We visited the property on 27th and checkout was on 29th Dec 2012. In one phrase to describe our experience, we enjoyed there. Before you select on this property it is very important to understand that you are visiting a very very remote place. Arranging the basic requirements also is a challenge.
Still, the staff and the management is managing very well. Everything is basic there starting from food to rooms. People who will be paying rs4000 per head per day might expect a bit more but I will suggest to avail their Rs1500 per head per day package in standard room. Because how much time you want to spend inside your room? 90% time will be outside room and food and package are the same for everyone. So better not to opt for higher room rents here.
We stayed both in standard rooms and tree houses. We had a look of their other room types. I will still suggest go for standard rooms. You will not regret compared to the money paid. The staff (mostly ladies) are very courteous and they extend their helping hand at your every problem. You have to be accommodating. It’s a huge plantation in the middle of jungle, you better be reasonable. No point in trying to accomplish an impossible objective. I saw people complaining about insects in the tree house and they probably will give a negative rating but is that justifiable?
Their rooms are stretched across a big area amidst plantation. You better not complain about why my room is 10 mins walking distance from food court amidst darkness. They can provide you a torch to walk but how can they change surroundings? Will there be any resolution to such silly questions? But people do that. It’s clearly written that the reception closes at 10 pm. Why will you seek blanket in the middle of the night when no one is around? How difficult is that to get it by 10 pm?
They arrange camp fire in the evening with music, morning treks (refreshing), fishing, jungle safari, river rafting. Your time will sail past literally. You better carry some trekking shoes or at least shoes suitable to walk along mountain trails. You can just sip in your chilled beer and sit in the balcony staring at the misty mountains and jungles. Enough peace amidst wild nature to take away your worries.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all buffet with morning and evening tea/coffee. Quantity is enough. Quality is ok. No complain about the variety. No repetitions. Veg and non-veg available. They serve chicken and mutton alternatively. Eggs for breakfast in non-veg with south Indian and bread/butter/jam option.
The honey and home made wines are good. I will recommend to buy it from the reception along with coffee.
Road till chikmagalur is very good (from Bangalore). From there the resort is another 1.5 hrs. But good roads all along. They do not have room service or phones or TV. But if you need them, why are you in the middle of nature? To watch TV??
This place is for travelers and not tourists. If you expect facilities, do not select remote location like this. Just try to be at home away from home and the amazing staff has made us feel like that. Our kids enjoyed the camp fire and the music like anything. Hot water or milk for kids whenever requested, was promptly served.
The edges along the ridge are mostly open, so you need to be careful with kids, running around. Pathways leading to rooms and around the property are not straight. Aged people and people with asthma or heart issues or walking problems should opt for rooms closer to the reception.
The tree houses were the most exotic. Very authentic setup amidst jungle with all sides open. The bathrooms were the size of standard bedrooms with all side open. Who is going to look at you in the middle of a jungle? Curtains are there of course.
When you look outside from tree house, all you will see is dense forest. People with walking and climbing problem should not opt for this. We had a full moon night in the tree house and the moonlit forest at midnight was heavenly.
We felt bad while coming back and probably sometime I will go back again to have a peaceful weekend amidst nature.
Best,