Martam Retreat

The pool was warm and really good, but the sauna session was limited to 15 minutes and the steam didn’t work well. This is a small, charming, secluded place known for its mountain views, fields, and abundant birdlife. Service was excellent, the staff were professional, and the food was delicious. Special thanks to the chef for surprising my son with a complimentary cake for his 4th birthday.

The location made the trip difficult to manage. There aren’t nearby facilities or easy transport options, and the resort is about 1.5 hours from Gangtok. Travel agents often charge extra for pickup and drop-off, and some flatly refused to serve Karma Martam because it was too far. Since places like Lachung, Lachen, and Pelling require permits and planned stays, I’d suggest staying closer to Gangtok at first, then arranging onward travel. We ended up cutting our trip short, checking out a day early on April 24, and moving to another Gangtok property. After the experience, I wouldn’t recommend an extended visit here unless guest service and coordination improve substantially. We had two rooms booked at Karma Martam Retreat from April 20 to 25 with friends, excited to explore Sikkim. Before arriving, no holiday planner contacted us proactively, as we expected from other Karma properties. I had to get in touch myself and was told Mr. Sameer Jain was our planner. We were advised to reach the hotel first and plan the itinerary later. The main road has no hotel sign, and the access road was in poor condition with no proper street lights. Mr. Jain knew we were checking in but wasn’t there. Reception said it was his weekly day off, which nobody had told us in advance. If we’d known, another contact could have been arranged. Reception staff said they couldn’t help plan an itinerary and we’d have to do it ourselves. When I called Mr. Jain, he said reception wouldn’t give information without his permission, an odd and restrictive process. We weren’t given any alternative support, so we had to find local travel agents at the last minute. The property’s Wi-Fi also didn’t work. The following day, an outside travel agent arranged our three-day, two-night trip to Lachung, including the required permits. When we got back on April 23, we asked to use the sauna, steam room, and spa. Reception refused, saying other “members” were using them. That was disheartening, since we’re also paying members and expected equal access. Overall, this was one of my most disappointing stays at a Karma property. Coordination was poor, guest support was lacking, and access to amenities was restricted.

The food choices and quality were delicious, and the local dishes were especially extraordinary. Head chef Karma deserves a mention for the creative, scrumptious cooking. Hosts Charan, passang, Anisha, and Kajal looked after the food during our stay, and Pratheek handled the karma activities professionally. Rajkumar at the front desk was consistently helpful and polite, while housekeeping kept the rooms in great shape. The Karma group driver Tenzing sherpa picked us up from Bagdogra airport. He was experienced and safe, and interacted professionally with guests. It’s a jewel of a property in Sikkim with a lot to offer.

The food was below average, and they served a dish with cheese and milk even though we’d explained that one of us was lactose-intolerant. When we raised it, they said the new stewardess didn’t know. We had to suffer because of that carelessness. Housekeeping also needs a lot of improvement. We arrived at 9:30 pm to find the room full of bugs. When we asked for a duvet, they first refused, saying the hotel was full and had no extras. The property itself is average and the staff seem inexperienced. Travel packages are extremely expensive, and the front desk staff aren’t authorized to do anything about the prices. Our assigned holiday consultant was on holiday himself. He had the nerve to tell me he was calling to check on me during his weekly off, yet in my three-day stay he never once showed up or gave holiday advice. Sightseeing places are far away and taxis cost a lot, as does the resort travel desk. It was a really bad and sad experience at Karma Martam Retreat.