this happened in our recent trip to srinagar, me and my wife are always in the habit of taking prior bookings at hotel where ever we head for. even if its a short trip where i need to just get refreshed for few hours before any business meeting and then catch the evening flight. never ever we find our selves at the mercy of local taxi wala showing us the place to check-in.

so while going to srinagar. we called up JKTDC people to know about, what best the city could offer at a negotiable price, they did suggest two names, Jehangir and Shangrila- A class hotels by their grade. we called up Jehangir and found they were too strict about the tariff  and wont take care of us barring hotel accomodation, a cool...chilled attitude they had (may be cause of climates) but in Hospitality Industry the opposites to this rule- warm and friendly! Shangrila was our second option we called them and to our pleasant surprise the reception was extra courteous and warm...and when they knew we are coming to the city for the first time, they extended a big helping hand and came forward with the option of arranging the total tour for us! andha kya maange do aaankh? they did quote their rates including 3 night 2 day stay, 24x7 cab facility, sight seeing, shikara ride, and a visit to shopping destinations too!

we shared their rates with JKTDC people and to our surprise they were bowled over by the rates we got because it was much lower than what JKTDC had offered us! happy ear to ear we confirmed the booking and were recieved by Shangrila Staffer at the Airport. Once checking-in there was another surprise awaiting us. the entire hotel all five floors and 80 rooms were empty and we were the first guests of the season!! ofcourse we had neighbors as the ground floor is leased by SBI for their resident and visiting staffs working on higher designations. we came to know every month SBI high ranked staffer from one or the other part of India arrive for holiday here.

kind of amused but happy to get an entire hotel for us (ha ha) we checked 8 to 10 rooms and finally settled for a first floor room which they prepared to our taste (do u get this kind of opportunity any where else... i suppose not!)

and the rest was a living delight, breakfast on time, our cab awaiting us at sharp 9 and hot steaming coffee followed by sumptuous dinner. we enjoyed living alone...the entire floor dedicated to us with no human face around- apart the hotel staff- and that to on our wish, we got the complete attention of hotel staff or rather undivided attention i would say . indeed it was living like a previleged couple.

on our last day of stay we got to meet another group from Mumbai checking in the morning, but we were more than happy. it was our last day and who cares! we had have our share of soulstirring peace as well as great fun!