05/11/2008
We travelled to Amboli with the hope that we would be in the midst of nature since it is a hill station. However it is really a small town with structures dotted on either side of the highway. Most travellers seemed to be using it as a temporary stopover.
Even though Amboli is located at a height, its natural surroundings are more in evidence whilst you drive up from Sawantwadi rather than while you are in Amboli. Its only vehicular noise in Amboli.
The biggest disappointment was the hotel JRD International. I am yet to figure why the "international" tag.
We were booked into a cottage. There was no power when we walked in and we were promised that in the evening the generator is switched on for 4 hours to provide "light and fan". Great beginning!
The Bathroom was downright dirty with rust stains all over the place, cracked flooring and wall tiles and leaky taps. It seems re-decorating or even repairing a bathroom after a decade is unheard of here. The two dirty towels provided with the room were certainly no inducement to take a bath in this bathroom. Even sound leaks in their bathroom. Children in the neighbouring cottage bathroom are heard quite loudly in your bathroom.
The adjoining garden is the only "scenic" place around in the campus. It has a few children’s rides. and typically it is marred by looking on at the back of the restaurant - which makes it really unattractive. Their much touted swimming pool is right in front of the hotel and is open on all sides. So you can forget all about a lazy private swim.
Aesthetics is an unheard of word around here.They collect the room charges upfront at the time of the booking itself and that is the only smart part about the hotel. You cant have a look at the room and walk away. You have already paid for it.
All in all, its not a great idea to visit Amboli and definitely not JRD international.
If you do drop in to Amboli, try the Kamats restaurant. It is in real run down condition, but the young manager is really helpful, and he takes pains to serve really good food. We forgot to get his name, but he was the only saving grace of the entire Amboli experience.
Stick to the Konkan coast. The beaches are great and more fun.
Deepali