Neat & Clean Off Road Mehatpur Lunch tourism, Himachal Pradesh
Mehatpur animated by the great river Sutlej on Highway 21 near the border of Punjab is an alternate route for travelers on the road to Chandigarh (120 kms) in Dharamsala and Chamba north. Dining options are limited to dhabas that dot rural roads, the discovery of the Hotel Menon, a new building in the heart of Mehatpur main bazaar, a mandatory stop.
Spotlessly clean inside and out, Hotel Menon is a young upstart in an area surrounded by agricultural fields and old traditions. New face to greet new customers behind the counter before going to bar customers from hunger and the Indian restaurant just off the lobby. A change in the atmosphere is very noticeable when you go through the doors that separate the lobby of the hall. Heavy iron tools more suitable for setting up outdoor patio are compressed into a room finished with marble floors and in marked contrast with the walls painted green and white. In the absence of carpets and other pieces of character, the dining room feels almost like a funeral.
Menon hotel’s kitchen (which is a small staircase and got into a corner of the room) adds to the uniqueness of the unusual dining room decor. A waiter in his senior year was service to the entire room, luckily not too crowded. And to make things more interesting, friendly and efficient this man also doubled in just the cook. This scenario would not be so unusual in a rural Dhaba, but in a modern hotel in India seem to expect a slightly faster delivery of orders. A single meal of potato omelet paneer parantha and more chai was in line with any other restaurant in north India. A more interesting test would be to try some traditional dishes in Indian cuisine on the menu at a new visit.
Out of curiosity, I asked to see some of the rooms prior to departure. Both of these young men to the front desk staff were happy to break the routine. Rooms range from budget of Rs 800 spacious suites from Rs 2,500 Mural painting mixed with colored window curtains are the only furniture plain furniture in all rooms. Voices echo off the high ceilings easy to vacuum carpets or rugs noise attenuation. Clean the bathroom, and provides basic services for any western tourist needs.
Expect no frills from the Hotel Menon. Simple seems to be the motto of the newest and best hotel. And it worked well with my appetite, and certainly my wallet, just a bill of Rs 67 + tip. Travellers will benefit in particular, a spacious, neat and clean behind the toilet in the lobby.