AnuradhaManjul
Google
We had thought of travelling to Orchha many times, but some how the program never materialised. But then this time every thing fell in place - connectivity and accommodation option and even our professional schedule.||We had recently stayed at MP Tourism property in Gwalior (@Tansen Residency) and had liked it. So we decided to go ahead with MP tourism property again. MP Tourism has 2 properties in Orchha - Sheesh Mahal which a small heritage property located right inside the Orchha fort and Betwa retreat. We opted for Betwa retreat, booked a AC Swiss Tent on triple occupancy. ||We reached Jhansi at around 12.45 pm and then took a taxi to Orchha. Distance to Orchha is just around 18 kms but due to traffic, it takes around 40 minutes. The road was fine and the route is green and beautiful. The property is well known and is on the main road which goes towards the Chattris or the Cenotaph area. Its near Kanchan Ghat. The on which we were travelling turned, one part going straight to the river (ghat) and the other towards the cenotaph. This property is next to the Janki Vilas hotel, or let's say the last hotel on the road, before the crossroad for cenotaph area.||We were given a warm welcome, check in was smooth, were offered a welcome drink. Hotel staff took our bags to our tent. The whole property is on a hillock and is beautiful with ample green cover.||Our tent was spacious with a large bed (in fact we have never seen such a large bed in any property). There were 2 sections in the tent - one in the front, which had the bed, refrigerator, a small study table, an LCD Television, a pedestal fan, a small 2 seater dining table and two small stool like side tables; the 2nd part was a small dressing area - with a dressing table and a old wooden cabinet. This part was connected to wash room which was again spacious. They had given a small kettle, cups, tea, coffee, milk and sugar sachet and one unique thing - a box which had those bakery cookies (jeera / cumin ones, lightly salted). The tent had air conditioning too. Overall the tent was comfortable. There was a small table with 2 chairs on the outside of the tent. Perfect for those morning tea routine.||The property is beautiful and has a swimming pool, along with rooms, cottages and tents. There are many heritage areas in the property; an original medieval structure which has now been converted into a heritage suite (it was under renovation when we visited).||The restaurant and business center is located on the left side when one enters the property, again on a small height. The view from the restaurant is beautiful. The food is tasty. We had our lunch and dinner once during our stay. We had a buffet breakfast (part of our room charges - room on continental plan i.e. CP) daily during our stay - the spread was decent with cereals, fruits, dishes like poha, pakodas or vegetable fritters, moong dal badas (not like the south Indian vada), aloo (potato) bhaji (curry) with poori, dhokla or khaman, sweet vermicili with milk, fruit juice, tea/coffee options, bread (which could be toasted), butter, jam etc.||One had options to order from their menu, eggs could be ordered. The restaurant serves non vegetarian dishes too.||Outside the rooms and other structures there were paintings which depicted Hindu Gods and Goddesses, local people in a traditional Bundeli art style. The restaurant building on the outside had Lord Vishnu's Kurma Avtaar (incarnation) painting and inside the business center a whole wall depicting Lord Vishnu's Dashavatars (10 incarnations) in fresco style.||There are lovely garden areas all around. Just opposite the restaurant are stone stairs leading to the ruins of an old gate leading the way to the Chaupal (another old heritage monument). The old heritage building of Chaupal has Indo-Islamic features and domes and was being renovated when we were there.||The cenotaph (not exactly as these are the memorial on the place where the royal family / rulers of Orchha were cremated as they were Hindus) or the Chattris are located at just 5 minutes walking distance. We could see the Chattris from our tent area. ||Location wise this is ideal. Not too crowded, but near all the main attractions which are in the vicinity of 1 km to 2.5 km. You can either walk around or use battery vehicles (Toto) which are easily available - few of them stand outside the property.||Pre book the accommodation using any aggregator like Agoda, Make My Trip or use MP tourism website. Don't expect a luxurious property like a Taj or ITC, expect a mid budget beautiful property which provides you with a comfortable stay in a peaceful environment. In fact we were reminded of those old British style daak bungalows where we had stayed in our childhood and they used to be the only option sometimes in hill station or forest areas.