Alchi Hotels : Hotel Samdupling
Recommended by a friend, Hotel Samdupling turned out to be a gem of a place amongst the other alchi hotels. It’s a lovely 2-storied, traditional, 
Ladakhi house that has been converted into a hotel by the family that owns the property. It is located in an alley that branches off to the right from the main road leading to the village square from the highway. A gutter runs along the side of the alley but we were amazed to see it clean and filled with a fast-flowing, clear stream of water – probably melting snow from the nearby mountains! About 50m up the alley we came upon a pair large, metal gates with traditional Ladakhi designs, painted in their typical, burnt-red hue. A small door in the gate, let us into the hotel’s courtyard.
Beautifully maintained, Hotel Samdupling’s best feature is its lovely flower garden. My eyes were immediately drawn to the bushes of roses of varied colors – they were gorgeous! These were placed in 
between apple and apricot trees. Solar-charged lamps were placed at regular intervals bordering the garden. A few plastic chairs and tables stood in the middle of the gravel-filled area for lounging in during good weather. A cemented pathway led from the gate to the guesthouse’s main entrance, where a few steps led up to the lobby area. Mr. Samdupling and his wife welcomed us in and immediately showed us to a nice double-room on the upper floor, with windows overlooking the fabulous garden.
Our room was quite comfortable with 2 single beds,a vanity mirror and dressing table, 2 chairs and a
coffee table, and an attached bathroom. It was neatly furnished and quite clean. The bathroom, though, was older and could do with some updating. The flooring of the room was a wood laminate, giving the space a modern, neat look!
The hotel has an on-site, vegetarian restaurant where we had dinner. We were served with salads, rotis, a vegetable dish, Dal and rice. It was quite delicious and felt almost like home-cooked food!
Overall, our stay in Samdupling was very comfortable and relaxing. It did not feel like a hotel. Its location is away from the crowded area around Alchi’s monastic complex and therefore quite ideal for a peaceful retreat.
Distance between Leh and Alchi : 61 Kms / 38 miles
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