We have been going to Surjivan for day picnics off and on for almost 2 years now. The first time we went, a group was staying the night and they seemed to love the idea. It was April - plenty of mulberry to be picked. The group got friendly with us and when we spoke later, they said that they were glad we did a day trip and not a night one. But I only have their word for it. We have never stayed the night there.
To make a long story short, over a period of time, this is what I have liked about the place:
Clean, unpolluted air.
The herbal farm
The organic crop practices.
The relaxed atmosphere and the friendly staff - they are really really nice.
The FOOD.i LOVE the food here. Rich as hell, but I love giving the diet plan a day off for Surjivan food.
The swings and indian recreations - kanche, gilli danda et al.
In summers we request them to fill up the dip pool and they oblige. Its good to be in non chlorinated water that is filled up and then emptied right then. Of course, the dip pool has ants and spiders and stuff and you just have to. well. share the pool with them, or scoop them out slowly.
The exclusivity - its almost never crowded. Usually, we are the only visitors and we have a good time. Even when there are others, I find that in such a relaxed atmosphere, people tend to get friendly a lot more.
All the plants are labeled and nicely tagged.
the okhli and the chakki - the staff is indulgent as you try to turn the chakki or ur children play with the okhli.
And what I dont like:
The price - the rooms are dusty and from the look of it, one can expect nocturnal visitors like lizards et al. The bathrooms are basic and well. I really think the village is overpriced from where we see it.
The hygiene - if you are there for a day package, you have to use the common washrooms. Which is not too bad except that the common washrooms are dirty, are not cleaned even on request, and have no lights(really - I have not seen lights in that washroom in even ONE of my visits) and frequently have no tissues. When you request them to open a more hygienic washroom for use, they make a huge hue and cry before opening one of the unoccupied rooms so that you can at least access a usable loo. One time, the owner told me that "opening a room means that the room tab starts." I was mad enough to almost reply "well then, maintain the damn washrooms or dont offer full day package unless people can avoid the washroom for the whole day"
The Approach - the route we take is through 9 kms of pure village roads. The Surjivan signs are not as frequent as one would like them to be. One usually has to follow the Classic Golf Resort boards to get there. Oh, and dont risk a fragile car on these roads.
Overall, its my favorite place for a day trip(though at these prices, one is forced to look for alternatives)