Madhya Pradesh Tourist Development Corporation Hotels

                     Madhya Pradesh Tourist Development Corporation  Hotels

MP state tourist Development Corporation runs a number of hotels in various places in MP. We had an opportunity to stay in some of them during our 18 day long trip to Madhya Pradesh. These hotels are reasonable, good location and a very good staff to look after you. Check in time in all the hotels is at 1200 hrs and check out also at the same time You can book these hotels after registration on line also and carry the confirmation of payment slip with you. Complimentary breakfast is standard in all hotels except where all meals are provided as in case of Tawa Resorts and the hotels in Pench and Kanha national parks. In the breakfast two items besides tea and coffee is served and the quantity fills your stomach. In most of the cases we had to skip lunch as the breakfast became too heavy and it is especially useful when you are out for the whole day visiting places and returning back in the evening only. All the hotels have ample secure parking spaces for the guests. We had booked all our hotels at the Hotel Janpath office of the MPTDC in New Delhi, where they gave an extra discount of 10% over and above the online which resulted in substantial saving. 

Narmada  Resorts  Omkareshwar.

The hotel is located on the hill top with reasonable accommodation and an excellent view of the Narmada  River,  Omkareswar Dam and the island of Omkareshwar.  Being located on the hill top one has to walk down a steep descent to reach the hanging bridge to cross Narmada to reach the island and the shiv temple.  Alternatively you can take the longer 1.5 km road via the bus stand to reach the bridge. You can also take a boat to cross over and a boat ride in Narmada to visit all the spots. You can also take a boat to take you around the island where at two places you have to get down and join the boat about 50 meters ahead due to strong current from the turbines on Kaveri River. The dam is built on the meeting point of Kaveri and Narmada River. You can also go to the dam and see the reservoir. The breakfast next day was good standard Indian and really filled our stomach. They have enough parking too have a secure parking for about 20 cars. A new building has also come up to increase the capacity of the hotel.

Narmada Resorts at Maheshwar.

The hotel is located on the banks of the Narmada river and if you opt for swiss  tents  then  besides staying on the banks you also get a beautiful view of the river and the ghats . You can take the steps to go down to the river and sit there to watch the sunrise and sun set and the beautiful view of the river. It is a place from where you can see both sitting at the same place. Both were really beautiful and mesmerizing. Right in front of you in the middle of a river is a small temple. You can also take a motor boat ride to go to fort build by Ahilyabai and get down there to see the fort and resume your cruise. Take the boat to the temple and back again to the ghats of the resort. You can also opt for breakfast by the ghats in the morning by extra payment and prior information. The road from the state highway to the resort was about 2 km and was bad but was being repaired. The worst experience we had was that of loud music being played by some students from Mumbai till well past midnight in the party and the manager on duty did not heed to our request of not playing loud music after 2200 hrs.  It was the only hotel of MPTDC where we were served only on dish for breakfast as compared to two at all other hotels.  It was the only hotel in MP tourism where we had problems and an uncooperative staff. The GM Marketing of MPSTDC has promised to sort it out and put a stop to it after our complaint. In Our journey this was the only hotel where we were disappointed.

Tawa Resorts at Tawa.

Located on the banks of the Tawa reservoir and the Dam and approachable by a 22 km of jungle road the resort was a treat to the eyes. You can opt for cottages which are away from the reservoir or the suits which overlook the reservoir. We opted for the cottages. This was one of the hotels, where all meals are included in the tariff and rightly so as there is nothing nearby except for the Tawa town of the dam personnel and some small shops. We reached late at about 1530 hrs due to the bad road and traffic while crossing Itarasi but were pleasantly surprised when we were told that they can give us lunch after 15 minutes. The view from the garden and step was simply beautiful and the sunrise in the morning divine. The resort was very good and worth staying for a few days if one wants a peaceful life with nature and to pursue his hobby or passion. The staff made it even better by their welcome attitude. We also took a boat ride around the reservoir and the islands. You can also take the cruise from the resort to Madai, the official entry point to Satpura national park and start of jungle safari. The breakfast next day morning was good and heavy. The best thing about this hotel besides location is the staff and their excellent attitude and are always ready to help you. They even helped us to get the permission to cross the dam and enter Satpura national park next day. The wi-fi was free and helped us to upload pictures of resort and reservoir on the social website and check mails.  In the other two hotels before this, we were told that wi-fi was available only in the lobby at a cost 0f Rs.120/= per day.  Our advice, do give it a try if you are visiting MP.

Hotel Amaltas at Panchmarhi.

The hotel was located about 2 km from the bus stand. Panchmarhi is in the buffer zone of the Satpura national park; hence no new structure can come up without approval from the wild life board. Therefore,  old colonial buildings of the colonial era are being done up and converted to some hotels. It also has the famous Army education Core training center. The hotel was being repaired and developed but the welcome and enthusiastic attitude of the staff never let one felt that the property is still under development. Be careful of the notorious monkeys while in Panchmarhi and keep your car’s windows rolled up and door locked and keep your food items away from their gaze. The food was simple but very well cooked and we enjoyed the dinner as well as the next day breakfast. The staff was helpful in directing us to various places and even gave a map and informing us as to what all places we can simply walk down. Next day we had a guide from the forest department, kind courtesy of the DFO to take us and show all the places around. As most of the places are in the national park area hence you have to pay Rs.600/= as entry fee to the forest department beside the vehicle hire charges. All National parks in MP have an entry fee to enter the national park area, which one can pay online but has to pay for the safari and guide charges separately. All around Panchmarhi  is the national forest and the drive or walk to the spots will take one through beautiful forest area. The falls require lot of walking and climbing up and down so have a good pair of shoes, water bottle and plenty of time.

Tourist Village Shivpuri.

The tourist village hotel of the MP tourist department is located slightly away from the city and you have to cross the city to reach it but if you are coming from Jhansi then it is at a very small diversion near the Madhav National Park. The hotel is located on the banks of the lake and has a boat club also, where one can take a boat ride in the lake. The rooms are good and overlook the lake. The property is well located and very well maintained and the staff was simply superb. The lake borders the Madhav national park and you can have a visit to the park in your vehicle along with a guide and after paying the entry fee and guide fee. The entrance to the park is very near the hotel. The hotel is worth staying for a few days to enjoy the park, lake and the monuments of Shivpuri.