly, is a blessing. It offers a different kind of Manali experience.
Ease of Access & The Little Things That Matter (or Don't)
Accessibility: They do have "Facilities for disabled guests," which I appreciate as a starting point – but a more detailed review would be a big win for anyone needing specifics. (This needs more depth.)
Getting Around: Car park [free of charge]… tick! Always a winner. They also offer a car park [on-site] (for the less "free" feeling), plus taxi and airport transfers.
Check-in/out: Contactless check-in/out options. This is pretty standard, but I appreciate it to keep the germs at bay.
Seriously, Where's the Wi-Fi That Works?
Internet Access: The vital info. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise the internet gods! I got a lot of work done, but there were some drop-offs, so don't fully trust the promise of never-ending internet bliss.
Internet [LAN]: There's also an option for direct internet connections.
Internet Services: I found the staff very helpful whenever there was a problem.
Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Spotty. Okay, to be honest, it wasn't great. But in my room? Fine.
The Room: My Sanctuary (and its Minor Quirks)
Okay, let's dive into the real deal: the rooms. Mine was a decent size, clean enough, and had all the basics.
The Comforts: Air conditioning (important in some seasons!), a super comfortable bed, even an alarm clock (remember those?). And a mini-bar! But let me be honest, the mini bar was a bit sad, with a very basic selection. Still, I was grateful for the cold water.
Necessary Bits and Bobs: There was the usual coffee and tea maker, a safe, a hairdryer, and… well, a window that opens. You know, for that gorgeous mountain air.
The Little Annoyances: The carpeting was a bit dated (but clean-ish), and the lighting was a touch… dim. Not a huge deal, but worth noting.
Non-smoking rooms: YES! So important, especially if you're like me and can't handle cigarette smoke.
Soundproof rooms: Pretty good, but sometimes the street noise still managed to creep in.
Cleanliness & Safety: Making Me Feel Safe
- Hygiene Certification: I didn't specifically ask about this, but I did notice…
- Daily Disinfection: They were taking this seriously. I saw staff constantly wiping down common areas.
- Anti-viral cleaning products & Sanitization: I was super impressed with their anti-viral cleaning products.
- Room sanitization opt-out available :
- Rooms sanitized between stays :
- Hand sanitizer: Available at all times.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They all wore masks and, really, tried to keep their distance.
- Cashless payment service: I appreciated for its convenience.
Food, Glorious Food (and Occasional Hiccups)
This is where things get a little… uneven.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet] was fine. Not mind-blowing. There were some pastries, eggs, (both Western and Asian options).
- Dining Options: A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant
- The Good: The Asian cuisine in the restaurant was quite good. The coffee shop was nice to chill.
- The Not-So-Good: I ordered room service one night, and the soup was… lukewarm. The options were maybe a little tired after a few days.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax (The Real Paradise?)
This is where Hotel O New Sun N Snow really shines. This is the reason to go.
- The Pool with a View: The outdoor swimming pool is a serious highlight. Seriously. Imagine, after a day of hiking or exploring, flopping into a pool with the Himalayas as your backdrop. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
- The Spa (Part I): Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Sauna… They have a full suite of spa facilities: Massage, Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath. Yes to the spa, it really helps you relax. I went every day!
- Fitness Center: I’m no gym rat, but the fitness center was clean and well-equipped.
Services & Conveniences: Smooth Sailing (Mostly)
They’ve got the essentials covered. Laundry service. Luggage storage. Concierge. Daily housekeeping. All good!
- Food Delivery: They worked with some of the local restaurants.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Did a late-night purchase, and the service was great.
- Doctor/nurse on call: (thankfully, I didn't need it!)
For the Kids: A Mixed Bag
- Family/child friendly: Yes, but not overtly so.
- Babysitting: Did not use it.
Missing Pieces? (Things I Wished Were Better)
- The Wi-Fi consistency. Seriously, fix this!
- More Food Variety.
The Verdict… and My Honest Offer
Look, Escape to Paradise: Hotel O New Sun N Snow isn't perfect. It's got its quirks. But it's got soul. It's a place where you can truly unwind, soak up the mountain air, and feel like you've escaped the tourist throngs. The spa, the views, and the staff's efforts to make things comfortable – those are major wins.
Is it the perfect place? Maybe not. But it's a damn good place to start your Manali adventure.
My Crazy-Good Exclusive Offer (For All You Real Travelers Out There!)
Book NOW through this review (yes, I'm getting paid!) and get:
- 15% off your room rate.
- A complimentary massage at the spa (because you deserve it!).
- Free upgrade (when available).
- Guaranteed high-speed Wi-Fi for the entire stay (they'll make it happen!).
- A free bottle of wine to enjoy with your first dinner at the restaurant.
Why am I offering this? Because I want you to experience the magic of Manali without the usual tourist-trap BS. Visit that URL and book your trip today (I will get a tiny commission, so, yeah, it’s a win-win!).
Don’t hesitate. This offer is going to disappear faster than a plate of momos on a Manali trek.
Unbelievable Agrigento Getaway: Belvilla by OYO Agora Dodici Awaits!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's perfectly-packaged itinerary. This is the real deal, the messy, glorious, slightly-chaotic journey through Hotel O New Sun N Snow in Manali, India. Prepare for some altitude sickness, questionable food choices, and a whole lotta "what was I thinking?"
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Adjustment, and the Great Momo Debacle
- 8:00 AM: Arrived in Delhi. Seriously, Delhi airport? It's a chaotic ballet of baggage handlers and people who definitely haven't mastered personal space. Already sweating, and I haven't even seen the mountains yet.
- 9:30 AM: Flight to Kullu. Oh, the Himalayas! I swear, the initial view from the plane was worth the entire trip just in itself. So, so beautiful.
- 11:00 AM: Landed in Kullu, and immediately, I was surrounded by smiling faces. Found my pre-arranged transfer. The driver? A chatty, chai-loving fella. He pointed out apple orchards and gushing rivers as if they were old friends. Sweet, kinda.
- 12:00 PM: Officially in Manali! (Or at least, the outskirts). Hotel O New Sun N Snow is… well, it's there. The pictures online were definitely filtered, but hey, clean sheets, and a balcony with a view? I'll take it. After settling in, the altitude hit me, I immediately felt like I had run a marathon, but then had a nap.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at the hotel. Ordered dal makhani and rice. Honestly, bland. Needed a bucket of chili to make it exciting.
- 2:00 PM: Rest. Or, attempt to rest. Altitude sickness is a beast. Head throbbing. Body aching. Regret setting in (maybe I should have stayed home?).
- 4:00 PM: Decided to brave a walk into town (aka, Vashisht, which is about a 20-minute hike). The air is crisp, a lovely change. But the uphill climbs make me feel like I am moving in slow motion. Saw some "momos" (steamed dumplings) on the way, from a street vendor. Oh, the sweet, innocent momos, with the promise of delightful flavor!
- 4:30 PM: Purchased momos. The vendor, bless his heart, was a bit generous with the chili sauce. Ate three of them, feeling like a valiant warrior. Then: The FIRE. My mouth was on FIRE! Tears streamed down my face. I couldn't taste anything for about an hour! The taste of the momos after the initial burn? Meh, mostly dough. I am not sure I could finish them, but I did.
- 6:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Regretting my poor momo life choices. Sipping ginger tea to soothe the chili-induced inferno.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. More dal makhani, but this time, I asked for extra chilies. Fool me once… Lesson learned? Nope.
- 8:00 PM: Staring out the window. The stars are brilliant. Thinking about the Himalayas. Feeling okay. Mostly.
Day 2: Rohtang Pass & the Unexpected Yak Ride
- 6:00 AM: Woke up feeling surprisingly good! Maybe the altitude is my new best friend. (Famous last words, I'm sure.)
- 7:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Had eggs and toast. Much better than the previous meal. Maybe my taste buds have recovered from the momo massacre.
- 8:00 AM: Started the journey to Rohtang Pass. The hotel (thankfully) arranged a taxi. Road trip! The road up there is treacherous! The views? Majestic. Snow-capped peaks, winding mountain passes. The driver? Another chatty guy, but this time, he had a playlist of Bollywood songs that made me want to learn Hindi.
- 10:00 AM: The first snow! Exhilarating! Got some hot tea from a roadside stall (and cautiously avoided the chili).
- 11:00-12:00 PM: Rohtang Pass! So much snow!! I am not sure it is something I had ever seen. Took about a million pictures of myself in the snow (because, obviously).
- 1:00 PM: Lunch. Again, the food. Not the highlight.
- 2:00 PM: I'm walking around. Suddenly, a yak. A real yak. The driver suggested a yak ride, and, despite internal screaming, I agreed to it! It was the most absurd, slightly terrifying, yet surprisingly enjoyable experience of my entire life. The yak just plodded along, ignoring my squeals of delight and fear. The yak was definitely the best part of the day.
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel, but the trek back was grueling. I'm sore.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. (Guess what? You got it! Dal makhani). Bed. Sleep.
Day 3: Hadimba Devi Temple, Manali Market, and the Great Souvenir Crisis
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast. At least the coffee here is good. Maybe the coffee is the only thing.
- 9:00 AM: Visited Hadimba Devi Temple. Peaceful, beautiful, so very rich in history.
- 10:00 AM: Walked to the Old Manali. The journey wasn't bad. The view was spectacular.
- 11:00 AM: Explored the Manali market. Colorful chaos! Found a pashmina shawl that I bargained for (successfully, I think!).
- 1:00 PM: Lunch at a cute little cafe. Decent pasta. A welcome change.
- 2:00 PM: Souvenir shopping. The quest for the perfect gifts is ON. Overwhelmed. I end up buying a bag full of things (mostly hats and trinkets, I think). Regretting the momo decision.
- 4:00 PM: Back in my room. Going through my shopping haul & having a serious existential crisis about whether I actually need a yak-shaped key chain.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel. Pasta!!
Day 4: River Rafting (and Near-Death Experience)
- 9:00 AM: Attempted to do a river-rafting adventure excursion. The river looked beautiful. The rapids? Not so much.
- 10:00 AM: The raft. The water. The guide. I am not a good rower.
- 11:00 AM: It got chaotic quickly. We tipped over. I was in the river, trying to stay afloat in freezing water. The guide pulled me back. We finished the rest of the ride, but I am never doing that again ever. Ever.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch was at a local spot. I was cold, so I had soup and momos.
- 2:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Soaking in a hot bath.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner! This time, I am ordering a pizza.
Day 5: Departure
- 8:00 AM: Final breakfast at the hotel. Said goodbye to the view.
- 10:00 AM: Started a long trip back to Delhi.
- 12:00 PM: Finished the trip.
Reflections:
The Himalayas are breathtaking. Rohtang Pass is a must. Momos, however, are a gamble. The hotel? Room for improvement, but the staff was lovely. Will I return? Probably, but maybe with a slightly more realistic understanding of my spice tolerance and a renewed appreciation for dry land. And definitely, I'm bringing a life vest!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Huy Phuong Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City!
