Gastgebruiker
3 september 2024
I recently visited a resort with a mix of good and bad experiences. Journey to the Resort: I took an Uber costing Rs. 1568 to reach the resort. The resort team had contacted me a day before and asked me to inform them 20 km before arrival, which I did. They provided a parking location 5 km from the resort where their vehicle would pick us up. Unfortunately, the Uber driver dropped us 400 meters away from the parking spot due to the bad road conditions. Upon arrival, a welcoming staff member greeted us and took us to the resort by jeep, waiting for another guest before we left. The Resort: The resort itself was excellent, built entirely of wood with a suspended bridge leading to the reception. The check-in was smooth, and the staff were friendly. The villa (treehouse) was well-maintained, air-conditioned, and had a scenic view, making it perfect for nature lovers. The room had a spacious layout with a bathtub on the balcony, which was a unique and enjoyable feature. Dining and Activities: There was some confusion regarding the trekking schedule. Initially, we were informed there was no trek that day, but later told about a 5:30 PM trek which we missed. However, we managed to join the morning trek, which was an excellent experience, thanks to our guide. The food was exceptional, earning a five out of five, especially the hot coffee, hot chocolate, chicken 65, and sandwiches. Breakfast was simple but sufficient, including idli, sambar, fruits, bread, upma, paratha with curd, and chicken nuggets. The availability of Wi-Fi, though not strong enough for streaming, was a nice touch for staying connected. Departure and Transportation Issues: The most disappointing part was the departure. The resort quoted Rs. 4500 for a return trip, which was shocking as it was three times the cost of our one-way journey. Despite my wife not feeling well, we had no other option but to agree. Upon meeting the driver, he was upset to learn I had transferred the money to the resort’s manager. The actual driver only received Rs. 3000 and was unhappy about the reduced amount. This caused significant stress as he wanted us to switch to a smaller vehicle mid-way, despite having paid for an SUV. Eventually, after much pleading, he agreed to take us to Pune. In summary, while the resort itself and the stay were enjoyable, the transportation arrangements were poorly handled and left a bad taste. I recommend future visitors to bring their own vehicle or arrange transportation directly to Lonavala to avoid similar issues. The resort staff should be more transparent and fair with their transportation costs to avoid feeling scammed.
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