Nainital’s Mall Road is usually crowded, especially during the holiday season, and the hotels in the main area can be quite expensive. If you’re looking for a more affordable stay near Nainital, Golden Oak by The Lake Hill in Khurpatal is worth considering.
What makes it stand out is the view from the property. You can step out onto the balcony and enjoy the Lake and mountain views with a cup of tea. But are the rooms comfortable? Is the hotel clean? And are the views and overall stay actually worth the price?
This review covers the rooms, lake and mountain views, cleanliness, food, location, privacy, and overall experience to help you decide whether this hotel is a good choice for your Nainital itinerary.
Location and Accessibility
Golden Oak by The Lake Hill is located in Khurpatal, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India.
Additionally, Golden Oak by The Lake Hill Review is about 10 km from the main Nainital area.
You can reach the hotel in about 30 minutes by vehicle from Mall Road, Nainital, depending on traffic and road conditions.
The location is a little farther from Mall Road, but the extra drive feels worth it if you want lake and mountain views from your room and balcony.
Moreover, Golden Oak by The Lake Hill Review keeps you away from the crowd and noise of main tourist area.
The hotel works especially well for couples who prefer a quieter stay and don’t mind traveling a little farther for better views and a more relaxed setting.
Check-in Experience
The check-in experience was a bit mixed.
The hotel lists 1 PM as the check-in time. But there was no one at the reception. We also couldn’t find a bellhop or another staff member to contact.
The number provided with the booking receipt redirected us to the receptionist at another property. They asked us to wait but couldn’t connect us with the hotel staff.
Eventually, MakeMyTrip support helped us connect with the hotel staff. The staff explained that they had gone for lunch and would be there soon.
However, since the hotel sets 1 PM as the check-in time, we expected someone to be available at the reception. The wait time was a bit long, especially after traveling with luggage.
Once the staff arrived, they handled the check-in smoothly and helped us with everything we needed.
The receptionist scanned our ID proofs, and the process was completed within minutes, without asking extra questions.
The hotel also has a lift to take heavy bags and suitcases easily to your room.
Parking Space
Free parking is available for guests traveling with their own vehicle.
The hotel has its own parking space inside the property.
The parking area has enough space for guests, so you won’t need to move your vehicle repeatedly during your stay.
There is a lift beside the parking area to take your luggage from the vehicle straight to your room.
Room Review
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was clean and well-organized. The bed sheets looked fresh, and the hotel provided a thick white blanket that kept us warm during the cold Nainital weather.
The room was clean, tidy, and well-organized. The bed sheets were fresh, and a thick white blanket was provided to keep guests warm during Nainital’s cold weather.
I would give it 100/10 for their comfortable king-sized beds. They were so comfortable that you could feel sleepy the moment you lay down after traveling all day.
The hotel offers multiple room types to choose from based on your preferences and budget:
- Non-AC Simple Bliss Room
- AC Simple Bliss Room
- Bliss Lake-Facing With Balcony Room
- Bliss Mountain-Facing With Balcony Room
- Premium Bliss Room
Pro Tip: Opt for the lake-facing or mountain-facing rooms with balconies to enjoy the views without even leaving your room.
Other Amenities
Mini Fridge: The room had a mini fridge where you could store snacks or sweets picked up from shops while exploring Nainital. The room also had a mini kettle to drink hot water or tea.
Almirah & Cupboard: The room had an almirah and a separate cupboard where you could keep your clothes, bags, and other travel essentials.
TV: A 40-inch smart TV was also there to watch your favorite shows or videos before heading out or while relaxing after a long day. However, you could only watch it on YouTube because the TV didn’t offer regular TV channels.
Sofa: The room also had a comfortable sofa where you could sit and relax, especially when you wanted a break from the bed.
Balcony View
The balcony is one of the best parts of the room. You get a clear view of Khurpatal Lake and the mountains from the balcony.
The balcony has two chairs and a small table to sit together, have chai and snacks, play UNO, or simply talk and enjoy the view.
The wooden walls and the open balcony make the space feel warm and comfortable. You can also see the nearby houses, hills, and lake while sitting there.
The view makes you forget the busy city life for a while and gives you some quiet time with your partner.
Bathroom Review
Hygiene and Cleanliness
Bathroom Facilities and Hot Water
The bathroom feels spacious and almost like a separate room rather than a small hotel bathroom.
It has a large mirror above the washbasin with golden borders on all four sides. You can click aesthetic mirror selfies or even take a romantic selfie with your partner.
The bathroom has a shower, bucket, and mug to use for bathing. The wooden ceiling and marble-style walls also give the bathroom a clean and well-finished look.
A geyser provides hot water, which you’ll definitely appreciate during Nainital’s cold mornings and evenings.
The washbasin tap also provides both hot and cold water to comfortably wash your face, brush your teeth, or wash your hands in the morning.
Overall, the bathroom has all the basic facilities you need for a comfortable stay in Nainital.
Toiletries Provided
Basic toiletries provided include:
- 2 toilet paper rolls
- 1 small shampoo bottle
- 1 small body lotion bottle
- 2 small shower gel bottles
- 2 toothbrushes
- 1 toothpaste
- 1 soap bar
- 1 hand wash
The shower gel quantity is enough for a small stay, like 2-3 days. However, please carry your own shampoo and soap if you are staying for a week or more.
Food and Dining Experience
The hotel has a terrace restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating.
You can enjoy your meal inside a cozy indoor setting or sit outside and have your food with a mountain view.
You can also order food directly to your room if you prefer to eat in private.
The hotel accepts food and room service orders from 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM.
The hotel’s menu has limited options. You won’t find a huge variety of dishes here.
However, the food we tried was quite good. Their Aloo Gobi was spicy and delicious. We liked it so much that we ordered it again the next day.
However, the taste was different the next day. It didn’t have the same tangy flavor. We were a little disappointed.
At the same time, we liked that the hotel prepares fresh food every day. Unlike some hotels that prepare food in large batches, they don’t serve the same food for several days.
Their Gulab Jamun was also really tasty, and ordered it again too.
Hotel Staff Behavior
We stayed at the hotel for 2 days.
On the second day, we went out and got stuck outside for around 2 hours because of a landslide.
We were expected to reach the hotel at around 11 PM. However, the room service was available only until 10:30, and we were super hungry.
We contacted the hotel staff around 9 PM and explained our situation. They understood it immediately, took our order over the phone, and kept it ready for us.
When we finally reached the hotel, they served our food despite the usual room service hours. This was a nice gesture and showed that the staff tried to help us when we needed it.
Is it Worth Staying?
Yes. Golden Oak by The Lake Hill is definitely worth staying at.
Additionally, it’s ideal if you want a comfortable hotel away from Mall Road crowds.
I would rate this hotel 10/10. We also noticed some guests returning to the same hotel for another trip. That says a lot about the service and hospitality.
You can book the hotel through MakeMyTrip, Booking.com, Cleartrip, Goibibo, or other hotel booking websites. Compare the prices before booking to get the best deal.
Booking during the off-season can also save you a lot of money. We stayed here in August and got the room for almost half the usual price.
Ishika is a writer by profession and a daydreamer at heart. She travels beyond the hype to share honest reviews and thoughtful recommendations that help others travel smarter. When she’s not writing or exploring, she’s coloring in silence or lost in books.
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