ISOL in Rishikesh may appear promising with its scenic location, but a closer look at the actual experience reveals several shortcomings that travelers should be aware of before booking. While the natural setting is peaceful and the surroundings beautiful, the overall experience falls short of expectations—especially given the high cost of stay.
Reaching the resort itself is a challenge. The access route is long, the terrain is rough, and there are absolutely no signboards to guide you. This makes navigation extremely difficult, particularly for first-time visitors. To add to the inconvenience, mobile and internet signals are patchy throughout the journey, making it hard to call for help or directions. Once you arrive, you’ll also find that even basic provisions such as a nearby food joint are missing—forcing guests to rely solely on the resort’s expensive in-house menu, which offers very limited variety for breakfast.
Though the rooms are decent, the washrooms are poorly designed and uncomfortably small. The swimming pool, though visually appealing, had a loose and unstable ladder when we visited, raising safety concerns. Another unexpected issue: the resort charges even for the driver’s stay, which is rarely the case at similar properties in the region.
What’s particularly disappointing is the handling of emergency assistance. While the staff did extend help during a situation, a hefty and unexpected charge was added to our final bill at checkout for the same—something that felt opportunistic rather than service-oriented.
Though ISOL has its share of charm and quietude, the overall experience could have been more guest-friendly. With many other resorts in the area offering better accessibility and amenities, you might want to keep your options open—especially if you’re booking close to your travel dates.