Backpacking in India: Staying at the Hotel Formule 1 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State

When life took me to the “dry state” of Gujarat in India, my Northern Irish soul could think of nothing else but Michael Palin’s journey here and the trouble he went to just to have a few beers in his hotel room. I wanted that too. So I made a beeline for the city of Ahmedabad in Gujarat. Although Ahmedabad is not the capital city, this is a vibrant hub which, unless you’ve seen it in in insane glory, you don’t really know what it’s like. Ahmedabad is crazy. That’s saying something when I’ve recently backpacked nonchalantly through Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Cool spots, but this one borders so much on lunacy, you should need a visa.

Plus, this is Gandhi’s State, arguably my trip to Gujarat is the most important thing for me to see in India, the definitive experience. Gandhi is the country’s father and leading figure, his name synonymous with Indian freedom and independence.

So with that in mind, how about a nice quiet room where you can have a beer, 7 floors above the madness, living the travel dream, for just another night on this planet. Yes, please and with that I booked into the Hotel Formule 1 in bustling Ahmedabad city. This place rocked and here are five reasons why I loved my stay at the Hotel Formule 1 in Ahmedabad.

1.In-Room WiFi, Lobby Wi-Fi
India has been notoriously shocking for internet so far to be blunt. I shouldn’t normally complain really, but I work on the move and I have clients needing travel articles on a regular basis so I was glad I could get some work done here. Not just in my room, where I had a bloggers desk but also downstairs in the lobby.

2.My Bar
There are no “bars” as such in Gujarat State as it’s a dry state, but I just had to have a beer in my own bar. That is to say – a beer in Room 701 in the Hotel Formule 1. It tasted great and was a long process after applying for an online alcohol permit and then getting my permit at the Grand Bhagwati Hotel.

A night on the sauce live from a hotel room? OK, let’s try. Luckily my backpacking buddy Katia also got the permit so it wasn’t totally lonesome.

“This is my bar and I am, world leader pretend.” – R.E.M. (doctored)

3.Escape the Madness
I have to say – Ahmedabad is a crazy chaotic city full of traffic and petrol fumes. You can escape all of that here into the cleanliness of your cosy hotel room at Hotel Formule 1.

4.Brilliant Indian Breakfast
The Hotel Formule 1 in Ahmedabad provides you with a top notch Indian Breakfast, rice, roti, curry. Also including tea, coffee and juice.

5.Marvellous Staff
In a city this crazy, you need some nice people to talk to and the staff here were superb. Karan and Sanjeev welcomed me to their hotel with textbook aplomb. Indian hospitality at its best. Thanks everyone for your time and happiness.

This is the best place to be based when you are backpacking in Ahmedabad. There are no hostels and not many backpackers, so get it booked here at the and get ready for the madness.

Here are the details for booking the Hotel Formule 1 in Ahmedabad:
Hotel Formule1 Ahmedabad
S.G Road Ahmedabad – 380015, Gujarat, India
Phone: +91 79 49004141, Fax: +91 79 49004142
Website: http://www.hotelformule1.in/hotel-overview/25

Here are some videos I made at the Hotel Formule 1 in Ahmedabad:

(to be uploaded when I have faster internet)