Guest User
December 12, 2023
Reaching there - About 300 km from Bengaluru. Once you get out of the city limits the road is very scenic. Just followed Google maps. Most of the road was excellent. There was some roadworks going on at a few places but otherwise really smooth drive except for the last 1 km. The last km where the road forks to the left from the forest department's entry gate is almost like a dirt road but definitely drivable. Accommodation (3/5) - The property is at a stunning location on the hillside. Located next to the Bhadra Tiger Reserve - it is covered in lush green vegetation and surrounded by green hills. Probably because we had booked this during the Diwali weekend - we didn't get the same room for two consecutive nights. We spent the first night in the first floor of the Tungabhadra block. The second night was in the cottage next to the restaurant. The rooms were clean, but both rooms and the furniture definitely needed some maintenance and renovation. It was heartening to see that they had already started a renovation program, so I am confident that things would be different during our next visit (Yes - I definitely want to visit again :) ) The bed was comfortable. The bathrooms were clean, spacious and most importantly - had hot water supply (it can get a bit cold here). The Tungabhadra block had a nice balcony, but we couldn't spend a lot of time there due to the presence of a group of monkeys (We were the ones intruding into their territory; can't blame the primates). Please remember to keep the doors and windows closed. The Tungabhadra room had WiFi, the cottage didn't. Food (3.5/5) - There is a restaurant serving both veg and non-veg fare. Compared to other JLR properties - the options were a little limited but whatever they served was tasty. Service was quick, so, overall - no complains. To the best of my knowledge - there are no other restaurants nearby. Local Sightseeing (4/5) - A walk to the sunset point in the evening is highly recommended. It's about 400 metre from the upper parking lot next to Dattatri Bhavan. Absolutely stunning view of the sunset. There is a nice park there too which we visited the next morning. Sadly we found some picnickers spoiling the ambience by throwing garbage OUTSIDE a dustbin. Please, please don't do this !! A trip to Hebbe Falls (charged extra) is an absolute must. The resort's vehicle took us inside the Bhadra Tiger Reserve (we could see sambhar deer in the distance !!) to a place from which it was a 20-25 minute easy walk through a beautiful path in the forest to the falls. There is an early morning trek to Z-point which we didn't go for, as I was nursing a knee injury. By all accounts that too seems a rewarding experience. Staff (5/5) - as with every JLR property I have visited the staff were extremely polite and helpful. Thanks to Mr. Arun for making our stay pleasant, Mr. Ramesh for the drive to Hebbe Falls and other members of the staff for promptly helping with a smile. Overall highly recomm