June 30, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.328: Club Mahindra, Hatgad, near Saputara.

Excellent Getaway in the Middle of Nowhere.

This resort is located at the border of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The main attraction is the hill town of Saputara, which is 6 km away, and the only hill station of Gujarat. Nashik is the nearest city about 80 km south, and the road to Saputara from Nashik passes through Dindori, Vani and Borgaon. Shivaji’s fort of Hatgad is on top of a hill very close to the resort and one can trek up to the ruined fort from the resort.

We spent a leisurely 4 days at the resort enjoying the calm and serene atmosphere in the mornings. We would drive up to Saputara and explore the various points, the lake, the ropeway, and the temples; then have a Gujarati thali lunch at one of the hill resorts in Saputara, and come back to the Club and relax on the lawn or the terrace in the evening. The swimming pool at the resort was much too small for a proper swim, and would anyway be crowded with kids and their dads teaching them how to float. The lawn in the centre is a major attraction and they had laid out chairs, benches and charpoys for people to relax on. There was a Fun-Zone with all the indoor games like snooker, table-tennis, chess and carom, and bicycles were available for hire to ride around the campus. The main attraction for the small kids was the trampoline, and I saw some grown-up kids enjoying it too. For the ladies there is a nice Souvenir Shop, which had sarees, kurtas, salwar-kameez, onyx show pieces and chess sets, and other Rajasthani artefacts.

Our studio room was spacious and air conditioned, with a small sit-out. There was a large flat screen TV, electric kettle, a microwave oven, two sofas, coffee table, and a large cupboard. The bathroom was well stocked with hand and shower gel, hair dryer and an enclosed shower area.

House-keeping service was very prompt and efficient, and would replenish our tea, coffee, milk powder and sugar-free sachets at short notice. Kishore, Bhojprakash, and Ajaz were very helpful and friendly. We had an ala-carte meal at the restaurant and enjoyed the 'chicken methi' dish with naan. We did not do all day buffet dining as we would visit Saputara for lunch, and the buffet was way too expensive for our small appetites.

It is better to drive to this resort in your own vehicle as there is not much to do nearby, except climb up to the Hatgad Fort. Saputara is a 10 minute drive and we would drive up once a day, sight-see, have lunch and return for a snooze in the afternoon. There is parking space for about 30 cars near the gate, and during weekends the cars would spill out of the resort, but security was good, so no complaint on that score.

All in all we had a good time at Club Mahindra Hatgad.
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  • Stayed: June 2018, travelled as a couple
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

June 29, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.327: Sula Vineyards, Nashik.

Intoxicating Place to Visit.

Sula Vineyards is one of the best secular attractions around Nashik. Only people who worship good food, wine, and appreciate fabulous scenery should visit this place. The only temple to visit here is the Winery, and they periodically have a musical ‘mela’ called the ‘Sulafest’.

Sula is located about 15 km from Nashik on the Gangapur Road, and we could see the waters of the Gangapur Lake from the estate. There are huge farmlands where they grow their grapes. Entry to the estate is free, but we had to pay for their wine tour and tasting. There are also 3 fine dining restaurants, ‘Soma’, ‘Little Italy’ and ‘The Tasting Room’ on the premises, and we could taste their wines in ‘The Tasting Room’ along with snacks and lunch, without taking the tour. It is in an open balcony with a great view of the vineyards and the Gangapur Lake. Prices are on the high side and service was slow.

We also visited their resort ‘The Source at Sula’ which was like a Spanish hacienda, where one can stay. It has luxurious rooms and tree houses, set in a courtyard with extensive gardens, as well as a swimming pool and tennis court; a good place to relax and unwind.

The place gets very crowded on the weekends, and it is better to visit on a weekday. There is a large open ground for parking, just outside the gates.

As we were leaving we visited their ‘Gift & Bottle Shop’ where you can buy your favorite wine. We picked up some T-shirts and chocolates as souvenirs.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

June 28, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.326: Teerth Villa, Nashik.

Much Like A Home Stay.

We stopped here for a night on our way to Saputara from Pune. It is located near Pathardi Phata, and we had to take a left turn about 8 km before entering Nashik city from the Pune – Nashik highway (NH-60). We found it in a narrow lane of a residential colony, and parked our car just outside the villa.

We checked into our ground floor room, which was of modest size but well furnished and very neat, clean and well maintained. There was a small flat screen TV, a cupboard, bedside tables and a plastic chair provided. Towels, soaps, shower gel and shampoo, and hot water were available in the bathroom. They also provided free wi-fi, at least in the lobby. Their tariff was very reasonable.

We had dinner in their dining hall after placing the order 2 hours in advance. Since it is small place they only make the meal after getting a prior order, and the food is very tasty and homely. In the morning too, we had a large bowl of poha for breakfast.

Teerth Villa is located very close to the famous Pandavleni Caves which we visited the next morning. On the way from Pune we passed Devlali and got a chance to visit the Regiment of Artillery Museum.

The only downside of this place is that it is located in a narrow lane, so parking can be a problem if they have too many guests. They do not have much of a compound, though it is covered by a pretty garden, and a cage with some birds, mainly small budgerigars.
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  • Stayed: June 2018, travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Rooms
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC