Vidya Niwas Reviews, Dharamsala Hotels, Dalai Lama Town, Good Accomodation, The Perfect Place.

Vidya Niwas Guest, Dharamsala (Abode of The Dalai Lama)

Guest Review - Lauren

"Thank you for doing all you can to make sure my stay in Dharamsala was nothing short of perfect! I especially appreciate the extra lengths you went to secure me a spot for practising Yoga. I have very much enjoyed my time in this beautiful part of the world, so thank you very much for making it all that it could be. The food is delicious and I eagerly look forward to seeing your secret recipes."

Vidya Niwas Guest, Dharamsala (Abode of the Dalai Lama)

Guest Review:- Jennifer Gillian 27th Sept. 2008

"What began as a simple internet search for housing in Dharamsala during H.H The Dalai Lama's teachings, has ended up being one of the most calm and cozy experiances I've had while travelling in India. The surrounding sights and sounds, the simple and comfortable room, the AMAZING food and the many conversations with all members of the family has made this stay a refreshing break from the hectic life in Delhi. I'm looking forward to a future return trip to Vidya Niwas with my husband to enjoy it all over again! Many Blessings!"

Guest Review:- Genero ("Jena") 9th Oct.2008

"I was welcomed into this pleasant retreat with a combination of warmheartedness and proffessionalism that is so rare to find these days. Great location, exceptionally helpful and friendly family and the very best food INDIA can offer! I will highly recommend Vidya Niwas to all my friends who pass the neighbourhood."

*I hope we'll get the chance to meet again before too long. Many,many thanks and all the best.

• "Vidya Niwas is the definition of paradise! This retreat nestled in the foothills of the Himalaya far surpassed our expectations. We arrived to a warm greeting and hot tea offered by owners Arvind and Sangeeta and from there things just got better and better. We stayed in the Tibetan room (one of several themed rooms) and really enjoyed the attention to detail as we felt that we were back in Tibet. The room was spacious and immaculate and the bathroom was well appointed and we enjoyed taking hot showers and then drying in the sun on the porch with a mountain backdrop (complete with a glacier). Th highlight of our stay was the arly morning coffee time with the owners and thier daughter where we all discussed current events, took turns brushing the pet bull Barnie and firmed up the day's plans (both Arvind and Sangeeta have years of experience in the travel industry and are well versed at travel in the entire region (India, Nepal, Tibet). After coffee we'd have the first of Sangeeta's three meals all of of which could be on the menu at the world's top restaurants and then headed out for one of the many sights in the region. I simply can'r say enough about Vidya Niwas and I plan to go back to see the people we now call friends! You will go home from this Niwas far "richer" than you were when you arrived and with more Vidya." ---- Mindy Frost

• "I highly recommend Vidya Niwas in Dharamsala, India. From the moment we stepped over the threshold of this remarkable place, we felt at home and exceptionally well cared for. Five guest rooms feature five different cultures (Tibetan, Kangra, etc.). Each room has its own character. We've stayed in two of the rooms, and both were comfortable and homey. Vidya Niwas is set in one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. The Dhauladhar Mountain range rises in snow-capped peaks only a few miles away. Terraced wheat and rice fields grace the valley. You will see green parrots and hoopoes flitting through green trees and hear a stream at night. Arvind and Sangeeta Gurung, hosts at Vidya Niwas, are extremely knowledgeable about Dharamsala, northern India and the Himalayan region of Sikkim, Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. They believe that travel at its best expands a person's horizons spiritually. If you are interested in knowing more about Dharamsala and other regions of India and Asia, you couldn't find better people to advise you. Sangeeta is an amazing cook. Having eaten in restaurants in India for several months, she produces, hands down, the best food we've had here. Arvind makes a great chapati. Together, they are generous, compassionate members of this community, interested in projects which will benefit the region. I highly recommend Vidya Niwas as a peaceful and energizing place to rest and revitalize your body, mind and spirit." --- Eleanor Lincoln Morse (U.S.A)

The Food got better and better till I realised I was becoming a full time cook !!!

• "Peaceful and so kind and friendly! Lots of lovely animals and wonderful food! Looking forward to coming back one day." -- Deborah Giffin, Oxford England

• "Dear Arvind Uncle & Sangeeta Aunty, You have a beautiful home here in Dharamsala. I agree with Freyan- The food is amazing! Tubby is the sweetest dog! Thankyou and God bless you..." -- Shenaya Pochkhanawalla, Mumbai

• "Our host and hostess Arvind and Sangeeta were warm, welcoming and delightful after staying in their beautiful accomadations. We were spoiled and would not have stayed anywhere else in Dharamsala. We went to sleep each night beneath a wondrous star filled sky and awakened to glorious days and beautiful sunny mornings. Many thanks to you for making our stay so special...." --Lisa WiCarlo, LynnLaventhal Sumin Rawal

• MOUNTAIN GROUP- STUDENTS MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

• "Thanks for your generous hospitality. Hopefully I will make it back to this beautiful area in the near future. You are very lucky to live in such a beautiful state! Enjoy the mountains and stay safe..." -- Joel Anderson Halperin, Michigan

• "This being my first trip to India and to Dharamsala- you have made this a memory that I will never forget, thank you! You have made me feel at home which is amazing because I'm half way around the world from my real home. Thanks again for your hospitality. I look forward to seeing you again in the future!" -- Jackie Collens, Michigan

• "Thank you both for being such gracious, caring hosts. I will be back for a much longer stay in the near future. Namaste" -- Bob Evelsizoirrn,

We have guests from all over the world, one of our Japanese guests left us the following comment.

More Guest Reviews On Vidya Niwas,

• When we first arrived at Vidya Niwas we had been travelling a very long way by car from Amritsar. We arrived later than we had expected and were very tired. Both Sangeeta & Arvind were there to greet us with chai and snacks. They could not have been more welcoming. We said that we may need to change our plans because our friends were in McLeod Ganj proper and they said not to worry – if we had to we could change our plans with no consequence. But first they wanted us to see their Guest House and relax from our long day. After spending time in the busy towns of Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj we were SO HAPPY at the end of the day to come back to Vidya Niwas where we could go out on the roof and stare at the beautiful stars with the snow capped Himalayans in the background. We heard crickets and the little waterfall.

We never changed our hotel plans because we LOVED staying in The Golok Princess room at Vidya Niwas. I felt like I was home. It was so comfortable and it even had a beautiful Buddhist shrine in the room for meditation. Both Sangeeta & Arvind made us beautiful and delicious breakfasts and entertained us with their stories and information about Dharamsala and India. They were both such a wealth of information.

I will never forget this beautiful place and plan on coming back again to stay for a longer time. Sangeeta & Arvind are involved in so many wonderful local projects and have such great access to yoga, meditation, trekking and all activities that I will probably need at least a month next time. Thank you both for being so wonderful! --- Lynn, Mount Kisco, NY USA

• Vidya Niwas proved to be the absolute perfect choice for my friend and me on our unforgetable trip to Dharamsala. I highly recommend this hotel to anyone, especially those who can appreciate a quiet, picturesque escape from the bustling streets of Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj. Arvind and Sangeeta Gurung, the hotel's proprietors, and their daughter Naintara were as sincere, knowledgable, and accomodating of hosts as one could ask for. Arvind and Sangeeta know everything about the region and a quick chat with them in the morning will ensure you make the most of each day on your itinerary. And Naintara will tell you hilarious stories. Their home-cooked, reasonably-priced food is unbelievably delicious so eat as many meals as possible with them. The rooms are comfortable and full of character and the views are breath-taking. For all these reasons and many more, I have absolutely no doubts about staying at Vidya Niwas on my next trip to Dharamsala. Please do yourself a favor and go stay there too. --- Charles Roberts, Kansas City, MO

• Vidya Niwas could not have been a better place for me to stay. After some long days of traveling I was welcomed like a family member with a very nice room, very good food and above all amazing people. Dharamsala was one of the most peaceful and interesting places I have ever been and if I go back it is just as much so to see the family as to revisit the place. If you want a comfortable and peaceful stay along with attaining a vast knowledge of where you are then Vidya Niwas is the perfect place.--- Joey, Colorado,U.S.A

• I spent over one week at Vidya Niwas late last year after being "on the road" in Nepal and Tibet. It was a fantastic place to stay for an R&R.

The rooms are very comfortable, The people are fantastic, and the views are just great. One of the owners was also the chef and prepared all of my meals. Each was very good.

I had a "life changing" experience while there. They have a "pet bull" named Barney that came up on the porch every morning while I was having my morning coffee and wanted to be loved on and petted (Barney thought he was a puppy). Now I cannot eat beef as all I can see are Barney's big brown eyes.

What can I say? I really hope I can retun someday and take my family with me. I know they would love the place and the people. I strongly recommend Vidya Niwas to anyone going to the Dharamsala area of India. By the way, Dharamsala is the city nearest the home of the Tibetians and the Dahli Lama so it is also a wonderful destination.

Sincerely,Noah L. AnglinSan Jose, CA USA

• Vidya Niwas is an unusual bargain for anyone wishing to make the most of a trip to the Dharamsala region of Himachal Pradesh in northern India. The accomodations are at the head of a valley of terraced wheat and rice paddies, almost within touching distance of the Dhauladahr, the front range of the Himalaya, rising 5000 meters to snow capped peaks and ridges. Within a few kilometers are many centers of Tibetan culture: libraries, monasteries, temples, medical facilities, and the headquarters of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.Arvind and Sangeeta Gurung, the hosts, have a deep love for the culture and an in depth knowledge of the region. They both speak excellent English. They made us feel welcome immediately and had helpful suggestions for all of our needs. They have 50 years experience in the hotel and travel business between them, and it shows. I couldn't recommend them more highly. As an added bonus, they can arrange any kind of trek or travel either through email, phone, or on the spot at Vidya Niwas (House of Wisdom/Knowledge). If you want to eat at home, you are in luck. Sangeeta's cooking is better than you'll find in the local restaurants. India is very different and can be overwhelming. Arvind and Sangeeta's help has made our stay much more enjoyable and productive. Vidya Niwas is one of the best, if not the best, place we have found to stay anywhere. -- John, Peaks Island,Maine.

" Dear Arvind and Sangeeta,We have no words to express our feelings and joy we had staying in your place. The ambience is great and our host were wonderful. The food was exotic ! To sum up it was a soulful expereience and want to have it again and again...Dr. Aradhana, India.

." To add to Aradhana's comments, our decision to go for this homely environment instead of the usual Hotels, has been so very fulfilling. A special word for Sangeeta's cooking which is a treat to the taste buds( Chicken in Kasturi Methi..I'll surely savour). Truly a wholesome expereience...Dr Susmit Sekar, India, June, 2008.

." It was a comfortable stay in a homely environment and away from the hustle bustle of Dharamsala town. We enjoyed the location of the guest house, quiet, peaceful and surrounded by Nature. The home-cooked meals were delicious and the unique 'fruit salads' were a treat. Overall a very satisfying experience and with a little bit of improvement after the rains this paradise can even be more 'perfect' !...Gaurav & Dolly Khattar, 08th July, 2008.

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