Unbelievable Jodhpur Gem: Goroomgo Devmahal's Hidden Luxury!
Unbelievable Jodhpur Gem: Goroomgo Devmahal’s Hidden Luxury! - A Review (With a Side of Rambling Joy)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to gush about Goroomgo Devmahal in Jodhpur. Forget your meticulously planned itineraries, your Instagram filters, and your pretentious travel blogs – this is real talk. This place… well, it’s a keeper. And I'm not even being paid to say that (though a free stay wouldn't hurt, Goroomgo!).
First Impressions & Oh My God the Accessibility! (Or Lack Thereof… Kinda)
Right off the bat, let's get this out of the way. Devmahal isn't perfect when it comes to accessibility. While they do have facilities for disabled guests listed (and, frankly, I didn’t investigate them enough), the vibe leans toward "boutique Rajasthani charm" which, let's be honest, doesn't always scream "wheelchair-friendly." You'll likely be navigating some steps and uneven paths. BUT! The staff… amazing. More on that later.
Accessibility Rating: Maybe a 3/5? Depends on your needs. Definitely call ahead and be specific about your requirements.
Getting Connected (or Disconnected, Your Choice):
Right. Internet. Crucial, right? Especially when you're trying to upload those breathtaking photos of the Blue City.
- Free Wi-Fi in All Rooms! Hallelujah! And I’m happy to report it actually works. I'm talking streaming your terrible reality TV habits, video calls with the folks back home, the works. They also have Internet access [LAN] if you’re old school or need a super-secure connection.
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Solid, too. Good coverage even by the pool (more on that glorious pool later…)
- Internet services are clearly available, beyond access.
Stuff to Do… and More Stuff to Not Do (that's the point!)
Look, Jodhpur is incredible. The fort, the palaces, the chaos… it's all wonderful. But sometimes, you just need to unwind. Devmahal gets this. Big time.
- Ways to Relax: Okay, this is where it gets good. They do have a Spa/Sauna! and I'm kicking myself for not taking advantage of that. I'm pretty sure they also have a Steamroom because the online description is so ambiguous, I wasn't sure.
- Swimming Pool: The pool! This isn’t just a pool; it's a pool with a view. I swear I spent half my vacation just floating around, gazing at the hazy, romantic expanse of the city.
- Gym/fitness: I saw the fitness center, but let's be honest, I was too busy eating and marveling at the view to hit the treadmill. Your mileage may vary, fitness fanatics.
- Massage: It's listed and while I didn't indulge (again, the pool!), I heard raves about it.
- Fitness Center: I didn't go, sadly. But it looked perfectly serviceable.
My "Wellness" Moment – The Pool with a View. A Deep Dive.
Okay, this is the part that really got me. Let me paint you a picture. It was late afternoon. The sun was slowly dipping behind the Mehrangarh Fort, turning the sky into a canvas of fiery orange and bruised purple. I was in the Swimming pool [outdoor], and it's a real beauty. I'm not talking a tiny plunge pool here. This is a proper pool, not too crowded, and just… perfect. The Pool with view is a huge plus. It wasn't just the temperature of the water (blissfully warm), or the gentle breeze, or the fact they had Poolside bar, and I could order a drink (hello, happy hour!). It was the feeling of utter, blissful nothingness. Like all my worries, my deadlines, my… you know… life… were just melting away. I could have stayed there forever. I almost did. Pure, unadulterated, vacation-induced contentment. This is worth the price of admission, folks.
Cleanliness and Safety – Did I Feel Safe? Absolutely.
This is a BIG one these days, right? And honestly, Devmahal nails it.
- Cleanliness: Spotless. Truly. The rooms? Sparkling. The common areas? Impeccable.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Professional-grade sanitizing services. Yep, they've got it all. They even offer Room sanitization opt-out available, so you can decline their sanitization if prefered
- Hand sanitizer everywhere, but it's tastefully done, not the aggressively clinical stuff.
- Safe dining setup: The tables spaced well, the staff wore masks (and were happy to do so), and everything felt… safe.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: The staff was clearly following protocols and I felt totally comfortable.
- Rooms sanitized between stays. Thank goodness!
Food, Glorious Food (and Drinks!):
Okay, I'm a foodie, and Devmahal did NOT disappoint. I spent a shameful amount of time in the Restaurants… and it was worth every bite.
- Restaurants: Amazing!
- Breakfast [buffet]: A delicious way to kickstart your day. The Asian breakfast had some interesting items
- Breakfast service: It's great!
- Buffet in restaurant: It had it all!
- A la carte in restaurant: Yes, yes, and more yes.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant & Coffee shop. I was happy to see them.
- Happy hour: Yes!
- Room service [24-hour]: Yes, glorious yes. Nothing beats room service when you're jet lagged.
- Poolside bar has fantastic offerings!
- Bottle of water: Provided, as you'd expect.
- Desserts in restaurant: Yes, and you must try them (especially the gulab jamun).
- Asian cuisine in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, and Vegetarian restaurant. Everything was amazing.
- Vegetarian restaurant: Nice to see!
- Snack bar is there.
- Soup in restaurant: Good soup? What's not to love?
- Western breakfast & Western cuisine in restaurant: It's all there for you.
Services and Conveniences – They've Thought of Everything… Mostly.
This is where Devmahal really shines. They seem to have anticipated every need.
- Air conditioning in public area & Available in all rooms. Essential. Especially in Jodhpur.
- Concierge: Super helpful, especially when you’re trying to navigate the labyrinthine streets of Jodhpur.
- Dry cleaning, Ironing service, and Laundry service: Super useful.
- Elevator: Fantastic, especially if you have mobility issues.
- Luggage storage: Convenient.
- Safety deposit boxes. Always a good thing.
- Cash withdrawal & Currency exchange: Essential!
- Daily housekeeping. The rooms always look pristine.
- Doorman and Front desk [24-hour]: Always helpful!
- Facilities for disabled guests: I would investigate this before you commit.
- Food delivery: Yes, in case you want to order something from the outside.
- Gift/souvenir shop: It’s well-stocked, but buy your souvenirs at the local shops, in my opinion.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, and Seminars
- Indoor venue for special events & Outdoor venue for special events: Great for weddings or parties!
- Terrace. Great for drinks.
- Wi-Fi for special events: Very useful!
For the Kids (or the Big Kids at Heart):
- Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, and Kids meal. They had everything.
Security, Access, and All That Jazz:
- CCTV in common areas & CCTV outside property: Felt very safe.
- Check-in/out [express] & Check-in/out [private]: Good to know!
- Fire extinguisher, Smoke alarms, and Security [24-hour]: Essential.
- Non-smoking rooms.
- Pets allowed unavailable.
The Rooms – My Little Oasis
Okay, the rooms are gorgeous. They're not just pretty; they're comfortable, well-appointed, and full of thoughtful touches.
- Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, and Bathroom phone are all available.
- Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, and Daily housekeeping: All fabulous!
- Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, and High floor: Everything a traveler needs!
- **In-room safe box
Alright, buckle up buttercups. This isn't your sanitized, perfectly-packaged travel brochure. This is the REAL Goroomgo Devmahal Jodhpur experience, filtered through my brain cells (and, let's be honest, probably some dehydration). Here's the chaos:
Day 1: Arrival and the "Oh My God, It's Hot" Welcome
- Morning (aka "The Descent into Heat Death"): Landed in Jodhpur around 10 AM. The brochure lied. It said "pleasant temperatures." Pleasant for lizards, maybe. Me? I was already sweating like a politician at a truth-telling convention. The airport…well, it's an airport. Cleanish, but mostly filled with the nervous energy of tourists and the slightly less-nervous-but-probably-still-sweaty locals.
- Transport to Devmahal (aka "The Rickshaw Ride of Destiny"): Pre-booked a taxi, thank the heavens. The driver, bless his heart, was attempting to navigate this city's concrete jungle. I swear, he looked like he was auditioning for the Fast & Furious franchise riding up the crazy streets. And the traffic! Cows, bikes, auto-rickshaws, and the occasional brave (or insane) pedestrian – a delightful, chaotic, symphony of horns and near-misses.
- Check-In at Devmahal (aka "Pretty in Pink and OMG, More Pink!"): The hotel itself…wow. Pink. Everywhere. Not a blush, more like a vibrant, unapologetic, "Look At Me!" PINK. Beautiful, yes, but I'm convinced it’s designed to subtly induce sensory overload in tourists like me. The staff were lovely, though, and the lobby offered a moment of blessed, chilled air. Got a room, and immediately stripped down, and collapsed on the bed.
- Afternoon (aka "Finding My Feet, and Mostly Sweating Them Out"): Decided to explore the area. Thought I'd just quickly grab a bite, but the nearest eatery (the name escapes me, something with 'pizza' in it), was a 15-minute walk, which was like a pilgrimage in this heat. Went in and ordered a bland pizza, was not impressed. Then, I tried to find a coffee shop, but that place was closed or nonexistent. Gave up on that idea.
- Evening (aka "The Blue City…and My Growing Appreciation for Air Conditioning"): Walked out towards the blue city; it was spectacular, and an utter contrast to the pink hotel. The views were incredible, but the heat was still relentless. Made it up to the Mehran Fort. It was a sight to behold, and the history was fascinating (but the sun…the sun was a cruel taskmaster). Then, I had dinner at a rooftop restaurant called "Sunset view". I was not impressed. It was an oily and underwhelming meal. All in all, it was a perfect place to end the day.
- Rambling Thought: I keep thinking about my hair. Is it sticking to my neck? Are all my pores permanently open? Will I ever feel dry again?
Day 2: Forts, Flavors, and Figuring Out the Art of Doing "Nothing"
- Morning (aka "The Early Bird…Gets a Sunburn"): Decided to beat the heat by starting early. Headed back to the Fort (again, beautiful! But…the sun!). Wandered around, trying and failing to appear cultured. The sheer scale of the place is impressive, but it's a workout on its own, so be ready with your water bottles!
- Mid-Morning (aka "Spice Bazaar Overload…In a Good Way"): Found a spice bazaar! Holy moly, the colors! The smells! The merchants who are trying to sell you everything, including their relatives, apparently. I ended up buying enough spices to open my own tiny, overpriced spice shop in my tiny apartment. Now, I'm slightly regretting it, but at least the aroma in my suitcase is heavenly.
- Lunch (aka "The Thali Trial"): A local restaurant for lunch. Ordered a thali. It was an odyssey of flavors! I swear, I tasted things I’d never even heard of. Some were amazing, some were…interesting. The naan was so good I almost ate the waiter's hand!
- Afternoon (aka "Pool Time and Contemplation…And More Sweating"): Back at the hotel. Pool time! Glory be! Even the tepid water felt like heaven. Spent the afternoon attempting to relax (with varying degrees of success). The sun was intense, but I can't imagine just sitting in the room all day. Then I tried to do some writing, but the heat made it impossible.
- Evening (aka "The Jodhpur Food Scene is a Rollercoaster"): Back to the food scene. Trying a different restaurant. I have no notes about the food because it was so incredible, I was lost in the food scene. I wanted to stay there all night long!
- Rambling Thought: Is it just me, or is the humidity actively plotting against my hair?
Day 3: Farewell Jodhpur (and a Prayer for a Dry Climate)
- Morning (aka "The Last Pink Sunrise…and the Sad Goodbye to Air Conditioning"): Woke up early, said a solemn goodbye to the air conditioning. Had a decent breakfast, then went for a stroll around the hotel. The staff treated me like royalty, I felt bad to leave.
- Mid-Morning (aka “Souvenir Shopping Shenanigans”): Time for some last-minute souvenir shopping. Got some souvenirs.
- Afternoon (aka “Homeward Bound…and Dreams of a Cool Breeze”): Taxi to the airport (another wild ride!). Goodbye, Jodhpur! You were pink, sweaty, delicious, and exhausting.
- Final Rambling Thought: Would I come back? Absolutely. But maybe with a personal AC unit strapped to my back. And a whole lot more sunscreen.
Imperfections, Quirks, and Messy Bits:
- I lost count of how many times I had to reapply sunscreen.
- My attempts at bargaining resulted in more laughter than actual discounts.
- I kept accidentally saying "Namaste" to my hotel room door.
- I developed a strange addiction to chai tea.
- I'm pretty sure I saw a dog wearing sunglasses. (Or maybe it was the heat)
So there you have it. My slightly unhinged, brutally honest, and delightfully imperfect Jodhpur adventure. It wasn't perfect. It was hot. It was chaotic. But it was real. And I wouldn't trade it for the world (except maybe for a lifetime supply of iced water). Now, if you'll excuse me, I need a shower…and a good cry in a cool room.
Goa's BEST Beachfront Restobar: This Is IT!
Okay, so... Goroomgo Devmahal. Is it actually "Hidden Luxury" or just… marketing fluff?
Alright, let's rip the band-aid off. Is it HIDDEN luxury? Well, kinda. The *finding* part is hidden, because it's tucked away down these winding, dusty lanes that your taxi driver will probably get lost in thrice. That's part of the charm, though! Makes you feel like Indiana Jones discovering a lost temple (minus the snakes, thankfully). The LUXURY? Okay, yeah, that's there. But it's not the sterile, impersonal kind. It's more... *lived-in* luxury. Like, the kind of place where you feel like the owner actually *wants* you to be comfortable, not just shelling out money. I found my room… perfect. The beds were large. Enough to forget all the things I should have to do.
What's the vibe like? Is it all stuffy, or can I wear my ripped jeans?
Oh honey, rip those jeans! Unless, you know, you *want* to dress up. Depends on the day, honestly! It's not a stuffy place, thank god. The staff is super friendly and relaxed, they actually *talk* to you. No robotic greetings. More like genuine interest, a little bit of cheeky humor. I remember trying to explain my dietary restrictions (vegetarian, but with a severe aversion to coriander – the devil's herb, as I call it). The chef just chuckled and said, "Don't worry, madam, we will take care of you." And they did! They even remembered my coriander phobia every single meal. That's the kind of attention to detail that makes you feel… well, not just like a guest, more like a slightly spoiled, yet very happy, friend.
The Rooms! Spill the tea! Are they Instagram-worthy?
Okay, the rooms. Yes. They are Instagram-worthy. But, and this is a big but, in a *real* way. It’s not like some perfectly manicured hotel room that screams "model home." It's more… character. Think of beautiful, sun-drenched rooms, the kind that seem to whisper stories of a forgotten era. Some rooms might have a slightly wonky door frame, which only adds to the charm. Don’t expect ultra-modern minimalism; expect a blend of historical design with some contemporary amenities. I stayed in the… oh god, I think it was the “Royal Suite”? (I’m terrible with room names). It was MASSIVE! I was actually tempted to just… move in. The only downside? The Wi-Fi was a little… iffy at times. But honestly, who needs internet when you've got a view like that and a comfy bed calling your name?
Let's talk food. What's the restaurant situation like?
The restaurant… *deep breath*. Okay, here's the thing. The food is **divine**. Seriously. The best Indian food I ate on my entire trip. The chef is a genius. I'm pretty sure he’s part wizard. But... and there's always a but, isn't there? The service… *sigh*. It's a little… slow. Okay, sometimes, it's glacial. Be prepared to wait. Bring a book, strike up a conversation with your fellow guests, or just… relax and soak in the atmosphere. But *trust me* it's worth it. The *palak paneer* was something else. Honestly might have been the best thing I've ever tasted.
What about the amenities? Pool? Spa? Petting zoo? (Okay, maybe not a petting zoo...)
There's a pool! And it's glorious after a day wandering around Jodhpur in the scorching sun. It's not Olympic-sized, but it's perfect for a refreshing dip and a cocktail. Did I have a cocktail? Definitely. Do not hesitate to order one. I think there’s a spa, too. I never quite made it because I was too busy wandering around the city, eating all the food, and lounging by the pool. You know, priorities. No petting zoo, sadly (but I'm not sure how I feel about that).
Okay, the staff. Tell me *everything* about them.
The staff… okay, this is where the magic really happens. They are absolute gems. They're not just employees; they're like… extended family. I'm not kidding! Remember how I mentioned the coriander incident? Well, everyone from the waiters to the room service staff knew about it. They were genuinely helpful, not just pretending to be. They somehow managed to be both attentive and relaxed, which is a hard balance to strike. One night, I was feeling a bit under the weather, and one of the staff members, bless his heart, brought me a simple soup and ginger tea. He even checked on me later to make sure I was feeling better! You just don't get that kind of personalized service everywhere. This is the reason I'll be going back, I swear. It might not be perfect, but the people ARE.
Any downsides? Be honest!
Alright, let's get gritty. The Wi-Fi was hit or miss (told ya!). The wait times for food… yeah. And sometimes, things just happened. Let’s say the hot water one morning wasn’t QUITE as hot as I expected. But, seriously? Those are *minor* things. I’m talking nit-picking at this point. Nothing that could ruin the experience.
So, would you recommend it? (Don’t give me a generic answer!)
Listen, here's the deal. If you're looking for a cookie-cutter, flawlessly perfect hotel experience, this isn't it. But, if you want a place with character, charm, delicious food, and where you can truly relax and feel pampered... GO. Go now! Seriously. I'm already planning my return trip. The slightly imperfect, human-ness of the place is what makes it so special. It’s not just a hotel; it's an experience. Go!
