This property started its existence as a seven star spa resort called Zuri. It was a big flop, until it was taken over by club mahindra for their middle class customers; thats me and like the middle class fellow that I am club mahindra provides middle class service in everything it does. Club mahindra is the biggest five star wannabe that I have come across. Will someone from club mahindra reading this review please understand that adding a swimming pool to a two star facilty does not make your resort five star.
What I like :
Very large and crowded property. ( I like it that way)
A short walk from the beach.
Large open and airy rooms.
I am trying really hard to think of something nice to say. Let me see now.
Oh yes ! They provided a bucket and a mug in the bathroom to have a bath with . How thoughtful of them. One of these days they might start providing soap as well. Yummy cant wait for that to happen.
The staff is really working hard ( and sometimes hardly ) to satisfy the customers. But honestly how can one expect a few people to take care of the hordes of guests staying? Not fair.
The cooked goan food everyday in the buffet. Very thoughtful. The taste of the food though left a lot to be desired. Id rather they learn how to cook goan food first.
What I dont like :
The really poor quality of food. The poor quality of the ingredients they use. Stale food. A complete and utter lack of imagination. At least the waiters made up for whats missing in the food with their service. Poor guys were on their toes. Imagine this , in a restaurant with at least hundred guest eating dinner there are four waiters making sure everyone eats well. Really working their asses off.
Theres this eerie feeling to this resort. I simply cant explain it. Its almost planned like an erstwhile chawl in kalbadevi. And they have these really weird sculptures in the middle of the open area.
Generator smoke and noise. Awful.
Dont order a la carte. They charge ridiculous sums of money for food that is not palatable.
The readymade tea that I purchased tasted like dishwater. I get better tea on the station platforms in mumbais suburban stations.
The staff at club mahindra dont take kindly to guests/customers who complain and dont like the services. They almost feel offended if you find fault with them. I like it. Its a very nice feeling when you go for a vacation and are made to feel that you are trespassing on someones property and that they are doing you a favour by allowing you to live there. I like to take these things philosiphically. Amitabh bachhans father told amitabh bachhan jo mann ka hua to accha, aur jo man ka nahin huan to aur bhi accha. "
Theres such an interesting incident that happened here :
As soon as I checked in I went to the restaurant and ordered a veg grilled sandwich.
They dont have a griller! Then why mention grilled sandwich in the menu!
So I asked him to get the sandwich anyways. It came. And the bread was stale.
And they just threw in some sliced tomatoes and cucumbers and none of the other stuff mentioned in the menu. Since I was too hungry to care I simply started eating and called the waiter and informed him how I felt cheated. And I continued eating since I was so hungry. The waiter then went and informed the chef who apologized. And to my surprise he sent me another sandwich , complimentary, to my room. To make up for the horrible sandwich made earlier.
Now here the really funny ending to the joke :
The second sandwich was also made with stale bread and had most of the promised components missing.
The moral of the story is : It is impossible to satisfy me. I am always grumbling . Nothing is upto my satisfaction. I am a club mahindra member.