As a new initiative for my blog posts, I have thought of writing about my experiences on some delightful stays at various places when I am traveling. This is an unbiased personal review of my stay experience in WoodyVu Stok House in Stok, Leh-Ladakh
When you plan a trip to the most touted destination of India – Ladakh, what do you plan first? Most replies to this question would be the travel part on how to reach those treacherous and high altitude mountains of himalayas. The another most important part of the plan has to be where you relax your body after a hectic schedule of criss crossing the arid regions of Ladakh as each attraction is miles away from each other.
So I was focussed on assuring a comfortable yet an authentic ladakhi experience in choosing my stay in Leh. With some research on the local experiences and how the topography of Leh is laid out, I made it a point not to go the conventional way in staying in a property in Leh town. So we zeroed in on the beautiful secluded home stay from WoodyVu properties in the adjacent village of Stok and aptly called the WoodyVu stock House.
About the Location
Well, I personally assess couple of factors in choosing my stays, some of the key being – Tariffs (of course it all about money honey), Location (so you know how you commute in and around your stay), Ambience (how would lying in the room feel like after an adventurous day out), and the Recommendations (Trip advisor scan is a must do before i say a Yes). In case of Stok House, all parameters scored a high except the location part. I could make it out (thanks to google maps), that it was well distanced from most of the Ladakh’s must visit places and also some 15 Kms well out of Leh (And hence the airport too). Since we were flying in and out of Leh (and not opting for the much fancied road trip), the location seemed distant to us from and to the airport. Obviously we knew we would have to shell those extra bucks in taxi-ing, but still decided to go ahead as it offers a different charm of a local home stay experience in a typical ladakh interior. During our visit, we realised its worth the money as Leh now seems to be very crowded and the hotels there do not offer anything drastically distinct like WoodyVu. Almost all of them have the same views. But where Stok house scores in location – When I opened the balcony doors and could see triad of valleys – from Khardungla one one side to the Stok Kangri and the himalayan ranges spreading across other canvas.
Now thats a breathtaking view that would provide you instant gratification and let you enjoy the backdrop of Ladakh like you have seen in the trademark photos
The road leading to Stok village from the Leh road (about 4 to 6 Kms) is a busy ride as the muddy and dusty pathways will make sure you have a whirlwind. Its a small stretch of discomfort before you reach the property located in a large spacious farmland.
The Interiors and ambience
Stop house offers 5 rooms (2 on the first floor and remaining in the ground). We requested the Khardungla suite on the top floor and gladly were accommodated there. After that tiring ride to reach the house, we were offered some wet warm towels and a welcome drink to do off with some AMS (sickness).
To enter the room you set open the beautiful wooden doors which are in typical buddhist monastery style. And the first view of the room inside will give you a spine chill. The decor is exquisitely set up giving away an array of colors in the vivid furniture and the bamboo inspired roofs and bath areas. The main attraction is the king size vintage bed with clean drapes and a direct view of the khardungla range from the windows in front. If you happen to be on a moonlight night, just open the curtains and you would feel like floating in the open clear skies.
The Food
I am personally very fond about dining over a patient and sumptuous meal on my travels especially after a hectic day of tripping around. As you don’t really get that patience in your daily dinners back home. One of the highlight of the Stok house in their traditional ladakhi kitchen with tibetan utensils and decor. You feel blessed having a bowl go hot garlic soup in the evening to take away your tiredness. The food was indeed cooked with heart. We were initially a bit apprehensive when the manager told us they don’t cook himalayan meals and we would have to be content with the north indian cuisine only. But we got a chance to have 2 dinners and a couple of breakfasts and each meal was uniquely tasty though simple in making.
The Hospitality Experience
Woodyvu Stok house is a beautiful 100 year old ladakhi house giving you all the comforts of modern amenities while keeping intact the essence of original ladakhi house. The gallery area of the house brings you into a picturesque mountain home and adorned by apple and orchard trees. As per their website, the old lady living in the next door house, opposite the main gate originally came here as a young bride some 90 years ago in this ancestral house. We could spot a similar lady going yak grazing in the farms nearby.
Right from the booking to the time we checked out, the hospitality by WoodyVu team has been at the forefront of the amazing experiences we had during the stay. I insisted on getting the Khardungla suite from the beginning and was gladly offered that. The Staff (from the hotel manager Mr. Ajay to the service staff ) were extremely warm and ensured our presence was indeed a pleasurable one. You feel like returning there back again on the next visit to Leh – Ladakh any time.
For more details about the property, visit their website WoodyVu
And for any personal recommendations and suggestions you can anytime reach out to me.
Travelloto - A Wanderlust's Diary 