The Royal Orchid

Down here in Chikmagalore, things move at a much slower pace than in the big cities. The Royal Orchid is tucked away in Bettadahalli, specifically at Kantharaj B E 330. If you are coming from Tarikere, you know the roads can be a bit bumpy depending on the season. It’s very green around here, especially after it rains, and sometimes the mist just hangs over the hills for hours. We spend a lot of our time just keeping the place tidy and making sure the guests have what they need. It isn't a massive operation with hundreds of staff. It’s just us. We deal with the power cuts when they happen and try to keep the gardens looking decent. Living and working in this part of Karnataka means you get used to the quiet. Sometimes it’s so quiet you can hear the insects buzzing from a mile away. We don't have any big corporate speeches or anything like that. We just show up, open the doors, and see what the day brings. Most of the people who work here are locals from the district. We know the land and we know how the weather changes. If the water heater acts up, we fix it. If the path gets overgrown, we clear it. It’s just a regular place to stay in the middle of all this nature.