Arrival
Ahmedabad is
an international airport. As of January 2007,
Air India, and Singapore Airlines connect
Ahmedabad to USA, London, Pari and Singapore.
Those arriving in India by other airlines
can connect to domestic carriers like Indian,
Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Air Deccan, Kingfisher
and Spice jet that fly to Ahmedabad from other
international airports of India like Mumbai,
Delhi and Bangalore. N.B.: Mumbai and Delhi
remain the best connections.
Facilities for Visitors
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Accommodation :
The House of MG is a fine heritage hotel with 12 large and excellently appointed rooms, an indoor swimming pool, healthclub, a banquet hall, a business centre and a gift shop as well as two renowned restaurants. All the rooms are equipped with modern facilities like TV, Satellite Radio, Internet, Mini bar as well as modern western toilets & bathrooms with hot/cold shower. The House of MG is a heritage category hotel with 12 unique rooms having different interiors, but identical facilities and services. Therefore, in a group situation, the room allotment will be done through a picking of chits and every member will get different type of room.
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Same day Laundry :
This is available through hotel for laundry given before 10 AM.
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Currency exchange :
The House of MG provides a currency exchange service for US dollars and Dollar traveler’s cheques (American Express and Thomas Cook) through a third party agent. It also accepts all major credit cards. ATM service is also available in the neighborhood.
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Transport :
The Hotel maintains two air-conditioned vehicles for airport pickup/drop and other guest requirements. One is a Maruti Suzuki sedan that seats four passengers comfortably and the other is a Toyota Innova designed to take up to eight passengers.
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Coordinator :
An English speaking professional guide can be arranged with prior notice. Guides proficient in other foreign languages are also available on request. |
Road Conditions
Gujarat has a network of the finest highways in India. The state highways are better than those of most other states.
Food & Beverage
We will ensure that the food served is adapted to international tastes in terms of chillies and spices but if you have any special requirements, religious concerns or health related, please let us know and we will try to include something for you at each meal. Only pure-vegetarian food is served at the House of MG as traditional Gujarati food is pure vegetarian. Eggs can be ordered for breakfast in the HBM courtyard. Non-vegetarian food is served on tour at other hotels like the Taj Residency and Fortune Landmark. We can recommend good restaurants serving non-vegetarian food for any extra meals/snacks in walking distance from our hotel.
Safety
Ahmedabad is known to be a safe place for tourists, especially for women travelers compared to most other tourist destinations in India. However, watch out for beggars, pick-pockets and petty thieves when visiting crowded areas without our guides.
Health
Please refer to your doctor for details for any vaccinations, inoculations and medicine recommended for a visit to India. House of MG has doctors on call 24/7 and can recommend doctors for consultation or treatment. In case of an emergency or an ailment, Ahmedabad has some of the finest medical establishments and professionals in the country having international standard and repute.
Medicines
Though Ahmedabad has good pharmacy shops including 24-hr medical stores, we recommend that you carry all prescribed medicines with you from your country. Make sure that you carry all the necessary medicines in case you are suffering from any kind of ailment of allergy.
Clothing
Ahmedabad is a dry and hot region. Therefore light cotton clothes are recommended during summer and light woolens are recommended for winter. Travel as light as possible as clothing and laundry are quite inexpensive in India. There is no dress-code for eating out but you may like to dress up formally for the smart restaurants. Carry a scarf and a hat/cap for the desert excursion as the desert safari can be windy and dusty, and lip-salve. Also, bring good footwear suitable for walking as considerable walking is involved for heritage walk and excursions. Women travelers should avoid wearing tank tops, short skirts or shorts and other types of revealing clothes to avoid being stared at. At time you might feel being stared at, especially in smaller town. But please don’t feel offended as the people in general mean no harm and it is just out of curiosity.
Beggers
Please do not encourage them by giving them money; the best thing is to ignore them as politely as possible.
Prohibition
While alcohol prohibition is in force in Gujarat, it is possible for foreign nationals and visitors from upstate to get permits after filling a form and paying the prescribed fees. Alcohol can be purchased only from a few alcohol shops located within hotels. The alcoholic beverages can only be consumed in the privacy of your room and not in any restaurant or public place. Alcohol is not sold or served at The House of MG.
Voluntary Work
Ahmedabad has NGOs working for orphaned children, physically or mentally-challenged people, artisans, economically-backward areas, injured or orphaned animals, environment, conservation, social justice. Those who want to stay on for voluntary work can ask us for information about these organisations.
Institutes
Ahmedabad is known for its educational institutions like the IIM for management, NID for design, CEPT for town-planning and architecture, MICA for communications and NIFT for fashion designing. Visits to these institutions, schools and colleges and cultural centers can be arranged on prior notice for interested guests.
Going on from Ahmedabad
It is a four hour drive to Mt Abu or five hours to Udaipur from Ahmedabad for those who wish to continue to Rajasthan for the golden-triangle circuit. Ahmedabad has direct flights and overnight trains to Jaipur while for the desert-triangle there is an overnight train to Jodhpur. Similarly for those who wish to continue their tour of Gujarat, most of the well-known destinations of the state like Kutch, Palitana, Gir, are in convenient driving distance. For more information, please visit www.incredibleindia.org or www.india-tourism.com, the official websites of the Ministry of Tourism India.
• Delhi 1076 Km
• Jaipur 657 Km
• Udaipur 252 km
• Mumbai 545 Km
• Jodhpur 442 Km
Weather
• Very dry Summers from Mid March to Mid June with temperature ranging from 30° C to 44° C.
• Monsoon from Mid June to Mid October with medium to heavy rains with high humidity and temperature ranging from 30° C to 40° C.
• Dry winters from Mid October to Mid March, with temperature ranging from 8° C to 25° C.
Currency
Local currency is Indian Rupees. Traveler’s cheques can be changed at banks and all major credit cards are accepted throughout Ahmedabad. |
