juSTa Rasa Retreat & Spa (Closest Luxury Resort to Neelkanth Temple)

Facts first. The route to the resort is horrible. The last 12 kms are not only bumpy, but the road is uneven and has multiple potholes. Wish there was another way to avoid this torture not only to the car but also to onself. Also, the state charges a fee of Rs. 40 to enter this area. Next, the resort claims to be a riverside resort, but sadly, the river is all dried up in this region, so it's basically just rocks on the river basin. However, the resort is a beautifully made property. The rooms interiors are quite pleasing to the eye, along with the lighting in the resort premises. Also, probably the only good thing about it. The car parking is situated outside the resort.Next, the horrific experience, which one definitely does not expect from a 5-star resort. The check in was a smooth experience, though. For most of the restaurant issues, I will be referring to their manager. The booking mentions a "complimentary buffet breakfast", but, there is none. Rather, there is no lunch or dinner buffet as well. Guests who opt for a dinner buffet have their meals converted to A-la carte as well. Because according to their rules, when the hotel has less than 50% occupancy, no buffet is served, only A-la carte. The menu provided both in the rooms and in the restaurant mentions a "round the clock" menu on the last page, but, yes, you guessed it right, there is none. Because the restaurant closes at 10:30 pm. Why mention services which the resort does not provide in the first place? Why the misleading information? We went to the restaurant for dinner, and placed an order for a non vegetarian starter. It was served to us after 40 minutes (this is when the restaurant had guests only on 4 tables, including us), and without any salt. I mentioned it to the server, who said "let me ask the chef". We returned the dish; it took another 15 minutes to rectify (still something amiss) and when re-served, the quantity was much less than what we had sent back. I asked the server, and he said "the chef tasted some of it". At this point, I am speechless. Rather than rectifying their fault and ideally, sending a better, corrected portion, what we got was quite the opposite. The main course just about saved them.Just. I asked to speak to the head chef, to give my review. To which i was told that the head chef is on leave today, so the chef next in line came over the table. Now I don't know where this person hails from, but I am from Delhi, and it has restaurants serving some of the best Chicken Malai Tikka (unlike what we got here). So when we gave our sincere opinion regarding this particular dish, I think he was unable to handle the criticism. We were given excuses such as "maybe we didn't like the taste of the elaichi or the cashews", that "since a lot of places in Rishikesh don't serve non vegetarian food and it is very difficult to procure, sometimes the taste might not be upto the mark". To be honest, this is where I started to lose it. Were they trying to justify themselves? Did they mean to tell me that it's acceptable a 5-star hotel chef cannot provide food up to the mark?When we enquired about the breakfast buffet, and as expected, were informed there is none, I questioned them the same, why put out misleading information on various third party apps? To which, trust me, I received the best reply till date: "Because we had made an on the spot booking (i.e. on the same day as the stay), that service would not be provided to us. That was it. Then we went to speak with the manager on duty (at the reception). Told him our issues and asked for an urgent resolution, but he said "he'd have to speak with his seniors". And was told a while later that we can meet them next day morning at 10:30 am. This is their "hospitality". I think now we've practically lost interest in what we came here for. The worst resort experience and a completely ruined stay, all thanks to this "5-star rated property".

The Stay was great. It is located riverside and has quite a narrow road but the views are beautiful. The food and service was great. They also upgraded our room to Premium Room and the pool was an added bonus to the stay. The property is really clean and hygienic and the vibes are great. The rooms are designed in hut shapes and are comfortable and luxurious. The washroom is well equipped and spacious. We enjoyed our stay overall and would definitely recommend the property !

We planned for our daughter birthday trip n it was such a pleasant experience for us n specially our 2 year daughter enjoyed a lot there N each n every staff member is very cooperative n eager to make you feel comfortable n enjoy each n every bit of your stay .... Specially restaurant staff is very very nice will recommend this resort for further family staycation 😊

Very bad terrible, how you people advertising for under construction properties, without knowing what a status of property, surrounded by dry river somewhere little dirty water , with horrible labour basti adjoining , with dirty pool water , food quantity and quality poor . Nothing adventure so far , rough rood , just sit in your moden type room full day .