The Gateway Hotel Gir Forest
Posted on October 2, 2019 by Ghoomophiro
Can you imagine luxury in a forest? But when it comes to Taj, luxury is what you get even in the most expected of places. Right across the Hiran River, near the dense Gir Forest, this leisure resort is the best in the area. Live wild without compromising on comfort, stay at The Gateway Hotel, Gir.
How to Reach?
Complete Address: Near Sinh Sadan, Junagadh, Sasan Gir, Sasan Gir, India, 362135
By Train: The nearest railway station is Somnath which is 45 km away.
By Air: Diu is the nearest airport and it is 110 km away.
By Road: It has road connectivity with nearby cities of Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and others.
Check-in & Check out
Check-in from 2:00 PM
Check-out till 12:00 PM
Early check-in and late check-out options available but it would be chargeable.
Best time to visit :
The best time to visit the Gateway resort is during summers. Monsoon is the off-season so you might get a discount on your booking but summers are when you will be able to spot lions in the Gir Forest. Winters are also quite pleasant here.
About The Gateway Resort:
Gir Forest was always on our travelling bucket list and when we finally visited, Th Gateway Resort looked like the best accommodation. Situated right near the forest, it had a calm and serene atmosphere. Moreover, we trust the comfort and hospitality of Taj. The Gateway Resort is located 60 km away from the city centre, in Sasan Gir. It is a premium resort with the best location, overlooking a rivulet and close to the forest. But the convenient location is the only highlight of the place as we felt after our stay that this property of Taj is quite ignored and below the usual standards. There are many facilities available as per the brochure or their website but when you visit, the situation is quite contrary.
Types of Rooms:
There are five different types of rooms available and 28 rooms in total on the entire property. There is Standard Room Garden View Queen Bed, Superior Room With Sit-out River View Double Bed, Superior Room With Sit-out River View Twin Bed, Executive Suite With Sit-out River View Double Bed, Deluxe Suite With Sit-out River View Double Bed.
We chose to stay in the Deluxe room with a Rive view. There was a balcony where we could sit out and enjoy the view of the lush green jungles. The rooms were well-furnished and had all amenities, including free Wi-fi which one wouldn’t expect near a jungle. The air-conditioning was not as strong as it should have been but perhaps the humid atmosphere of the place could somehow be responsible for it. The TV screen in our room remained turned off because we were too busy exploring everything else. The room also had a tea and coffee maker, along with iron and an ironing board. The room had a veranda and was quite spacious and clean. We stayed in the resort for the weekend and the riverside location is just a short drive away from the Safari Park. We did have 24×7 room service but it wasn’t as quick or efficient as we wanted it to be.
What does the hotel have to offer?
There are many facilities available like the fitness center that only has two treadmills, outdoor pool which is always short on towels or drinking water, spa with the masseuse being too hard on your muscles and a garden which has to be the best of all places to unwind. When we chose Taj we expected top-notch facilities but perhaps because of their lack of staff or the resort being in such remote area, it was a good accommodation but did not match to the standards of Taj. It was a homely atmosphere but not as luxurious. We spotted some leopards right outside the hotel and it was exciting to see them so close. The garden area has sitting space as well and we spent a lot of our time there. The hotel will help you book a safari in the Gir forest and bird-watching activities as well. Nature lovers would love to spend time on this property and relax in the lap of nature. The wild trees and the exotic feel of the Gir forests will render anyone mesmerized.
What to eat?
The hotel has a restaurant that serves diverse cuisines. The international dishes were not up to the mark and lacked the distinct exotic taste but the Indian dishes were delicious. They had customized their menu to accommodate local dishes and we did try some Gujarati food. The taste was delicious and it was served with a homely feel. Considering that it was a multi-cuisine restaurant, we expected even the international dishes to be of a high standard but were disappointed with what was served to us.
What needs to improve?
The facilities at the spa need to improve because the staff does not have proper training. Some of the areas were not as clean as needed to be. The fabric of the sofa and other sitting spaces was worn down. The staff is helpful when asked to do something but is unwilling to take initiative in offering hospitality. They also need to work a little harder on their international cuisines.
What did we like?
When we got ready for the morning Safari, as early as 6 am, we found coffee and tea waiting for us when we reached the lobby. The staff was courteous and though we were bummed about not getting a welcome drink after our long drive to the resort, this made up for it. Everything was hygienic, clean and well-maintained. The ambiance and the aura of the resort were rustic and serene.
Places to visit Nearby:
Sasan Gir: Go on a Safari and spot wild Asiatic Lions. Bird-watching is another popular activity in the forest. Gir National Park is huge in area and covers 1,412 sq km. As soon as you enter the forest, you are hit by the instant brown shade of everything. If you visit Gir Forest, you won’t be able to walk out without spotting a lion.
Kankai Mata Temple: 50 km from Sasan Gir, there is a shrine dedicated to Kankai Mata who is believed to be the benefactor of the shepherds and nomads.
Mahabat Maqbara and Jammi Mosque: It is an exquisite architecture built during the Mughal rule, located in Junagadh. It is situated near the Junagadh Railway station.
Overall Verdict:
Our visit to the Gir Forest was fantastic. It was all that we expected and more. Being so close to wildlife is always enthralling and we got some beautiful pictures of the area as well. And as for The Gateway Resort, it is a good accommodation with all necessary facilities. One can have a nice and comfortable stay there but do not book it expecting Taj level hospitality and facilities. More attention should be paid to this beautiful property to improve its standards. The location is its prime advantage but it needs to provide much better facilities to attract more tourists. The hotel staff should inform the people staying there about offers, safaris and what special facilities they offer. They respond when you ask at the reception but it is something they should take initiative about.
