What you see is not what you get!
What you see is not what you get. This was a very upsetting experience.
I booked Amantrhit because of the beautiful retreat shown in its marketing and Instagram. Unfortunately, that is far from what I experienced. There is a great deal of artistic licence used in the marketing, and the feeling there is so distant from what is shown. In my opinion, the images appear so heavily edited that they do not reflect the reality I saw. I work in the photographic industry, so this was immediately obvious to me.
There was no pink mountain retreat (that is an old location), no peaceful green mountain setting, no yoga by the Ganges as shown in the photographs, no candlelit treatments nor flower garlands, and none of the warm, relaxing ceremonies or classes portrayed in Amantrhit’s marketing. Instead, I stayed in a basic white three-storey hotel surrounded by half-built buildings, with only one other retreat guest.
The yoga and healing room was so dirty, with filthy windows and a very dusty floor. During yoga you are asked to place your hands on the dusty floor and dirty mats, and then onto your face. I asked for the room to be cleaned, but the floor was never cleaned to an acceptable standard. The light switches were so dirty they looked as though they had never been cleaned, even in the restaurant. The last three reviews of the actual hotel, were terrible.
This was not the retreat that influenced my decision to book, and I did not feel healed or restored—just stressed.
I raised my concerns directly with my contact, Aman Saini, on two very clear occasions, and later with his business partner, Rohit Kumar, as requested. I was asked to provide proof, which I did. I had been offered a full refund if I was not satisfied, and before I left I asked merely for an accommodation refund. I have since been told that I do not qualify because I was polite and respectful and acknowledged that the one therapist (the only Ayurvedic one) was caring. However, any benefit from any individual treatments was completely overshadowed by the retreat environment, and unfortunately, Amantrhit are using my courtesy to suggest I had enjoyed my experience and gained benefit. I had not. They were not the same thing, I was more than clear. It’s very invalidating, an obvious incorrect interpretation, and I feel that my genuine concerns were not respected, but instead dismissed as they deny my experience and redefined it for me. Which they assert they will do on my review.
The photographs I took during my stay clearly document the conditions and the environment.
Because I believe Amantrhit’s marketing does not accurately represent the retreat, I have referred this matter to the appropriate consumer and advertising authorities in India, as there is a clear contradiction.
I never saw any of the images portrayed during my stay. Amantrhit continues to post photographs of classes with clean yoga mats, branded white treatment rooms and beautiful surroundings …..but I never encountered any of that.
Antwort von Amantrhit
Thank you for sharing your feedback, Jo. We take all guest experiences seriously and would like to respond honestly and respectfully both for you and for anyone reading this review.
On the retreat experience:
We are genuinely sorry that your overall experience did not meet your expectations. However, we feel it is important to share that in your own written communication to us, you stated "The Ayurvedic treatments were good, the practitioners were knowledgeable and caring, the food was good, and the hotel staff were kind. I appreciate these aspects of my stay." We share this not to invalidate your feelings, but because we believe a complete picture is important for anyone reading this review.
On our properties:
Amantrhit operates two properties, one is in the uphills and one in the main Tapovan, Rishikesh. Both are genuinely listed and featured across our website and social media. When you arrived, we informed you clearly that due to ongoing government road construction, access to our hillside property was not possible at that time, something entirely outside our control. You were hosted at our Tapovan property, which is a fully operational, listed Amantrhit space, not an alternative or unaffiliated accommodation.
Tapovan is a vibrant, commercialised area of Rishikesh, this is true and we do not deny it. Many of our international guests love the energy, the accessibility, and the proximity to the Ganga and local culture. It is a personal preference, and we respect that it may not suit everyone.
On cleanliness:
Our yoga and healing spaces are cleaned every day without exception. When you raised a concern about the room, it was addressed immediately. You also received a brand new, individually packed yoga mat for your personal use throughout your stay, something we provide to every guest as a standard practice.
On our marketing:
Our content reflects the beauty of Rishikesh, both our properties, and the genuine experiences of our guests. We stand fully behind our marketing. Healing and transformation are deeply personal and the same environment can feel very different to different people. We have had guests from across the world the UK, Europe, USA, Canada, and beyond who have had deeply transformative experiences with us, and their words speak for themselves.
On the refund:
Our healing guarantee covers the treatments and therapeutic sessions and by your own written words, those were delivered well. Which you mentioned to us also though email "The Ayurvedic treatments were good, the practitioners were knowledgeable and caring, the food was good, and the hotel staff were kind. I appreciate these aspects of my stay."
We genuinely wish you well, Jo. We hope you find the peace and healing you were seeking. Our doors remain open.
— Team Amantrhit, Rishikesh