Review : Basically we are a little bold and adventerous, always looking at disdain at the swanky and super luxurious with ’nothing to do’ appearance about them. But this time the occassion being the Marriage Annversary things had to be different. We had travelled to Nagerhole, Bandipur, Mudumalai and thought that this time around we should spend time enjoying the weather and the sylvan sorroundings doing nothing rather than chase petrified antelope or bemused wild boar, or look for that really elusive ’Sher Khan’.
With this in mind and on the lookout for a place at overnight distance from Hyderabad (both of us work), million of search pages on Google later we froze on Panchgani. All we knew about this place is that it was the lesser popoular cousin of the more popular Hill Station, Mahabaleshawar. We were there in Panchgani, in mid-May 2004.
The place true to its reviews which we had read earlier, seemed as if was an insignificant place, somewhere on the road connecting Pune and Mahabaleshwar. All the vehicles seemed to just drive through Panchgani, in such a hurry, to make us doubt our decision. Since we had to depend only on ourselves with only Internet to aid us, the search yeilded a very interesting place, with old world charm.
Welcome to IL Palazzo Hotel in Panchgani. To start, the place, is an old Parsi place, with British style architecture and the interiors would remind you of your Grand parents place. There are rooms with doors and latches which do not close shut, but will have to be bolted shut. The windows will either have four doors all of which have to be individually bolted, or two doors which will have to be individually bolted. Apart from the main area, which houses the reception area and a few air conditioned rooms (which you will never need, we went in May, and were wrapped in thick mattresses), there are four more tastefully decorated houses around (part of IL Palazzo).
All of them, have individual rooms with modern baths, and rooms which may seem small, and Television. All the rooms are attached to one another with a closed door serving as the partition. Its an amazing old world charm, and decor which instantly relaxes your mind and puts you at ease.
A perfect get away from the current pollution and corruption. Seeing is believing, the lawns, the narrow winding pathways, leading to each quarter, the swings which you can use comfortably anytime of the day, without being scared of a horrible tan, Gym, Table Tennis, Swimming and a mini basket ball court.
If the service in the best hotels you have been to can be for the time being called courteous, IL Palazzo will exceed your expectations. Waiters who are well behaved and understand, who will go the extra mile, to get things that you require or need.
Food is best left un-described. Words curtail the taste and the spread of any meal. There was not a single occassion when we felt that we ate just right. There is so much to eat, and so many things to eat, that you will actually end up eating a little of everything, and then end up cursing that you were not able to eat them all. The people who you will find along with you as guests are people like you and me running away from the hustle and bustle and looking to having a quiet weekend or getaway. They are not the usual noisy, loud, polluting, package trip kind of neighbours.
Its very easy to make friends as you will find that you are having atleast one meal with them a day, or crossing each other while on walks or on the swings. Its a great place to exchange stories and events in the refreshing oxygen rich cool air of IL Palazzo. For one, you will never find IL Palazzo too crowded. Its always moderatly full, with a lot of room for yourself and privacy. You will almost miss those stares, and hawkers asking you to buy their stuff. Its leisure unlimited, the way you choose to have it!
At Rs.3000 per couple per night, fully loaded (All taxes+All Meals) it might sound a touch expensive, but trust me its worth it. It will be money well spent.
About Panchgani, its a boarding school town, and a quick 100 kms from Pune. The best but expensive way to get there is to hire a Taxi which will cost you about Rs.850. In Panchgani, walk, and walk. Its a great place to walk, inspite of the pretty heavy traffic through the day, it will help fill in your lungs with bracing oxygen rich mountain air. We enjoyed Panchgani because we walked. There’s quite a lot of stuff to buy, Pickles, Jams, and Strawberry’s.