More pictures – Z Hotel

1: A Swiss traveler

Dear Z-team
I was so long time travelling in India, but now I come back to Switzerland. Last sunday I arrived in Zurich.

It was so hard to leave India, I had such a great time and I am very lucky and happy I met good people like you.

I hope your remember me, I was three times (this year) in Puri and the last time we had two partys in the kitchen (chicken-curry).

You were all so lovely and friendly with me, never I will forget this. I will say, thanks for all, the Z-Hotel was much more then Hotel, it was like home and I miss you all very much.

I hope you are all well. I need in Switzerland a little time to comeback to the western world, my body is here but my heart and soul is in india and this gives me so much to power my dreams and to look forward.
Take care and much LOVE,

A Swiss traveler

A twin room with four-poster beds and red curtains

A twin room with white four-poster beds and green curtains

A bed by a tall window with green curtains

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2: Paul Robertson & Anne-Marie

We had originally planed to spend only three days at the Hotel Z in Puri. However, we so enjoyed both the town and the hotel that we ended up spending 8 days. The staff are very friendly and accommodating. Truly a wonderful example of personal hospitality. I highly recommend this place to fellow travellers.

Paul Robertson & Anne-Marie
Montreal, Canada
October 29, 1996

A sunlit hall with tall windows and chairs

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3: Martin Cassidy

Undone onto thee
from hot lemon tea,
to the fish from the sea
pancake honey
and of course
regrettably
coffee!

Unfolding is me
I return to the Sea
then eating with glee
a superb fish curry
but time you see
has caught up with thee
and unfortunately
it is time to flee
UNDOUBTIBLY
HOTEL Z
is the best in PURI !

Martin Cassidy
7 Honeysuckle Pl.
Christchurch
New Zealand
11.11.97

The staircase, with a painted figure on the wall

The old staircase and its carved railing, in black and white

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4: Jennifer & Bryan

We have sent many an email home telling friends that Puri is highly recommended and that above all else, a stay at the Z Hotel is a must. We were so happy to find such a wonderful spot and know that we have been “spoiled” for the rest of our journey. Much thanks for the consistent helpfulness, fantastic food and great environment. We can definitely say that you had the best spices and food of anywhere in town.

Thank you.

Jennifer & Bryan
Canada
March 2, 2000

Wooden sofas with green cushions in the hall

A wooden sofa with green cushions under an arch

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5: David Short

I arrived here feeling tired and frustrated and left feeling on top of the world.

A great place to re-charge the batteries.

Thanks.

David Short
Adelaide, Australia
October 2000

The long verandah with its beamed ceiling and arched windows

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6: Varda & Gideon Dror

Most definitely the best hotel we remember in India. great rooms, great staff, superb cuisine (kitchen).

We love this hotel.

Varda & Gideon Dror
Israel

The garden with tables and chairs on the lawn

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7: jack retter

The front of the Z Hotel, white with green awnings, and its wide steps

stayed at the Z hotel in december 2006, it was on my first in the incredible india. i landed in calcatta and was shocked by the country that was india. the smell was amazing, the noise was an alnight party with off time sirens. puri was a relazing experiance that would not have been half as good if it was not for your loving hotel and welcoming staff, i thank you very much and will return the day i step back in to india, thanks.

jack retter
melbourne
australia
22 May 2007

The dining room with its long wooden table

A room with tall windows, in black and white

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8: Tom

The white walls and green awnings of the hotel, seen from below

The Z Hotel – Palace of crows and salt and strange people

Dear Tathagata,

Puri already seems light years ago.

I wanted to thank you and Adyasha for having us at the Z Hotel this time. It always has been a good place for me to write. I am still working on The Man with the Golden Mind, which will be out worldwide in February 2014. Your contribution will be duly noted.

You asked me what I thought about the changes at the hotel.

Now, with the distance of a month or two, here’s my two Baht worth.

The restoration has brought both good and bad changes. The Z is obviously very much part of your life and so perhaps it changes along with its owner, as it must. As I grow older, I also appreciate modern bathrooms. I understand your notion that refurbishment was necessary. So, you had to do something and you did most of it well. It is still a beautiful hotel.

The flipside of this is the hike in the room price which is, given your investment, not unreasonable. But of course it changes the Z in the sense that guests who happily spend the new rates are likely to be different from the ones who paid the old room rates. Once again, this is not a criticism as such. Everything must change. The Z will perhaps become more of a hotel and less the windswept romantic film set, the palace of crows and salt and strange people lurking in the hallways, the place where anything really is possible, the place you created in the first place.

Once again, thanks for your hospitality, to you and your family as well as all the staff at the Z.

When in Bangkok next, be sure to drop a line beforehand.

All the best,
Tom

A twin room with tall windows, in black and white

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9: Pavlo Kozalidis

The front steps under the green awning — Photo courtesy
Pavlo Kozalidis

An outside staircase on the white walls of the house

The lawn and the drive in front of the hotel

A corner of the house with an outside staircase

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10: Staircase renovation

The renovated wooden staircase, from the bottom — Staircase renovation completed by 19 Jan 2017. Polishing done. All set

The polished wooden steps of the staircase

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