I’m a mountain person, and there is no other way to describe my preference for a travel destination. I enjoy the beauty of the snow peaked mountains, serenity of the valley, the cool weather of the hills, the picturesque view which keeps changing at every circuitous curve of the road and the breathtaking sunrise, than anything else. I like escaping to mountains to avoid city life and to find solace, that’s why if you’ve been keeping a tab on me you must have noticed that I have travelled to Dehradun - Mussoorie thrice in the past 10 months. TBH, there’s just something about the place that keeps calling me!
Last month was awfully busy and exasperating, adding to that was the tolling weather of Lucknow, and all that was needed was a short getaway to a cooler haven to recharge my exhausted soul. So, when I got the opportunity to visit Dehradun once again, and write a stay review for HOTEL PACIFIC, I did not spare a second thought before saying yes!
Pacific hotels, a 4 star certified hotel chain by the ministry of tourism, launched their first hotel in Dehradun about 14 years back, and it has been a favourite amongst the localities as well as travelers since day one. Situated at a prime location - just 2 kms from the Railway Station, 6 kms from the Bus stand, 20 kms from then Airport and very near from Rajpur Road, is also at close proximity to popular tourist places.
This being my first visit to Hotel Pacific Dehradun, I was quite excited to experience a 2 days stay with them. The trip was a 3 days and 2 nights, where I chose to stay at Hotel Pacific's Mussoorie property for 1 day (you can read about it as you scroll down). Coming back to their Dehradun property, it looks as grand as I imagined when I had first looked at the pictures. Luxurious interiors, stellar lighting and a combination of modern and classic architecture. Also, the royal welcome you receive as you enter the hotel shows the authenticity of the cultural era that the staff still follows, and starting from the valet, to the reception, to the stewards, everybody greets you warmly which cannot go unnoticeable.
I must mention, the lobby at Hotel Pacific is one of the most decorated lobbies of all other hotels, and it consists of Buddha statues and flowers all around giving a positive and pleasant vibe!
Lobby - Reception
One of the floors in the hotel
Hotel Pacific has a wide range of rooms to choose from - Deluxe, Super Deluxe, Executive, Royal Suite and Presidential Suite. I checked-in a royal suite on day 1, and after a worn-out flight, availing room service for breakfast looked like a smart move and it also gave me enough time to get ready. The room service staff was amiable and responsive, and I experienced the superb comfort that the hotel offers in consort with the myriad of facilities and easy connectivity within the area making it the perfect choice for people like me looking for a pleasure stay.
The room was divided in two sections - living room, with a small kitchen, a washroom, dinning table and a sofa set near the window where you can enjoy your morning tea and watch the beautiful mountains; and the second section being the bedroom with a king size bed set and an attached washroom with a luxurious bath tub and other amenities fixed! It definitely became my home for 2 days and I had the best time of my life chilling with my best friend; dancing, eating, discussing our relationships and much more away from the work hustle bustle, unloading ourselves from stress and experiencing only delight!
Royal Suite - Bedroom
Living Room
Breakfast
Gymnasium
Banquet Hall
Prism - Coffee Shop
Post lunch, the hotel staff introduced me to the property, which features a cozy coffee shop, a gymnasium, a commodious business center and offers banquet and conference facilities for up to 500-800 people, which apparently is said to be the biggest banquet in the entire Dehradun city. Additionally, the hotel is coming up with their new parking lot which will be able to accommodate upto 150 cars. The property also has 24-hour power backup, safety deposit box, currency exchange, laundry, parking, and free Wi-Fi. It also has the in-house Pirates Bar serves a selection of local and imported spirits in a soothing ambience. Besides, it also consists of a multi-cuisine restaurant which has delicacies like Indian, Continental, Chinese and Tandoori on the menu.
It was a pleasure trying some Italian and Mexican recipes and filming a video for the hotel with their sous chef before I sat down for dinner and tasted a widespread of dishes that included : Broccoli Soup, Tex Mex Pasta, Grilled Vegetable Tortilla, Dal Nuggets, Chocolate Brownie Sundae.
Meal the 'Paradise Restaurant' (at Hotel Pacific)
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After a gossip-filled night spent at Hotel Pacific Dehradun, agenda for day 2 was to review the Mussoorie property. The to and fro journey for 1 and a half hours was a little adventure in itself. As I started ascending to the 'queen of hills' as the city is addressed, the temperature started to fall and the city dweller in me was awestruck by the beautiful scenery as we took one turn after the other! In the course of the drive, we stopped for some time to admire the mesmerizing panoramic beauty that the Doon valley is, and the pristine Mussoorie Lake. The emerald water in the green backdrop of the forest terrain created a resplendent picture and the weather was favorable with picturesque waterfalls located on the way.
PS : If this sounds winsome, then you must witness the celestial city lights of the Doon valley. In the night, it appears to be layered strands of sparkling stones resting against the dark mountain silhouette and if given a chance I would stand there and watch the scenery all night!
Morning and Evening view from Maggi Point (Dehradun to Mussoorie Road)
Mussoorie Lake
Hotel Pacific Mussoorie, situated at Camel's Back - the area that restores the greenery of a reserve forest with animals, and a cemetery on the other side is built at a peace location, away from the hustle bustle of the Mussoorie city, but still close to it. Just 5 kms from the Mall Road and is accessible to all tourist locations within minutes. It's one of the favorite stay options for corporates and judges; a scenic destination for loners, writers, and peace lovers who opt for solitude often!
Spread over 50 acres of area, with 30 rooms as of now and planning to expand with 20 more cozy and beautiful rooms, Hotel Pacific Mussoorie is definitely a big crazy property that also has a huge banquet for parties and seminars, and also includes all other facilities like the Doon property of the luxurious hotel chain.
Exteriors
Lobby - Reception
Banquet Hall
We checked-in our presidential suite and rested for a while admiring the lush green conifer-covered Himalayas, the reserve forest (we also saw langoors hopping from one tree onto the other) and sipping a hot cup of coffee while the clouds floated wistfully in front of us and the cool winds brushing which became the highlights of the property.
Presidential Suite - divided into sections (Bedroom + Living Room)
Hotel Pacific takes pride in their food, and I would agree that be it Dehradun or Mussoorie, they serve the best Indian and Continental cuisines to their guests. We opted for lunch in our room and it consisted of an array of Indian dishes. The entire meal was extravagant, that included - Assorted Veggie Salad, Sprouted Salad, Dal Makhni, Paneer Bemisal, Mushroom Do Pyaza, Assorted Breads, Peas Pulao (main course), Papad and Masala Chaas (sides) and Kesri Kheer (dessert).
Lunch scenes with Hera (my best friend)
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If you're looking for a quick getaway for a valley-hill experience with your family or friends, or searching for a cool wedding destination, Hotel Pacific Dehradun or Mussoorie should be your first choice. People who wish to plan their stay at luxury hotels can trust Pacific Hotels without any qualms. I can certify that the lofty hills of Mussoorie, the voluble waterfalls, lush forest and the captivating Doon valley, will simply take your breath away!
Huge thanks to Mr. Prashant Nagalia (the owner) and his entire team from the hotel for an amazing hospitality and a super comfortable stay. Looking forward to visit Hotel Pacific soon again!
Photography by : Hera Fatima Naqvi
~xoxo~
