Escape to Paradise: Naya Gaun Eco Resort, Pokhara's Hidden Gem
Escape to Paradise: Naya Gaun Eco Resort, Pokhara - My Honest, Messy, and Absolutely Human Review (and Why You SHOULD Go!)
Okay, folks, buckle up. This isn’t your typical, sterile hotel review. This is the real deal, the unfiltered, slightly chaotic, and definitely enthusiastic account of my stay at Escape to Paradise: Naya Gaun Eco Resort in Pokhara. Forget the brochure fluff – I'm serving you the raw, the beautiful, and the slightly bumpy truth. And trust me, you'll want to book a room by the end.
First off, let's address the elephant in the room: Accessibility. This is a place nestled in the hills, so obviously, it's not going to be a breeze for everyone. The resort does list "Facilities for disabled guests," but I didn't personally experience this, so I can't give a detailed opinion. I'd recommend reaching out to the resort directly to discuss your specific needs. Seriously, don't be shy, they seemed genuinely helpful with any questions!
Now, the meat of the matter: The Vibe. "Eco Resort" is completely accurate. Think lush greenery, stunning views (more on that later!), and a general sense of calm that washes over you the second you arrive. Getting there is part of the adventure. The Accessibility question is important – think winding roads and a bit of a climb, but the views… oh, the views!
Let's Get Messy (and Dive into the Good Stuff!)
I'm a sucker for a good View. And this place DELIVERS. My room had a Window that opens - a seemingly small detail, but oh, the difference! You'd wake up to the sun kissing the Himalayas, breathing in that crisp, clean mountain air. That is worth the price of admission alone. Seriously. I spent a solid hour each morning just gazing out, sipping the complimentary Coffee/tea in restaurant. Bliss. Utter bliss.
Cleanliness and Safety (Because, Let's Be Real, We're Still Living in Interesting Times)
They get it. Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Rooms sanitized between stays. Check, check, and check. I felt comfortable, like they actually genuinely cared about my well-being. They also had Hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. Like, I ran out of excuses to not sanitize! Good job, team. They also have a Doctor/nurse on call and a First aid kit if anything.
Food, Glorious Food! (And My Near-Fatal Salad Adventure…)
The food situation at Escape to Paradise is a highlight. They offer a range of choices from Asian cuisine in restaurant to Western cuisine in restaurant. I indulged in both. They had an A la carte in restaurant menu and a Buffet in restaurant, The Restaurants offer an incredible variety. The breakfast at one point was "Buffet in restaurant", served with fresh local ingredients, and that view. My stomach is already growling thinking about it.
Now, the Salad in restaurant. This one… this needs its own paragraph. I love a good salad. I crave a good salad. And this one… well, it landed me in a bit of a food coma. Not in a bad way, mind you! Just… full. Like, "I can't possibly move for the next three hours" full. But it was delicious, fresh, and vibrant. I just need to learn to pace myself. #SaladProblems. The good thing, is that they offer Vegetarian restaurant, and many options for Alternative meal arrangement if you have any food restrictions.
What to DO (Or Not Do, If You Prefer!)
Okay, so you're there. What do you do? Well, this is where the "Escape" part comes in.
- Relax: This is a big one. Seriously, just breathe. There's a Pool with view – perfect for a lazy afternoon. Do yourself a favor and get a Massage . Seriously. Just do it. I felt like a new person! They also offer things like Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], for your pleasure and relaxation.
- Explore: Pokhara itself is an adventure! The resort offers Airport transfer, Taxi service and arranges transport to the city.
- Eat (Again!): Seriously, the food is amazing.
My Favourite Rambles
Now, I need to tell you about the staff. They were phenomenal. Seriously, the folks working at Escape to Paradise were some of the friendliest, most genuinely helpful people I've encountered. They have a Concierge and all the staff were attentive and warm. It's the little things, you know? Like when the waiter remembered my coffee order after the first day. That kind of attentiveness makes a HUGE difference.
Also, the Wi-Fi [free] was surprisingly good, even out in the more remote areas of the resort. Essential for bragging rights and keeping up with the world – as well as the Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!.
Rooms and Conveniences (The Nitty Gritty)
My room? Gorgeous. They offer lots of things, from a Private bathroom to a Coffee/tea maker. They had the usual suspects – Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, In-room safe box, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens which made the room so cozy and comfortable. The Daily housekeeping kept things spotless, which I really appreciated.
What's Missing (And What They Can Improve)
Honestly, I'm nitpicking here. But if I had to offer some constructive criticism:
- Maybe a few more signposts around the resort. I got a little lost (or a lot) at times, adding to the adventure but sometimes making me late for breakfast.
- While they have Car park [free of charge] and the Car park [on-site], , a few more charging stations for electric vehicles would be awesome.
The Verdict: Book It. NOW.
Look, I've stayed in a lot of hotels. And Escape to Paradise: Naya Gaun Eco Resort? It’s special. It's a place where you can truly disconnect, reconnect with nature, and just… be. It’s not perfect. It's got quirks. But that's part of its charm. You'll leave feeling relaxed, refreshed, and probably a little bit obsessed with the view.
My Absolutely Unsolicited, Completely Over-the-Top Recommendation:
Book a room with a view. Bring a book. And prepare to have your mind blown. Seriously.
The Super Duper, Can't-Miss Offer to Get You There:
(Because you deserve the paradise!)
Limited Time Offer: Book Now and Receive a FREE Welcome Drink on Arrival, a 20% Discount on a Spa Treatment, and a Complimentary Room Upgrade (based on availability!). PLUS! Get a free guided trek to a local waterfall!
But you need to do it NOW! This offer won't last!
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your average, perfectly-planned, Instagram-filtered travelogue. This is the real deal, my internal monologue unleashed on the unsuspecting beauty of Naya Gaun Eco Resort in Pokhara, Nepal. And trust me, it's going to be a bumpy, beautiful, slightly-off-kilter ride.
Naya Gaun: A Rambling, Reluctant Itinerary (Because We're Flying By the Seat of Our Pants, Obviously)
Day 1: Arrival - Bliss, Bungalows, and Butterfingers
- Morning (ish): Landed in Pokhara. The flight itself? Honestly, a bit hairy. Nepal's smaller planes? Let's just say they're not built for my inherent fear of heights. I spent most of the flight clenching my hands, silently pleading with the clouds to hold their breaths. But hey, we made it!
- Afternoon (ish): FINALLY made it up to Naya Gaun. The drive was winding, the roads, let's say, "character-building." The resort? Swoon. Seriously. Picture this: a cluster of adorable little bungalows nestled amongst terraced hills, overlooking the Annapurna range. It’s postcard-perfect… at least, it was until I nearly tripped over a rogue root while trying to take a photo. Elegance: minus one point for clumsy me.
- Afternoon: The welcome drink (ginger and lemon juice, something like that) was heavenly. I felt my travel-worn soul sigh with relief. The staff? Utterly lovely. Smiling faces, genuine warmth. I felt instantly at ease. We were shown to our bungalow, and, OH MY GOD, the view! I swear, I could have wept. We unpacked, which mostly involved me rolling my eyes at my partner's obsessive organizational habits. He had a perfectly structured system for his socks; I had a pile of crumpled clothes. Embrace the chaos!
- Evening: Dinner. Oh, the dinner. Authentic Nepali food – dal bhat (a lentil soup and rice dish) and momos (dumplings) was amazing. I'm pretty sure I ate enough to feed a small village. I probably over-ate. Again. I was completely mesmerized by the sounds of the jungle. I felt like I was a million miles away from everything. We went for a short walk after dinner, trying to spot some stars… my city eyes felt completely overwhelmed by the sheer volume of them. Amazing.
Day 2: Sunrise, Serendipity (and a Near-Disaster with a Yak)
This is where things started to get… interesting.
- Dawn: Woke up before dawn for the sunrise view. The climb up the hill? Brutal. My thighs were screaming, my lungs were burning, and I was pretty sure my heart was trying to escape my chest. But, my God, the sunrise! Golden light washing over the peaks. The Annapurnas glowing. Worth every single, sweat-drenched second. I wanted to burst into tears (the good kind).
- Morning: Breakfast was back at the resort! More of that delicious Nepalese food. I made friends with a particularly fluffy cat that kept trying to steal my scrambled eggs. I was trying to take a cool picture while I was feeding the cat, and I completely missed my mouth! The cat ended up with more food than I did. It was super cute.
- Late Morning: We were supposed to go on a gentle walk, but we met a yak on the way. Okay, maybe not a near-disaster, but definitely a moment. The yak was majestic and slightly intimidating. I, in my infinite wisdom, tried to get a selfie. Big mistake. I got a little too close, the yak gave me a look that clearly said, "Back off, city slicker," and I stumbled backward, nearly taking my partner with me. (He was laughing so hard, tears were streaming down his face!)
- Afternoon: Had a massage. Pure bliss. I think I actually dozed off and snored, which is mortifying but also probably the best thing ever after all the trekking.
- Evening: Back to that incredible dinner. I asked for recommendations. The server had a bunch of awesome recommendations. I tried things I never would have before - and I’m so glad I did. I stayed up late that night.
Day 3: Losing Myself to the Landscape (and My Camera Lens)
- All Day: Today was all about the walk again. I put all my faith into reaching the peak. It was the most beautiful view I’d ever seen. I’d never experienced anything like it. It was unreal. I put the camera down. I stopped checking emails. I just… was. I spent the entire day just walking. I'm completely lost in the beauty. I took a million pictures.
- Evening: The food at the resort was incredible, yet again. I told the server how much I loved every single meal. Every meal has been better than the last. After dinner, We sat outside, looking up at the stars, feeling incredibly grateful.
Day 4: Departure
- Morning: Farewell to the beautiful Naya Gaun. The goodbyes were more emotional than I expected. I felt like I was leaving family. I'm actually sad to leave. We drove back to Pokhara, filled with promises to return. I can't wait to come back.
- Afternoon: Back to the grind! But the experience has changed me.
Final Thoughts (or, Rambling Afterthoughts):
Naya Gaun. It wasn't just a trip; it was an experience. I laughed, I cried (mostly tears of joy, and fear… okay, maybe a little of the yak incident), pushed my limits, ate until I could barely move, and found a sense of peace I didn't know I was craving. This wasn't a perfect itinerary. Far from it. It was messy, and it was real. And it was absolutely, utterly magnificent.
Bonus Rambles:
- The Staff: Seriously, they were amazing. Always smiling, always helpful, somehow managing to make me feel like the most important person in the world.
- The Food: I'm pretty sure I gained five pounds, but it was totally worth it.
- The Landscape: Forget your Instagram filters – this place is the real deal.
- My Inner Critic: Shut up. Just shut up. You deserve this.
- The Yak: I'm still a little traumatized, but also… respect.
So, go to Naya Gaun. Get lost. Embrace the mess. And let yourself be completely, utterly, wonderfully human. You won't regret it.
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Escape to Paradise: Naya Gaun Eco Resort - Frequently Asked Questions (and my rambling thoughts!)
So, is Naya Gaun REALLY a hidden gem? Don't tell me it's another 'Instagram-worthy' disappointment!
What's the deal with the accommodation? Are we talking rustic charm or actual roughing it?
Food! Is the food good? Because hangry me is not a pretty sight...
What's there to do? Do I spend my whole time just chilling? (And is that a *bad* thing?)
Speaking of doing nothing, how's the Wi-Fi? Because, you know… life.
Any downsides I should be aware of? Because, nothing's PERFECT, right?
Is it expensive? How much should I budget?
Okay, you've convinced me! But is it right for *me*?
