When Mumma is a curious explorer, a hodophile—and a travel writer— there was no way that her bundle of joy was going to stay home for long! I couldn’t wait to introduce my five-month-old to the joys of travel and adventure. I was yearning to pack his bags and take him around. Travelling had been restricted throughout my pregnancy, and ever since the baby arrived, the thought of it had felt almost elusive. After five months, when I had learned to navigate the challenges of postpartum, I started thinking about a family getaway. However, a lot of things had changed since my last travel. Like before, husband and I couldn’t simply pack our bags and set off on a whim. We were parents now. We had an infant whose needs had to be taken care first. Thus, it was important to weigh in several options and destinations for his very first trip. I was inclined to begin with somewhere surrounded by greenery and nature, while my husband preferred a destination close to Delhi—somewhere we could drive, take breaks, and comfortably reach by road. Jim Corbett met both our likings. We definitely had a few hotels and resorts in mind, as we had had comfortable stays in the past but we wanted something different as safari and wildlife encounter was not on the agenda this time. Thus, the hotel had to be exclusive. Of all the options we explored, this one had several charms that made it stand apart. And the location was stunning, farthest from the din of the city. Under the aegis of ITC Hotels, one naturally expected a high standard of hospitality and service. It didn’t take us long to make the call—we were headed to Welcomhotel, Jim Corbett.
Road tripping from Faridabad to Corbett via Noida
We started late, around 9.30 a.m from Faridabad, picked my parents (the excited Nana Nani) from Noida and started for Jim Corbett. I would recommend starting early (unlike us) because with a baby we had to take several breaks and thus, we ended up reaching the property by 5 in the evening. Also, I must let you know that this one is located at one end of Corbett which you may have not seen before, an experience that is worth going for. Even after reaching Ramnagar station or city, it took us one and a half hours more via NH309 and Ranikhet Road. The last stretch required slow driving. In the last leg of the journey, I began to feel tired and the baby became cranky too. But thankfully, the property was only 30 minutes away. Once we arrived, the breathtaking views and the heartwarming welcome instantly washed away all our tiredness.
Our curious child loved his room at the Welcomhotel By ITC Hotels, Jim Corbett
The check-in was absolutely seamless and we made it to the high tea even before going to our rooms. It was raining and my parents loved the tea and kachoris. I couldn’t wait to go to the room, change and put my baby at ease. So far, we had been kept him away from social places. Thus, I was curious to see the wonder on his face as he experienced open spaces, nature, new people, hotel room, and a whole world beyond the familiar.
We had two spacious superior rooms to ourselves, and the moment we stepped inside, a sense of calm and relaxation greeted us. A walk to the balcony added to the comfort. The views were stunning. Since the property is only three years old, the rooms are new and state of the art. Also, there was enough space to arrange baby’s essentials. I must mention that the room had two washrooms, (one small and one big) so if you are planning to come with your nanny or Japa, this is the perfect setup that one can ask for. My baby immediately liked the room and looked around in awe. Large comfortable beds with crisp sheets and a good pillow are my favorite. I think he took a liking as well and settled down without any fuss on the bed. Soon, the balcony became our favorite spot after the deck area—the beautiful mountain and the meandering Kosi river views, set against the vibrant sky, seemed to engage him instantly. Every time he looked around, the twinkle in his eyes brought us immense joy.
The baby related gestures that made hospitality feel extraordinary
We had just entered the room when we saw that our sterilizer had already been unpacked for us. But was it really ours? No. The hotel had provided us with a sterilizer, a bath tub (the same that he uses at home) and a pack of baby essentials. Talk about thoughtful hospitality, nothing can beat this. We had not even called the hotel and asked for any of these, except letting them know that we were coming with a 5+ months old baby. But these gestures, the attention to detail and the execution made us feel incredibly cared for. I’ve always been a patron of ITC Hotels and there is a reason for it. They always leave me in awe of the sweet surprises but this time, the team of the property had added such thoughtful touches that I couldn’t be less grateful.
As a new father himself, the General Manager Mr. Mark Nicholas understands the needs of parents firsthand. His attentiveness comes from personal experience.When I thanked him, he shared that becoming a parent had taught him to notice and anticipate these little things. He shared that he has ensured that the property has enough sterilizers and baby bath tubs. A genuinely thoughtful touch for new parents, and one that clearly makes the stay more welcoming for families. No wonder I spotted so many guests with infants during my stay.
And now that I have visited two more hotels after this trip, I know why this means a lot.
The high tea and the impeccable views
The property itself is beautifully located, offering stunning views of the mountains and a very peaceful atmosphere but the restaurant’s open corners and the open deck make the most of the breathtaking views. Perched at an unbeatable vantage point, the property has a way of pleasing the heart. No doubt, nature is the best artist. And to savour the beauty here, one must slow down and enjoy the high tea.
Nestled away from the hustle and bustle, this beautiful property offers a serene escape into nature. And what better way to soak it all in than over a leisurely high tea, surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle sounds of the outdoors? While a daily high tea is organized for all the guests, one can also opt for a personal and curated high tea. It was organized for us and I am glad that my parents really enjoyed it. We especially loved lingering over high tea, enjoying delicious bites while taking in the peaceful surroundings.
A few more reasons that made our stay truly memorable
- This was not just my kiddo’s first trip, it was also a special trip for the first time grandparents. They had a lot of fun with Baby G. We tried leaving him with them for few hours. They were super happy to take care of him when I went for birdwatching, for photography or simply a walk around the property.
- The rooms are spacious and modern. They have four variations in the rooms category – Standard, Superior, Club and Suite Rooms. My Superior room was absolutely chic.
- The pool and activities area is unmissable. The property is made in steps and has many beautiful layout with lots of space including areas around the the pool surrounded by the greens. Activity rooms offer several engaging events throughput the day. One can read the list near the reception and pre book their seats. These facilities at the Welcomhotel, Jim Corbett will keep you busy if you’re not out of the hotel. My family and even the lil one had a great time in the pool even while it rained. A cozy gym, badminton, archery, etc. added to the fun.
- While my parents took care of the baby, husband and I enjoyed the couple spa. It really helped us to unwind.
- The golf cart facility was so much needed this time, both for my parents and for us, with the kiddo. It became easy to transport the pram everytime we made our way to the restaurant.
- Chef Soham Singh truly made our dining experience exceptional. He was also very warm and friendly and always checked for our preferences and made things available as per the ask. The beautifully curated Pahadi thali, bringing together an array of local flavours in one grand spread emerged as the true winner. This is called the much-loved Welcomsthalika, thoughtfully curated for food connoisseurs. f you’re staying at a Welcomhotel, always make time to savour the region’s finest flavours on one grand platter.
- A well-kempt hotel with an exceptional location is one thing, but it’s the people who make a stay memorable. The team here adds to the delightful experience. Every staff member was polite, gracious and went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable. Every interaction came with genuine warmth and care. The local ladies who maintained the hedges/gardens always greeted us with smiles as we walked passed them.
I must also give a big shoutout to the property for making worthy attempts for being sustainable and green. I could see the solar panels and I learnt that the property utilizes renewable solar power to meet its energy demands of approximately 60%.
