Vivanta Katra Vaishno Devi

I recently stayed at Vivanta Katra Vaishno Devi during my trip to the Vaishno Devi and overall, it was a pleasant and peaceful experience. The best part about this hotel is its location — it’s away from the hustle and bustle of Katra town, making it feel like a serene retreat. At the same time, you don’t have to worry about getting to the yatra starting point. The hotel provides complimentary pick-up and drop services to Banganga and the helipad, and the rides were surprisingly very comfortable and punctual. Check-in and check-out were smooth and hassle-free, which I always appreciate when traveling. The rooms have definitely improved since Vivanta took over — they feel much fresher and more comfortable now, with none of the mustiness I’ve experienced in the past. It's clear some attention has gone into the room upgrades although carpets in room are still smelly and dirty. That said, there are a few areas that need improvement. The common areas seem a bit tired and could use maintenance and better upkeep. I also tried the spa, but unfortunately, the spa rooms were not clean and had an unpleasant smell, which made the experience worst. The whirlpool took ages to start, and the pool area could also benefit from a bit more care. There were broken glass at bookshelf in activity area. There is an urgent need for some well trained staff from other Vivanta/taj to upkeep these things apart from the old staff from country inn. Despite these minor drawbacks, I’d still say it’s a great place to stay in Katra if you’re looking for comfort, peace, and convenient access to the shrine. If they improve the spa and common areas, it would easily be a 5-star experience.

Great place to stay their in room dining service is just Great...must try dal makhani and rajma Special shout out to Gulshan,Poonam, shivani,karishma &ravi

Dear Mr. Kuldeep Raj Sharma General Manager, Vivanta Katra Vaishno Devi Disappointing Experience During Recent Stay at Vivanta – Request for Acknowledgment and Corrective Action Dear IHCL Team, We were enthusiastic about our recent stay at Vivanta, especially considering this was our second visit to the property within the last two years. Unfortunately, the experience during this visit fell significantly short of expectations, leaving us disappointed. I would like to bring the following concerns to your attention for acknowledgment and corrective action: 1. Mosquito Issue in Room 211: Immediately after check-in, we informed the reception that Room 211 had a significant mosquito problem. Despite raising this concern, no action was taken by the staff, forcing us to spend the entire night dealing with mosquitoes, which severely impacted our comfort and rest. i am still having pictures of mosquito in room. 2. Swimming Pool Hygiene Concerns: On 20.06.2025, when we used the swimming pool, it was evident that the filtration and cleaning systems were not operational, and the water had turned visibly green. Despite raising this issue with the staff at the pool area, the machines were only switched on after nearly an hour. Additionally, algae were present in the pool, which led to green stains on my daughter’s swimwear, raising serious concerns regarding hygiene and safety standards. Upon further complaint, the pool facility was closed entirely on 21st and 22nd June, until our departure, clearly indicating the poor maintenance and lack of proactive measures beforehand. 3. Unpleasant SPA Experience (Tatva Spa): We had booked the in-house Tatva Spa for 21.06.2025 with specific instructions that male staff would attend to male guests, and female staff to female guests. During booking, the Tatva team initially mentioned the unavailability of two female therapists at the same time, but after discussion, they agreed to the arrangement, and the booking was confirmed accordingly. However, during the session, I was assigned a female therapist without my knowledge or consent, violating the agreed terms. To add to the disappointment, when we raised this issue, both the Tatva Spa team and the hotel’s senior manager responded with highly unprofessional behavior. Instead of acknowledging the mistake or offering an apology, they laughed in front of my wife and other female family members. This behavior was not only disrespectful but entirely unacceptable, especially for a property that carries the Vivanta name and IHCL reputation. We chose Vivanta for its brand promise of superior hospitality, but these incidents reflected poor service standards, hygiene issues, and a lack of accountability. After the trip, I & my daughter had to visit Gastroenterologist for stomach pain & infection. My female family members are felling insulted. I urge you to look into these matters seriously, initiate the necessary corrective actions, and share how you plan to address thes