Escape to Paradise: Ela Ecoland's Untouched Nature Retreat in India
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into Ela Ecoland. Forget stuffy travel guides; this is going to be a raw, unfiltered, and hopefully hilarious look at this "Untouched Nature Retreat" in India. Prepare for ramblings, opinions, and the occasional existential crisis. Let's do this!
Ela Ecoland Review: Escape to Paradise…or at least a really good Instagram post?
Right, so Ela Ecoland. The name alone conjures visions of pristine waterfalls, silent forests, and… well, let's see if the reality lives up.
Accessibility:
Okay, accessibility. This is important, and I'll be honest, I didn't specifically check for this. But, based on the descriptions, it sounds like it could be tricky for wheelchairs. "Untouched nature" and "accessible" don't always go hand-in-hand, ya know? Hope they've got some proper ramps and stuff. Otherwise, you might be getting a workout you didn't sign up for. They do have an elevator, which is a good start, but definitely best to confirm specific needs directly. This is a big, big PLEASE contact them directly on this, and do not rely solely on this review for any decision!
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: No idea! Again, ask them. This is a blindspot, a big one.
Wheelchair Accessible: See above. BE SURE TO DOUBLE CHECK.
Internet & Tech Stuff (Because We're All Addicted):
- Internet Access: Yes! But, the real question is how good? We're talking "untouched nature," so prepare for potential connectivity struggles.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: YES! Bless! Important for those Instagram updates, and, you know, work… which is a dirty word on vacation, right?
- Internet [LAN]: Also available. Fancy! For the super-techy among us.
- Internet Services: Hopefully, they mean "responsive staff" and not "slow internet."
- Wi-Fi in Public Areas: Crucial. For those of us who like to secretly check work emails while "communing with nature."
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: The Heart of the Matter
Okay, this is where it gets interesting. "Untouched nature" screams "adventure," right? But let's see if they’ve got the chill-out-factor as well.
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]: HOLY MOLY. Okay, they are SERIOUS about the relaxation game! I am ALL IN for a pool with a view. Thinking of a day spent getting buff, getting my body scrub, and then relaxing in the sauna… Bliss.
- Things to Do: It likely revolves around the nature. Think hiking, exploring, maybe even a bit of yoga at sunrise. Hoping for some authentic cultural experiences mixed in!
- For the Kids: Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They are family-friendly. This is good news if you have little ones (or are easily annoyed by loud ones).
Cleanliness and Safety: Gotta Stay Alive!
Post-pandemic, this is HUGE. Let's see if they've got their act together.
- Anti-viral cleaning products, Breakfast in room, Breakfast takeaway service, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Shared stationery removed, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment: Okay, this is pretty darn comprehensive. Sounds like they're taking things seriously. Room sanitization opt-out? I love that. I'm a germaphobe and I have a lot of anxiety, so this is AMAZING!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (or the Lounging)
Food is life, right? Let's see what Ela Ecoland offers to refuel after all that "untouched nature" exposure.
- A la carte in restaurant, Alternative meal arrangement, Asian breakfast, Asian cuisine in restaurant, Bar, Bottle of water, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour], Salad in restaurant, Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: Woah, everything! Holy moly. A buffet in the morning, a restaurant in the afternoon, poolside bar… My stomach is already growling!
Services and Conveniences: The Perks
- Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Quite a list! Everything you would expect from a full service hotel, and some you wouldn't. Contactless check-in/out? Yes, please! Daily housekeeping? Essential.
For the Kids: (More Rambling, Sorry!)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: They seem to have the kids covered, which is essential for a truly relaxing getaway for parents.
Access, Security & Safety:
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property, Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private], Couple's room, Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Pets allowed unavailable, Proposal spot, Room decorations, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: All the things to make you feel safe and sound. 24-hour security is always a win.
Getting Around: (AKA, How Do I Even Get There?)
- Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: Car park is free, airport transfer is available, plus other options if you don't drive. Nice!
Available in All Rooms: The Home Away From Home Stuff:
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: Well, that's quite literally EVERYTHING! You will be living in the lap of luxury. I see a mini-bar, so I will be spending all my time there!
My Overall Vibe: Is Ela Ecoland Worth It?
Honestly? Based on this initial impression, YES. It's got the potential to be a truly special place. The "untouched nature" promises a disconnect from the everyday grind, but the amenities (pool, spa, diverse dining) offer a luxurious way to reconnect with yourself. The focus on cleanliness and safety is reassuring, and the extensive list of services suggests they're aiming to make this an easy, relaxing stay.
Here's How My Stay Would Probably Go:
- Day 1: Arrive, gasp at the scenery. Check into room, immediately order room service. Explore the grounds, take a deep breath, go to the pool. Realize I forgot to pack a book, curse my packing skills.
- Day 2: Massage, sauna, eat everything on the breakfast buffet. Get slightly lost on a hike, but find a gorgeous waterfall. Take a million photos. Update Instagram.
- Day 3: Try something adventurous! Jungle trekking? Zip-lining? Probably chicken out and spend the day at the spa. Regret not being adventurous.
- Day 4: Vow to be more adventurous. Fail. Eat more good food. Feel zen.
- Departure: Secretly start planning my
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this Ela Ecoland itinerary is gonna be less "perfectly curated travel blogger" and more "me rambling with bug bites and a slightly questionable stomach." This is gonna be real.
Ela Ecoland Nature Retreat: Mayhem & Magic (Probably Mostly Mayhem)
Day 1: Arrival! (Pray for Arrival)
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: The Great Delhi Airport Shuffle. Ugh. Delhi. The airport alone is enough to induce an existential crisis. The air is thick with diesel fumes and the scent of a thousand different curries. Finding my gate felt like navigating a particularly aggressive game of whack-a-mole. I swear I saw a guy riding a moped through the terminal. Anyway, eventually, miracle of miracles, I actually boarded the flight to Goa. Success! (So far.)
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Flight to Goa (and the existential dread of airplane food revisited…). Let's be honest, airplane food is the culinary equivalent of a hostage situation. But hey, at least the flight attendants were lovely, even when I accidentally spilled my disgusting tomato juice all over my own lap. Good thing I packed an extra pair of pants.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Landing & Transfer to Ela Ecoland! Goa! Okay, the air already smells better. Palm trees! And finally the promised car is waiting. The drive? Let's just say the driver had a very enthusiastic approach to corners. We hit a cow. It was fine. I think. The whole experience left me questioning my life choices.
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Check-in & Initial Impressio
- Arriving at Ela, I felt a sense of calm washed over me, and I was amazed by the beautiful nature that surrounded me, and I couldn't believe how good nature could feel. The staff was very welcoming, and they gave a welcome drink which was the best drink I had in my life. I was taken to my cottage.
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Lunch at the Ela Restaurant (fingers crossed it's not the source of any future regrets)
- I am starving! The menu looks incredible, all organic, locally sourced, the real deal. I ordered the veggie Thali which looked like the best thing I've ever seen. I swear every single bite felt like a little explosion of flavor. I didn't even realize I ate all of it until the waiter asked if I wanted anything else. I had another one, and it was still delicious.
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Exploring (and Avoiding the Leech Zone)
- Okay, time to get my bearings. The guide showed me around. It's a jungle. A beautiful, vibrant, teeming-with-life jungle. I'm talking monkeys swinging, exotic birds squawking, and a disconcerting number of insects, the size of my thumb. The guide warned me about leeches. I'm basically wearing mosquito repellent as cologne now. (I saw a leech today. Just…ew.)
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Yoga at Sunset (attempting to be zen, failing gloriously)
- "Breathe in… breathe out…" Yeah, right. My brain is still buzzing from the flight, the bumpy ride, the leech situation. I'm pretty sure I'm the most un-zen person on the planet. But the sunset was pretty amazing, so I tried. I mostly strained to keep my balance.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Relax time, but still aware of the bugs
- I was just relaxing, and I was aware of the bugs, they are everywhere, but then a lizard fell from the roof. I screamed, and the staff came, nothing happened, I just laughed about it, good memories.
Day 2: The Jungle Awakens (and Possibly Bites Me)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Bird Watching
- The birds were so beautiful. I saw so many kind of birds. I would say I enjoyed that.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast.
- I was not expecting to have such a good breakfast. The food was so good and the service was amazing.
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: The Waterfall Hike (maybe I'll conquer my fear of heights)
- Right, so this is the activity. Apparently, there's a waterfall deep in the jungle, and it's spectacular. Sounds…challenging. I'm not a hiker. I'm more of a "prone-on-a-beach-with-a-book" kind of person. The hike started out fine, a little sweaty, a little buggy, but manageable. Then we hit the "rocky incline" section. My legs screamed. My lungs burned. I questioned every life choice that led me to this moment. The rocks were slippery. I slipped. I nearly fell. I clung to a tree root for dear life, muttering obscenities under my breath. But… then I saw it. The waterfall. And it was spectacular. Worth (almost) every agonizing step.
- The Waterfall Experience: A Deep Dive (Literally)
- Seriously though, the waterfall was pure magic. We swam in the water and it was so clear and cold, I felt every bad thing that I had in my life just dissolved away.
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch.
- Lunch was great, and I didn't expect it to be.
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM: Cooking Class
- After the waterfall I didn't think I was gonna be able to do anything else, but then the cooking class started, and it was amazing. I learned how to cook so many curries that I didn't even imagine. The chef was a great teacher, and I made many friends in the cooking class.
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Free time
- I could relax and just think of the trip, how amazing it was.
Day 3: Departure (and Hopefully, a Slightly Less Traumatic Airport Experience)
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Early Morning Calm
- I decided to wake up early and just watch the sun and feel the nature.
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Breakfast
- Great breakfast.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Final Activities
- I decided to go on a walk throughout the resort with all the people that I have met and all the staff of the hotel. I have made amazing friends, and the staff members are the best people I've met.
12:00 PM: Check-out & Departure
- I said goodbye with tears, the resort was the best place I've ever been and I'll surely come back.
1:00 PM - onwards: The Long Journey Home
- Ugh. Airport again. Wish me luck. May the odds be ever in my favor (of actually getting on the right flight). I'll probably need a vacation from the vacation after all of this.
Important Considerations (because this is real life):
- Bugs: They're everywhere. Pack all the bug spray. And maybe a hazmat suit.
- Food: The food is delicious! Be adventurous, be prepared for spices. And maybe pack some anti-diarrheal meds. Just in case.
- Pacing: This schedule is ambitious. I'll probably need extra nap breaks. And maybe a therapy session.
- Emotional Rollercoaster: Expect to have a few moments of pure bliss, followed by a few moments of panicked self-doubt. Embrace it. This is travel, baby!
Okay, wish me luck. Send prayers (and maybe some bug spray). I'm off to explore (and potentially get eaten by leeches)! Wish me luck!
Germany's Hotel Boulevard: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Okay, so, Ela Ecoland… Is it *actually* as gorgeous as the photos? Because let’s be real, Instagram lies.
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because the answer? YES. And then some. The photos are pretty, yeah, but they don’t *breathe*. They don't convey the absolute QUIET. The kind of quiet that makes you question every city-induced nervous tick you've ever had. They don't show you the way the sun hits the leaves and makes them shimmer like emeralds. Okay, maybe I'm getting carried away. But seriously, I went in expecting… well, let's just say I've been burned by marketing before. This place? It’s the real deal. Maybe even *more* real. Like, the crickets at night? They’re a symphony, not a chirping annoyance. I'm still obsessed with that!
What's the deal with the 'eco' part? Is it like, *actually* eco-friendly, or just greenwashing? Because, let's be honest, I'm a card-carrying cynic.
Okay, I'll admit it, I went in expecting to find a plastic water bottle on the trail and roll my eyes. But Ela Ecoland actually *walks the walk*. See, they're serious about this whole "leave no trace" thing. The staff? Phenomenal. They tell you exactly what they're doing to conserve water, reduce waste, and support the local community. They grow their own food, use solar power, and even the construction materials are meticulously chosen to minimize impact. And the staff? They're actually passionate about it. They seem genuinely happy to be there preserving the environment. It’s refreshing. Now, were things *perfect*? Absolutely not. I saw a stray plastic wrapper get away from someone once. But they jumped on it and made sure the wind didn't take it. It's like... a genuine effort. They aren’t just doing it for the gram; it's baked into the whole experience.
What kind of accommodation is it? Are we talking glamping, backpacking, or something in between? Because I need my creature comforts (mostly a decent shower).
Alright, alright, let's talk comfort. Ela Ecoland isn't about roughing it. It's more like… elevated camping? Picture this: You have a beautiful, well-appointed cottage or tent, depending on what you book. The beds are actually comfortable, which is a MAJOR win. The showers? Hot water, good pressure, and actual *soap*! The cottages felt like living in a little jungle palace too. There's no TV, and frankly, you won't miss it. The view from my balcony was way better than any Netflix binge. Seriously, I spent hours just staring at the trees and thinking. The worst part? They are really great! But I have something I always do in an amazing hotel, I check the trash and the bathroom, you know, just to see if the cleaners have done a good job. And, of course, they did a fantastic job. So, I had nothing bad to say about it.
What is there to *do* at this place? Seriously, am I going to be bored on my own?
Bored? Honey, no. Unless you *want* to be. Which, honestly, sometimes is exactly what you need. But if you're feeling adventurous: hiking, nature walks, birdwatching hikes - and the guides are super cool, and they actually *know* stuff! You can actually take a lesson from them if you want. There's also yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic treatments. But seriously, even if you're a total sloth like me, you'll be fine. Just chilling on the veranda, reading a book, and listening to the sounds of the jungle is a perfectly legitimate activity. I spent like, three hours one day just watching monkeys swing through the trees. Best. Day. Ever. They had a great menu, too. So you can enjoy every moment! But if you want to be bored? Then don't go to Ela Ecoland!
Talk to me about the food. Is it all rabbit food and sad salads? Or is there deliciousness involved?
Okay, the food! This is a big one for me. I'm a foodie, and I have high standards. And Ela Ecoland? They *delivered*. Seriously, the food was mostly delicious, and almost entirely locally sourced. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and there was a huge variety of options. They have Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-free options, which is a plus! The breakfast buffet was legendary. I'm not even kidding. I think I ate my weight in fresh fruit one morning. Dinner was amazing, local dishes with incredible flavors. One of the most unique treats were the fresh and juicy Mangoes. I'm still dreaming about those. Did I have a bad meal? Nope. Did I get excited every time I was told where our food was coming from? Yes! The only problem? Overeating is incredibly easy. I returned home a few pounds heavier... worth it!
I'm a worrier. What about safety? Is it safe there?
I'm a worrier too, so I get it. Yes, it's safe. They have security, and I felt completely secure during your stay. The staff is lovely and so helpful. The area is known for its beauty, but not for any crime or other types of dangers. I did encounter some wildlife (hello, monkeys!), but it's more of a "wow, look at that!" sort of thing, not a "run for your life!" situation. But I'll admit, the fact that I couldn't get cell service for the entire stay made me nervous, you know, what if something actually *did* happen? But it also forced me to disconnect. That was actually a good thing!
Okay, spill. What was the *worst* part? Every place has a downside.
Hmm… the worst part? Now, that's a tough one. Okay, I really struggled with the lack of cell service. I like to be connected, and it was hard to fully disconnect! And the drive *in*… it's a bit of a bumpy ride. And I kept getting lost, but at the end of the day, I got there! I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere, and it's a LONG drive from the city. But once you're there, it’s worth it… Honestly, if I *had* to nitpick, maybe the occasional mosquito, but really, that's life, right? Look, nothing is perfect. But the good *far* outweighed the bad. And the "bad" was pretty minor anyway.
So, would you go back? Would you *recommend* this place?
Would I go back? In a heartbeat. In fact, I'm already plotting my return. Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY. If you're looking for a truly immersive experience, a chance to reconnect with nature, and a little bit of soul-soothing,Rooms And Vibes
