The tagline says &ldquo&hellipa place that will listen to you when you need some comfort&hellip&rdquo, and comfort and rest were the two things on my mind as I arrived at Gangtok&rsquos Tamarind Residency after a long Delhi-Bagdogra flight, followed by the drive to Gangtok. As I entered the spacious and stylishly turned out lobby, proprietor, Mrs. Pema Lhamu Lamtha, graciously offered me Sikkim&rsquos famous cherry brandy, and I knew I had arrived at the right address. The only family-owned and run hotel in the 4-star category in Gangtok, the hotel, at first glance, exuded the serene atmosphere of the pristine mountain range that overlooks it.
Soon, I retired to my suite named The Orchid. Talk about class and the room &ndash with a sitting room of its own &ndash fits the bill perfectly. The Tamarind Residency has both single and double deluxe rooms as well as single and double suites. The spacious room had an LCD TV, a work-desk, a working wi-fi connection, a room heater (in my case, on request I even got a steam inhaler &ndash thanks to my sinusitis). I was delighted to note that the well-fitted bathroom had a nice bathtub too. The winding road to Gangtok had wound my nerves tight and I decided to unwind with a long, steaming-hot soak in the tub.
The Tamarind Residency has a decently stocked bar sporting international wine labels as well as the local varieties (when in Sikkim, enjoy the tax-free drink). The food is good the banana honey pan cake &ndash large and fluffy &ndash is a must have. The hotel&rsquos restaurant has on offer a wide range of continental, Chinese and Sikkimese dishes.