Express Inn Nashik: Express Suite Experience
From the bustling hub of Mumbai, to the serene atmosphere of Pune and Nashik, it’s no wonder why these two cities are favourites for conferences and vacationers looking to escape the hustle and bustle. And with their varied array of captivating attractions, it’s the perfect place to get out and explore. This Preferred Group resort may be a bit of a hike from the city centre, but its nearness to the majestic Buddha Vihar, the illustrious Dadasaheb Phalke Memorial, and the captivating ancient Pandavleni Caves make it the obvious selection for corporate and leisure guests alike.
On a sunny April morning, I arrived at Nashik at the crack of dawn, when the dewy morning breeze was still cool and refreshing. Soon, I was on my way in the Express Inn SUV, driving along the foggy Nashik Freeway, admiring the breathtaking hill views. By 5.30, the eastern sky began to fill with a majestic landscape. Just then, I arrived at the resort, where I had a scheduled Express Suite check-in for noon. However, since I had arrived earlier, the hotel graciously granted me access to a standard room to get ready.
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Express Suite, Express Inn
At the break of dawn, I was presented with the opportunity to join the buffet breakfast at Aster, the all-day dining restaurant in the resort. Although the buffet menu was not the most impressive, it offered a decent selection of Indian and continental dishes. By midday, the helpful staff had moved my luggage from the standard room to the spacious 535 sqft Express Suite. This suite was a studio-style room, encompassing both the bedroom and living space in one. Despite the relative compactness, the Express Suite boasted magnificent views of the ancient Pandavleni Caves through its french windows.
The balcony may be off-limits, but you can still take in the stunning views from the comfort of your window panes. And when you’re done marveling at the sights, you can indulge in the many in-room amenities like a foot massager, a walk-in closet, mini-fridge, tea/coffee facilities, a business suit hanger and a digital safe. And if that weren’t enough, you can also relax in the king-size bed with its plush bedding, or take a soak in the en suite washroom’s small bathtub featuring Kimirica organic toiletries. All in all, it’s a staycation you won’t soon forget!
Lunch at Aster
As I sat down to enjoy my lunch at Aster, I couldn’t help but admire the bold and daring color choices that adorned the restaurant, from the fiery reds to the dark, mysterious blacks. The large windows to the right of the entrance bathed the room in a pleasant, warm light, accentuating the cozy teak furniture that was thoughtfully arranged for the utmost comfort of its guests.
The buffet was a let-down with its mundane Indian dishes, but I still had to see what all the fuss was about when Express Inn was hosting its 24-karat gold festival. They offered me a taste of the Kala Jaam and, while it was delightful, I wasn’t overly impressed with the menu. It was nothing more than regular fare that had been draped in gold Varakh and, honestly, the presentation was quite lackluster.
Foot Reflexology at O2 Spa
In the evening, I was graciously invited to attend the Sunday Sundowner party sponsored by the Rhythm Winery. To my pleasant surprise, the hotel management had offered me a 30-minute foot reflexology session at their on-site spa – O2 spa. I can confidently say that the masseur worked her magic through my legs with her traditional techniques and, by the end of the session, my feet felt as light as a feather! I’m certain that this would be the perfect spot to unwind and relax after a bustling day.
Sunday Sundowner, Express Inn
The Sunday sundowner hosted by Express Inn had an unexpected turn of events. I had expected Nashik’s younger and more vibrant crowd to arrive, but instead, the majority of attendees seemed to be the in-house guests. The sundowner quickly descended into a kitty party with the ladies sitting in a separate circle and the men enjoying drinks in another.
The only individuals dancing to the tunes of the local DJ were toddlers and children of various ages. At the request of my photographer, Pritesh Khare, the bartender put on a wobbly bottle flipping show – providing a brief glimmer of amusement. When I returned to my suite after a mere thirty minutes, I was surprised to find a pint of Rhythm Winery sitting on my table – a pleasant surprise indeed!
Dinner at Le Bar & Salon
I was invited to Express Inn’s neon-lit Le Bar & Salon for dinner, and boy, was I in for a surprise! This on-site restaurant (sports bar) is popular in Nashik for its finger food and alcoholic beverages – but the hospitality wasn’t quite up to the mark.
The staff treated me with an icy cold demeanor until they found out I was from the media. (It makes me wonder what regular guests have to go through!) After a wait time of 45 minutes, two drinks, a sizzler and a fried rice were served. The fried rice was a decent preparation, but the sizzler meat was a mess – it was so overcooked, I could neither break it with my fork and knife, nor swallow it. By far, the worst sizzler I’ve ever tasted!
When I returned to my room later that evening, I was delighted to find an unexpected surprise waiting for me. By the side of my bed lay a box of chocolates, tastefully wrapped in a ‘goodnight’ package. As far as I was concerned, these chocolates were the tastiest thing I had eaten all day!
My Takeaway
Express Suite: The Suite is comfortable and has all the modern amenities you need for a comfortable stay. Besides, the suite comes with a fantastic hill view.
On-site Restaurants: Both Aster and Le Bar & Salon were an immense disappointment so, it’s better you don’t eat at the property. There are many finer restaurants in the neighbourhood offering delicious food at economical rates.
O2 Spa: The on-site spa offers some marvellous treatments and has a very polite staff.
Other Services: The outdoor pool of Express Inn is a great place to take a dip or lounge.
My stay at Express Inn over the weekend left a bitter taste in my mouth. It was evident that in this modern world of female empowerment and self-reliance, the hotel was still adhering to outdated gender roles. Needless to say, I won’t be giving Express Inn a second chance and would definitely not recommend it to female travellers!
Its grand and gorgeous, thanks for sharing with so many details.