I fell particularly in love with this little villa because of its incredible potential for backpackers and solo travellers to make friends. After spending quite some time in Europe I started to miss the ability to make travel buddies and travel with some new-found friends. Not that I don’t love Europe, I do, but I find it difficult to make friends in most of the hostels because they are either so large-scale that it’s more like a hotel, or they have started accepting families, babies and elders into what we typically call ‘youth hostels’. In Nepal it is so easy to make friends along the way, everyone I have met thus far has been so friendly. It is monsoon season in Nepal right now so there aren’t many travellers in the area, but if there were… The JUDDHA-VILLA would be the perfect place to hangout and meet new friends.
Size
It’s like one beautiful house, two floors and quite a few rooms. Each room is equipped with two single beds, 2 large safety boxes and lounging space. Comparing it to a typical 5 star hotel, each room is a little smaller than the average space but so worth what you pay for! The shared kitchen, bathroom and living room are all extremely spacious and are great places to relax and have fun.
Bed
The bed is a single bed. I have been so spoiled the past little while on my hotel visits that to be honest, coming back to a single bed wasn’t my favourite experience. Comparing the beds to other hostel and hotel beds I’ve slept on across the world though, this one despite its size definitely ranks in the higher standards of comfort. A bed is a bed, and sometimes you get that shitty arrangement where they offer you a single box spring instead of a mattress, but I can confidently let you know that this is a great single bed.
Amenities
No amenities beat the extra-large, incredible safety locks they have for each person in the JUDDHA-VILLA. I’ve never seen anything like it, I mean of course I’ve seen storage lockers and safety boxes in hotel rooms before, but never the size of these ones. If you wanted to, you could fit your entire suitcase or backpack in this storage box and lock it up every day you’re out. Each storage unit allows you to create your own code before locking it up. On top, you also have plenty of books to read, a nice quiet fan and fresh drinking water daily. Oh, I can’t forget about the WIFI… Perfect! 🙂
Bathing Facilities
For shared bathing facilities, these ones are pretty fantastic! The shower heads are about 1 foot by 1 foot in size and dispense the water like a perfect rain shower. Though the pressure isn’t fantastic, you can be sure that you will get one great, relaxing hot or cold shower, whatever you prefer. One thing I would suggest is that if you’re planning on spending time in front of the mirror in your private space, bring your own. There isn’t a mirror in the room I stayed in so I had to go to the shared washroom to put my face on – haha.
Common Area
Which one? You have your front sitting area with loads of books and sitting space, you have your tv room with more books, more seating and a flat screen tv, and then you have your dining room with a beautiful 4 seated dining table and a spacious floor for activities :D.
Overall, this is actually one of my favourite single/partner shared accommodations. I have never stayed in a shared accommodation that felt like home but had the luxury of your own private space as well with locked doors and massive safes. I really love it here and as a solo traveler, I would come back here 100% if I happen to make way back to Nepal again.
For more information or to book your stay at the Shaligram Hotel visit www.shaligramhotel.com.
