Vivanta Katra Vaishno Devi

Had a wonderful stay in Room No. 306. The place is lovely, food was absolutely delicious, and I really appreciated that the chef personally came to take feedback on the meals, it shows how much they care. The staff is very warm and helpful, and the pick-and-drop service made everything super convenient. Only suggestion! I feel the shower could be a bit better. Otherwise, everything was perfect and made my stay truly enjoyable.

This is a lovely property, surrounded by nature and very peaceful. Had a lovely stay. Staff is very friendly and courteous.. right from Arun in the front desk who is very quick with his job, The restaurant staff serves with a smile and ensures the food brief is taken properly.. while the senior staff like Ashok ensure they lead by example, the other staffs like Poonam, Gulshan & Shivani ensure they make the Guest feel at home with there sweet little Gestures and dedication towards work. Also the Kitchen Headed by the Executive Chef Joginder ***** with his team, specially Anil Chef ensures the food is customised and prepared as per the Guest Choice..

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.