Laxmi Palace — Rishikesh, Uttarakhand INDIA

Before we left for India, a friend told us, ‘when you get weary, just check yourself in to any hotel with the word ‘Palace’ in it.’ The idea being we would be magically renewed. Uhm. That was not, in our experience, factually accurate.

Our one-night stay at the Laxmi Palace in Rishikesh was complicated by the fact the area, a spiritual mecca, is dry (no alcohol available). So bring your own bevvie and check out — cash only! — ASAP. Oh, and bring your own towel (see video clip below).