Just returned from a 2-night stay at the Devbagh Beach Resort, Karwar. The resort is on island three kilometres away from the shore.
The location, as poet Tagore had written is truly idyllic. So is the beach. But the resort owned by the Karnatak Government is poorly maintained.
The cottages badly need infrastructural repairs. When it rains, the roofs leak. The curtains have probably not been changed since inception. The bedsheets and pillow cases are dirty. There is no concept of daily room cleaning. The toilet bowls are chipped. In short, other than basic amenities, the rooms badly need repair.
There is no concept of room service. Not even a calling bell. Even to request for towels for the rooms(which were not automatically supplied) one had to walk half a mile.
The single restaurant is located far away from the cottages. Even for bed tea, rain or sunshine, one has to walk to this substandard shack. The food buffet is poor both in quality and diversity.
The tracks to the cottages and the beach is unkempt. While the beach is fantastic, there are no sun umbrellas or even basic shades to invite lounging.
The boats ferrying tourists to the resorts are rickety and old. Even the reception area at the jetty looks like it could crumble any time.
With a little more love and care and timely investment in improving infrastructure, this resort could truly become one of the world’s best, considering its location.
However, the Tourism Department of Karnataka, has allowed it to become a rundown property. As it is today, its reputation is hyped and the tarriffs charged are not at all justified.