We (I and my wife) recently went to Saputara for a short weekend trip to get away from the typical urban hectic life. We were looking for quiet moments where just the two of us can spend time together and I believe Saputara provided us those moments in abundance.
Transport: We were the really lucky in the transport area. We had planned to take the ST (known as Asiad) bus from Poona to Nasik. When we reached Shivajinagar bus stand, luckily there was a Volvo bus available. It was a major relief since my wife sometimes suffers from motion sickness. We reached Nasik at 1 PM. The moment we got down from the bus, another bus was about to leave for Saputara. We hopped on to that. We reached Saputara at 3 PM.
Same luck while returning back. When we went to Saputara bus stand, a bus was about to leave for Nasik. When we reached Nasik, a tout caught us and led us to Neeta Volvo office. Within 2 minutes, we were on our way to Poona.
The Stay: Being a last minute plan (or should I say no plan), I tried 5 - 6 hotels over the phone from Poona. All booked except Hotel Patang! The guy from Hotel Patang told us that there is a room empty; but only in the executive class. Rent - Rs. 2200 per night for a couple including all meals / breakfast / tea. Sounded somewhat steep to me! Moreover personally I don’t like the all inclusive plan. Doesn’t give one the option of trying other restaurants… He also said that he cannot keep the room for me if another party comes before we land there. Anyway, when we reached Hotel Patang, I checked the so called executive room. Nothing special… A double bed, TV, bathroom, couple of chairs and a big French window opening to the hotel Lawn... No AC. Not that it was required but if you call the room “Executive”, you should have AC. What say? The furnishing was alright and so was the condition of the bathroom. Nothing spectacular but clean and neat… I haggled with the guys asking him why he is charging Rs. 2200 for such an ordinary room. After some time, he said they also have semi deluxe and deluxe rooms. Charges Rs. 1400 and Rs. 1800. I checked both of them. Semi deluxe was really bad... very small, damp and congested. Deluxe was exact replica of Executive. I didn’t understand the difference. So I decided to go ahead with the Deluxe room. Lesson: how come he had deluxe and semi deluxe rooms available when the same fellow last night had said that all rooms except one executive room were occupied. This made me thinking if rooms were also available in other hotels as well…
Anyways, the hotel also had swimming pool (without water) and TT table (we could hear people playing, so I guess they had bats and balls!) One good thing about the hotel is its location. It is bang in the Saputara centre, so we could go anywhere walking…
The Food: The Hotel Patang food was again alright. Typical Punjabi food one gets at a restaurant which was sort of a turn off since we were expecting some Gujju taste… and we got it at Chitrakoot resort. We had lunch there and after a very long time, I ate 8 small chapatis. My wife was very amused at my appetite since I don’t eat more than 3 normally. The entire lunch was very good and distinctly Gujju…
The Place: I know I know this is a Saputara review… but as they say, I have saved the best for the last… Saputara is mind blowing if you have come here with correct set of expectations. This is not a place if you want to go a pub / disc / pool. It is absolutely not urban in that sense. If you are a gang of 5 -6 guys / girls and want to make party / drink / dance on bhangra music, go to Lonavala. Nothing wrong in doing all this but Saputara will not offer you this!
Given that it is a tourist place, it offers lot of tourist spots. There is a nice lake which offers boating (both pedal and rowing)… Near the lake, there are couple of games kids can play… There is a ropeway which I guess is operated by Vaity resort… There is a sunset and sunrise point… There is a museum which offers details of tribes living nearby… pretty neat for a small place like Saputara… There are few shops (selling local stuff and typical things like honey, chikki, fruit crush etc) which offer some respite to shopoholics…
But I believe what this place can offer someone especially for a couple is complete seclusion. There are roads where you can just hold hands with your significant other and walk for eternity. You won’t be disturbed… There are gardens where you can sit under a tree / on a bench for hours talking / reading a book and not a soul will disturb you… Or hire a boat for two hours and just relax in one side of the lake.
Caveat: We went there which was sort of off season which was a blessing for us… one doesn’t get so lucky always…
Bottom line: If you are looking to get away from your hectic professional / urban life and rekindle your tired mind, Saputara will offer you the much needed rejuvenation.