**Puri's Paradise Found: D2 Holiday Inn's Unforgettable Getaway**
**Puri's Paradise Found: D2 Holiday Inn's Unforgettable Getaway**
Puri's Paradise Found: D2 Holiday Inn's Unforgettable Getaway - A Review That Actually Tells It Like It Is (and Maybe Overthinks It a Little)
Okay, so Puri's Paradise Found: D2 Holiday Inn… the name itself is making grand promises, right? "Paradise Found." Big shoes to fill. And honestly? I, a jaded traveler with a penchant for complaining, walked in with skepticism. But after a few days, I’m… well, let’s just say my feelings are complicated. Buckle up, because this isn't your typical, sterile hotel review.
First Impressions & Accessibility (Because It Matters!)
Right off the bat, accessibility gets a thumbs up (which is HUGE for me). Wheelchair accessible throughout most areas, which is a massive win. They've got the elevator and ramps sorted, and that’s already a good start. They do have "Facilities for disabled guests," which is essential, but honestly, I'd like to see some more specifics on that. Like, what’s the deal with grab bars in the bathroom? Still, a solid foundation.
The exterior corridor was a little… uninspiring, but really, who spends all day gawking at the hallways?
Internet, Glorious Internet (Or, the Lack Thereof)
Okay, let's talk internet. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Praise be! And it mostly works (more on that later). They also have Internet access – LAN if you're a dinosaur who likes hardwiring their laptop. Internet services are on offer, but they're not exactly groundbreaking (printing, etc. Nothing special.) Wi-Fi in public areas, surprisingly, was pretty good too.
But here’s a little nugget of truth: during peak hours, the Wi-Fi in my room felt like it was powered by a particularly sluggish hamster. I'd attempt to upload a photo to Instagram and… well, let's just say it took longer than my last existential crisis. Was this “Paradise Found?” Or “Paradise… Lagging?” I opted to use my phone's hotspot to finish my work.
Rooms: Clean & Mostly Comfortable, Plus the Inevitable Quirks
My room? Ah, yes. Non-smoking, which is essential. Air conditioning – thankfully functional. Air conditioning in public areas – same. I can't tell, I didn't notice any pets allowed but they might allow it, if in doubt, contact the hotel. We'd been out on a long day tour, and the first thing I wanted was a cold shower. The shower was good. The towels were fluffy. I noticed these extras such as an extra long bed, and slippers (which is a nice, little, thoughtful touch, even if I personally don't use them).
I love blackout curtains (I need my beauty sleep) and they delivered. Complimentary tea and coffee/tea maker, essential for staving off a morning grump. The refrigerator kept my bottled water chilled. The safe box felt, well, safe (I didn't test its breaking point!). The daily housekeeping was efficient.
But… there was, how shall we say, a slight… issue with the TV. The satellite/cable channels were mostly fine, but I swear, trying to find a decent movie was like navigating a minefield of infomercials and obscure religious channels. On-demand movies? Forget about it. (Okay, maybe I actually enjoyed the infomercials in the end. They were… educational?) And that's when I found a great way to use the desk and laptop workspace.
Cleanliness & Safety – In the Age of… Well, You Know
Okay, this is where D2 Holiday Inn actually shines. They're on top of their game with Cleanliness and safety. Anti-viral cleaning products? Check. Daily disinfection in common areas? Double check. Hand sanitizer everywhere you turn. Hygiene certification? Yep. Individually-wrapped food options – smart move. Physical distancing of at least 1 meter – enforced where possible. Rooms sanitized between stays? Absolutely. Staff trained in safety protocol? Definitely. They're really doing their best, and it's reassuring. They are taking things seriously.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (Mostly)
The restaurants are plentiful. Let's start with the Breakfast [buffet]. It's Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, both! This is a bit of a mixed bag. The coffee/tea in restaurant was decent, and the salad in restaurant was fresh. I also tried the Soup in restaurant. The Happy hour was a delight. The Poolside bar was a nice touch – but I'd have liked more vegan options. They have Asian cuisine in restaurant. They have International cuisine in restaurant.
A la carte in restaurant felt… a little pricey. One night, I went for the desserts in restaurant. I tried the Tiramisu. I wanted a taste of heaven. It tasted like… disappointment. A little bit of a let down. Overall, the Dining, drinking, and snacking experience was okay.
Ways to Relax & Those Little Extras
Swimming pool [outdoor]? Yes! Beautiful, with a Pool with view – absolutely stunning. The Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna and Steamroom were a welcome after a day of sightseeing. They also have a Fitness center (which I, sadly, didn’t utilize… I blame the desserts). The Massage was divine.
The hotel also offers a Babysitting service and Kids facilities for family travellers. They're Family/child friendly.
Services and Conveniences – The Things That Make Life Easier
The concierge was helpful, the doorman friendly. Daily housekeeping was efficient. The dry cleaning and laundry service came in handy. The currency exchange was a welcome service. They even have Cash withdrawal, if you're old school. Doctor/nurse on call. The gift/souvenir shop was good for last-minute presents. You can have Breakfast in room or Breakfast takeaway service. They have Room service [24-hour].
Things to Do: Getting Out & About
This depends entirely on your agenda. They have Airport transfer, Car park [free of charge], Taxi service. There are a few Shrine on the property, if you're interested in those things. They have a Terrace you can go to. Honestly, you're in a great location for exploring the area.
The Quirky Bits & My Overall Verdict
Okay, the D2 Holiday Inn, Puri. It's not perfect. The internet can be temperamental. The desserts can be disappointing. The interior could use a little… pizzazz.
But, and this is a big BUT, the staff is incredibly helpful and friendly. The cleanliness is top-notch. The pool is gorgeous. The location is fantastic. And the overall vibe is… surprisingly relaxing.
Would I go back? Yep. I'd go back, mostly for the pool and the feeling of safety and that is what you need.
SEO Keywords & Snippet Bait (Because, Let's Be Real, That's Why You're Here)
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Snippet Bait: "Looking for a relaxing getaway in Puri that prioritizes cleanliness and accessibility? The D2 Holiday Inn offers a beautiful pool, friendly service, and a surprisingly chill atmosphere. Though the internet can be a little spotty, the pros far outweigh the cons. Read my honest review to see if this is Paradise Found for you!"
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Kease Narjis B-4 Luxury Gold AZ23 Riyadh: The Saudi Arabian Mansion You NEED to See!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into the glorious, chaotic mess that is a trip to Hotel D2 Holiday Inn in Puri, India. Prepare yourselves, for this isn't your sterile, robotic itinerary; this is life, alright? This IS a story and a trip schedule combined:
Trip: Puri Pilgrimage (and Pretending to Be Relaxed)
Hotel: D2 Holiday Inn, Puri (Dear God, let the AC actually work this time…)
Days: 5 (or, you know, until my sanity cracks)
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Ocean of Chaos
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Wake up, bleary-eyed, in Mumbai. The pre-trip jitters have kicked in. Did I pack enough sunscreen? Did I book the right flight? Is my passport even where it should be? (Spoiler: It was.) Grab a quick coffee and toast, I am going to need it.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Flight from Mumbai to Bhubaneswar. Airports are always a whirlwind of questionable air quality and far too many people. Try to avoid eye contact with the crying baby. Fail.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Land in Bhubaneswar, and the sweat begins. The humidity hits you like a warm, damp hug. Grab a pre-booked taxi (thank GOD for that), and the driver promises a smooth ride to Puri. He also promises a “very good price” for his services, which, of course, means I'm likely going to be ripped off. But hey, I’m on vacation, right?
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM: The drive. Oh, the drive. It's a long one, two and a half hours. The scenery is beautiful at times, but full of potholes and what feels like constant honking. Get lost in thought, and enjoy my first and only thought about the trip, “This is going to be an adventure”.
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM: Check-in at D2 Holiday Inn! Pray the room is bug-free. First impressions are decent. The lobby is grand, the staff are friendly… But is the AC working? I'm a nervous wreck, and I desperately need to feel the icy embrace of climate control. The room? Surprisingly decent! View of the ocean? Yes, please!
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Settle into room, unpack (halfheartedly), and contemplate the meaning of life while staring at the Bay of Bengal. Then change my mind when I find out the hotel has a pool. Must. Swim.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Pool Time! The pool is a godsend. Splash around. Pretend to be a dolphin. Forget all my worries (for a little bit). This is what vacation is all about, people.
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. The food is… interesting. I'm pretty sure they put cumin in everything, but hey, I'm an adventurous eater…ish. Order way too much, because, well, vacation.
9:00 PM onward: Crash. Hard. Sleep. No dreams. Finally, some peace.
Day 2: Temples, Tears, and Tsunami Warnings (Maybe)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Wake up with a crick in my neck and a pang of existential dread. What day is it? Did I miss something important? Coffee. STAT.
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Visit the Jagannath Temple. This is the thing to do in Puri, so, despite the crowds, the heat, and the general chaos, I go. It's overwhelming. The sheer scale of it, the history, the sheer number of people… It's breathtaking and slightly terrifying all at once. I might have accidentally bumped into a cow. Apologies to the sacred bovine.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. Back at the hotel. Need to recuperate from the temple experience. Eat a huge plate of something I can barely identify, but it's delicious.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Beach time! Or at least, attempt beach time. The water's rough. The waves are relentless. The sun is brutal. I get sand everywhere. But for a little while, I just sit there staring at the sea, and the world feels ok.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: The dreaded "shopping." Need to find some souvenirs. Get relentlessly hassled by vendors. Buy something I probably don't need. Regret it later. The cycle continues.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Back to the hotel. Relax for a bit. Start wondering what the weather will be like in the next few days.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner at a local restaurant outside the hotel. The food here is even better. Probably because it’s less cumin-y. Meet some locals, learn some things. Feel a connection to the place. Start thinking this whole "travel" thing is actually pretty cool… until the mosquitos arrive.
9:00 PM onward: Watching the local news on TV. See a tsunami warning flash across the screen. Panic. Research tsunami safety procedures. Realize it's probably a false alarm. Go to bed with a lingering sense of dread.
Day 3: The Search for Serenity (Spoiler: It Doesn't Exist)
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Wake up. Assess tsunami situation. Still alive! Good. Breakfast at the hotel. Eat way too much. Regret it immediately.
9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Visit the Raghurajpur artisan village. This is supposed to be a haven of peace and beauty. Reality? It's amazing! Beautiful art, talented people, and the complete disappearance of my credit card. It's both heartbreaking and inspiring. The artisans are incredibly skilled, and the art is stunning. I buy a beautiful Pattachitra painting (which I will, inevitably, later hang slightly crooked).
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch. Eat something I can barely identify, but it tastes great.
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Beach time, again! But this time, I'm prepared. Sunscreen, a hat, and a bottle of water are essential. I try to relax, to just be. But a rogue wave nearly drowns me. So, yeah, the serenity thing? Not happening.
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Spa time! At the hotel. Finally. A massage. Finally, some peace. I fall asleep. Wake up drooling and incredibly relaxed. The best part of the day.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: Sunset watching. Try to appreciate the beauty of the moment. Fail because a swarm of mosquitos descends. Swat relentlessly. Curse the mosquitos, the humidity, and the fact that I forgot the bug spray.
8:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner at the hotel restaurant. Eat way too much. Complain about my lack of self-control. Order dessert.
9:00 PM onward: Staring at the stars. Contemplating whether I can pull off buying a house here and becoming a hermit. Decide against it. Fall asleep dreaming of quiet, mosquito-free evenings.
Day 4: Temple Fatigue and Coconut Water
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Wake up feeling slightly jaded. The "travel glow" is fading. Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Another temple. This one’s called the Gundicha Temple. It’s supposed to be less hectic than the Jagannath Temple. It is, but I've officially hit temple fatigue.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch. Discover a place that serves amazing coconut water. Drink five in rapid succession. Feel a renewed sense of energy.
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Beach time. Build a sandcastle. Watch it get washed away by the waves. Embrace the impermanence of everything. Pretend I know what I am talking about.
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM: A little more shopping. Buy something I'll use five times and later resent that I don't have room for it.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Relax back at the hotel. Read a book. Daydream. Start feeling a little sad that the trip is ending.
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM: Dinner at a really
Puri's Paradise Found: D2 Holiday Inn - The Unfiltered FAQs (Because Let's Be Real)
Okay, so... is this place REALLY paradise? Or is that just marketing fluff?
Look, let's get one thing straight: REAL paradise involves no screaming kids at 7 AM. However… and this is a BIG however... D2 Holiday Inn in Puri comes pretty darn close. It isn't perfect. Far from it. I mean, my first impression was the lobby. Beautiful, marble, everything. Then I saw the AC vent and thought, *'Oh, is this going to be one of those hotels with a constant, low hum?'* (It was partially, but you get used to it). So paradise? Maybe not. But definitely a seriously good break from regular life. Just… manage your expectations about the little ones. They seem to love the pool, and unfortunately, they *also* seem to love screaming.
The food! Tell me about the food! Is it all just bland buffet fare?
Okay, the food. This is where things get interesting. Yes, there's a buffet. Yes, sometimes it *feels* like the same five dishes rotated every day. But… and this is key… their *a la carte* options? GOLD. Specifically, the seafood. I'm a sucker for fresh seafood, and the grilled fish? *Chef's kiss*. I went back *three* times. Okay, maybe four. Don't judge me. And the breakfast! The South Indian options were superb. The waffles, though… a bit underwhelming. Stick to the dosa, trust me. And the staff's genuinely enthusiastic, which really makes a difference. They really did try their best, always with a smile.
What's the deal with the beach? Is it as dreamy as the pictures suggest?
Alright, the beach. This is where things get… complicated. The pictures? Gorgeous. The reality? Well… Puri beach is known for its, shall we say, lively atmosphere. Lots of people. Lots of vendors. I'm not one for crowds. So, my initial reaction was a bit of a "Whoa, this is…busy!" But. the sand is soft, and the waves are crashing beautifully. I actually found a quiet spot one morning while avoiding some aggressive hawkers selling trinkets. The sunrise was phenomenal, though, I won't lie. Just: be prepared for a bit of a sensory overload. Embrace it. Or hide in your room with a book – your choice!
Is the pool area any good? I'm mostly there for the relaxation factor.
The pool... ah, the pool. This one's a mixed bag, actually. Gorgeous. Beautifully designed. But… it's a magnet for families, which, as I mentioned earlier, can mean noise. If you're a solo traveler or are just looking for quiet time, find poolside time at off peak hours. I tried a few times. I had a relaxing afternoon, despite the children's delightful shrieking from 10 am to 6 pm. I managed a few blissful hours. They really could have more umbrellas. Seriously. But the water's clean, the sunbeds are comfy *when you can snag one* (another competitive sport!), and the bar is conveniently close. So yes, good... but manage expectations.
How's the service at D2 Holiday Inn? Are the staff friendly?
The service? Honestly, the staff were lovely. Like, genuinely lovely. They work *hard*. They're polite, attentive, and always trying to help. There was this one guy, I think his name was Rohan, who always remembered my coffee order. And he was always smiling, even when the place was chaos. There were a few minor hiccups-- things missing from the room, a slight wait for food to arrive. But overall, they were fantastic. They really made an effort to make your stay pleasant. Considering everything that goes on in a hotel, especially in high season, they were great.
Is there anything to do outside the hotel? Any excursions worth it?
Yes! Absolutely. Okay, I have to say it: you absolutely HAVE to visit the Jagannath Temple. It's a must. The energy is palpable. It's an experience unlike anything else I've had, but be warned: the queues can be long, and there are rules about what you can take inside (no phones, for example). Also, hiring a guide is well worth it. They can explain the history and the significance of everything--it's just so impressive. Puri is a place of great significance, so if you, you should go there. Outside the temple, I'd also recommend exploring the local markets--but be prepared to haggle!
Okay, so you went multiple times. Did you *really* enjoy it? The unfiltered truth, please!
Alright, the truth? I'm going back *again* next year. Yes, it has its flaws. Yes, it's not perfect. But… I loved it. I needed that break. I enjoyed the food, the views, the fact that someone else cleaned my room after I made a mess of it. It's a good base camp for exploring, the staff are wonderful in their own way.. It's one of those places that, despite the imperfections, you find yourself looking forward to going back to, as soon as you leave. If you're looking for a luxurious, ultra-exclusive experience, maybe look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a comfortable, convenient, and genuinely enjoyable getaway with a bit of chaos, then yes, I highly recommend D2 Holiday Inn, Puri. Just pack some earplugs. Seriously. Those shrieking children…
Any tips for getting the most out of your stay?
Okay, some pro tips:
- Book a sea-facing room! Seriously. Worth every penny. The view is glorious, especially at sunrise.
- Get up early for the beach. Beat the crowds and enjoy the peace. Plus, the light is amazing for photos.
- Tip the staff! They work incredibly hard and genuinely appreciate it.
- Embrace the chaos! Puri can be a bit… intense. Go with the flow, and you'll have a much better time. Accept the kids, and embrace the noise.
- Don't be afraid to explore! Go outside the hotel and experience the local culture.
- Bring your own snacks. Because sometimes you need a secret stash of biscuits.
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