Mann Tamarind Residency, Gangtok

We’ve returned to this hotel twice, first in December 2016 and then in June 2018. It’s handy for MG Road, about a 20-minute walk, and they can arrange trips to Gurudongmar Lake and Yumthang Valley, which makes planning easier. The rooms are spacious, well maintained, and have all the essentials. Breakfast is complimentary, has a good spread, and tastes great.

Four families in our group visited in the first week of May 2024, and it was a horrible experience. They call it a four-star hotel, but to me it felt like zero stars. Room service was poor and slow, and the staff seemed totally inexperienced. The hotel is so old that the water heaters and power sockets had frequent problems. The food quality and service were pathetic. We had to keep waiting for ordered dishes and even for the morning breakfast included in our package. Don’t be surprised if the breakfast is stale. It wasn’t worth what we paid at all.

The rooms are nicely decorated and look out to a great view. The washroom had useful facilities, including 24-hour hot water, a bathtub, hairdryer, and emergency landline. Breakfast was delicious, too. It’s a great motel, well placed between the main road and the market. The hostel is rated four stars, and the quality matches. I’d rate it as the best hotel among the others.

The front desk was quite helpful, and the reception has a spacious feel. It’s nice to sit in the lobby, and the restaurant service was good, though the place could be managed more professionally and kept cleaner. Food was okay, and the rooms are spacious with an old-style feel. Lower floor rooms don’t have a view. The old elevator has grill doors that can open even when the lift cabin is on another floor. If someone leaves the doors open, you have to wait for staff to close them before it can move. Still, it’s a good base for staying and heading out for sightseeing in either direction.