Showing posts with label Resort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resort. Show all posts

December 29, 2019

My TripAdvisor Review No.574: Club Mahindra Cherai Resort, Kerala.

Idyllic Beach Holiday.


We had a very relaxed and idyllic beach holiday at Club Mahindra’s Cherai Beach. Located on Vypin Island just north of Fort Kochi it would be difficult to locate if we did not have Google maps. It is situated on a narrow strip of land between the vast Arabian Sea on the western side and the backwaters in the east. There is sufficient parking space in the resort.

The resort is well spread out with plenty of greenery and palm trees. There are beautiful water bodies inside the resort, which include a swimming pool and a pond where they raise their own fish to be served in the specialty seafood restaurant, ‘Meen Kada’. There were deck chairs around the pool and separate towels provided.

In addition to ‘Meen Kada’, there are two more restaurants, ‘Yavanapriya’ which serves buffet and Malabari cuisine, and ‘Aromi Di Italia’ which serves Italian dishes. There is a Spa and an Activity Centre for the kids both young and grown up. A house boat is on stand-by and can be rented for a pleasure ride on the backwaters.

All the cottages are in Tharavadu style and are heritage structures which give a traditional and classical look to the resort. The rooms are sufficiently large and well maintained with good air-conditioning and soft mattresses and furnishings, a large flat-screen TV, cupboard, tea/coffee maker with sachets provided, a bottle cooler, dressing table, a large bathroom and a sit-out balcony where we enjoyed our morning cuppa. There was no microwave oven though.

The service was very friendly and efficient, and the food was reasonably spicy and tangy. We did not go for the buffet but ordered ala-carte. On the first night we had Appams with the ‘Karimeen Pollichathu’, a fish caught from the pond and slow cooked in banana leaf. “Meen Kadu’ is an open air restaurant with an open kitchen and the fish was prepared in front of us. It was an unique dining experience.

The swimming pool was very clean and well maintained by the enthusiastic pool attendant, Madhav. It was almost like an infinity pool with one side overlooking the backwaters and the houseboat. We would walk out to the beach in the evenings to witness a glowing sunset.

All in all we had a good, relaxing and rejuvenating stay at the Cherai Beach Resort, and would love to visit again.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

September 17, 2019

My TripAdvisor Review No.493: MacKay Bay Lodge, Bamfield, Vancouver Island, BC.

Coastal Paradise.


Located at the western edge of Vancouver Island, the small town of Bamfield is as remote as one can get on this beautiful island. MacKay Bay Lodge is at the remote end of Beale Cape Road in West Bamfield, where the roads are not even paved.

Cheryl came to receive us at the docks and carted us along with our luggage in her ATV to the lodge. The lodge has a beautiful setting at the edge of the rain forest and overlooking the fishing dock with the serene waters of the Bamfield Inlet. She made us feel at home in our cosy room, which had an additional couple of bunk beds for kids. In the kitchen cum dining room there was a dining table and chairs, chest of drawers, fridge, microwave oven, kettle, wash basin with some crockery, and a sofa. Even though it was summer we needed to turn on the heater at night.

Breakfast, lunch and supper were included in the stay package. In addition we could visit the kitchen for some snacks or hot and cold drinks and tea and coffee sachets were available at any time of the day. Nancy would always prepare an excellent breakfast and we had an omelette with bacon, spinach, green onion and cheese on the first day, followed by grapefruit and coffee. A variety of cereals were also available. Lunch and dinner were three course meals consisting of a salad, a fish, chicken or meat dish with roast potato and followed by yummy dessert. Nancy and Sue really pampered us with a lot of goodies.

Cheryl would help us to plan our day. After breakfast I went for a leisurely walk to the beautiful Brady’s beach about 3 km away, and returned via the boardwalk along the harbour. In the evening Cheryl arranged for a boat ride with Robbie who took us further into the inlet where we saw a Mamma Bear with her Baby Bear on the far shore feeding on the grass.

Most of the other regular guests who visit here are into sport fishing and they regaled us with their fishing exploits and whale spotting for the day. There is a hot tub where they can relax and recover after a long day on the cold waters. We enjoyed our two day stay by just walking along the harbour and the forest, eating, drinking and sleeping to our hearts content. The atmosphere was very peaceful, serene and calming and it was a joy to just sit outside or upstairs on the veranda during sunset.

We were sad to leave when Brain dropped us back in the ATV to catch the boat back to Port Alberni.

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Date of stay: August 2019
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

March 19, 2019

My TripAdvisor Review No.437: Chalston Beach Resort, Calangute, Goa.

A Pleasant Goan Experience.


Chalston Beach Resort is an excellent stay option at Calangute. It is located between Calangute and Baga beaches, and one can walk straight on to the sands to take a long barefoot walk on either side of the resort. Their restaurant is also located overlooking the beach and we enjoyed our dinners in the open air with the sea breeze to keep us cool.

The rooms are set in lush green gardens with a lot of trees, flowering, and ornamental plants and bushes all around. There were many idols and statuettes strategically placed in the gardens to enhance the feelings of peace and serenity.

The ac rooms themselves are well furnished with king size bed, built-in cupboard with a digital safe, LCD TV, a small fridge, tea/coffee maker, coffee table with sofa and bedside tables with reading lamps. The bathrooms are adequate with soap, shampoo and even a shaving kit provided, but no dental kit. We had a sit-out adjacent to the garden, while the upper floors had individual balconies.

The swimming pool was medium sized (14x7 meters) but very clean and inviting, with a pool bar where we could get snacks and drinks. Sun loungers were provided by the poolside and near the restaurant. There are table tennis table and billiards table, and a foose ball table near the restaurant.

We were served complimentary breakfast at the restaurant which included Indian items like Idli, Upma, Pongal, Puri Bhaji, Paratha as well as the Continental items like eggs, pork sausages, fruit, cornflakes, toast and Goan breads like pao and pui which could be toasted to our liking, followed by tea, coffee or juice.

We had a pleasant and peaceful 3 days stay at Chalston, and we did not feel that we were in one of the most crowded and buzzing beaches of Goa. The friendly and helpful staff made our stay even more comfortable.
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Date of stay: March 2019
Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

March 16, 2019

My TripAdvisor Review No.436: Chalston Restaurant, Calangute, Goa.

Best Beach Restaurant in Calangute.


Chalston Restaurant which belongs to the Chalston Beach Resort is by far one of the best open-air beach restaurants in Calangute. It is just abutting the beach, but on a slightly raised level and away from the crowds on the popular and crowded beach. There were well-trimmed lawns and beautiful greenery around and the restaurant had a thatched roof which gave it a charming rustic look.

We were served with a variety of local seafood as well as vegetarian dishes. The taste was authentic Goan but not too spicy. Mughlai and Tandoori dishes were also available, as well as many Continental dishes. Cocktails and mocktails were also available along with the regular drinks at dinner.

On specials occasions and weekends they have a live band with dancing.

As we were staying at the resort we were served with sumptuous breakfast every morning. We would have idli chutney one day, Pongal or Upma on another day, or Puri bhaji. In addition, we could have eggs with sausages, parathas or dosas from the live counter. We could toast our own bread, pao or pui and have it with butter or cheese. Fruit juice, tea, and coffee were there to wash it all down with.

The service was impeccable, with the waiters ready to help you with your requests. This place is definitely one of the best beach restaurants in Calangute to have a nice relaxed meal.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

December 21, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.399: Vythiri Village Resort, Wayanad, Kerala.

Serene Green Resort in the Wayanad Wilderness


Vythiri Village Resort is located in the eponymous town in the Wayanad district of Kerala. It’s entrance is just off the NH766, which goes to Kozhikode. The lane leading to the gates is very narrow, so one needs to go slow after spotting their signboard which directs you turn off the highway after 50 meters.

Check-in was quick. After parking our car in the huge parking lot we were taken to our room, about a km away, in a resort van. Our room was on the second floor, with a nice view from the glass window, overlooking the river and the hanging bridge, with the hills as a backdrop.

The resort is well spread out over 30 acres of greenery and large trees, located at the base of the hills, and has a small tributary of the Kabini River running through it. There is a hanging bridge which leads to an artificial waterfall and the Infinity pool. But the path leading to infinity pool was steep and rocky, and I found the regular pool, next to the hanging bridge, much better for long swims. Every morning they arrange a complimentary Nature Walk, where a guide takes you outside for a walk in the plantations.

There are a variety of rooms, including the Pool Villas, Jacuzzi Villas, Cottages, Suites and Duplex Suites. As Club Mahindra members we were allotted the deluxe rooms, which had ac, flat-screen TV, e-safe, fridge, tea maker, wardrobe, telephone and wi-fi. Toiletries included a dental kit, besides soap, shampoo and body lotion.

Service was impeccable, and they provided sachets of tea, coffee, milk and sugar or ‘Sugar Free’. The three restaurants; ‘Sky Restaurant’, ‘Tea Garden’ and ‘House Boat’ were under maintenance and not in operation, but there was one main restaurant called ‘Spice Bowl’ where they served ala-carte as well as buffet meals. The tariff was on the higher side but the taste of the Kerala dishes was good. There were very few options to dine out in Vythiri itself, but there were some good restaurants in Kalpetta which is about 10 km away.

There were some good activities in the resort. Swimming, walking, zip lining, trekking, shooting, archery and spa were some of the popular ones. There is also an artist who sketches your portrait, as well as a painter.

The few cons of the resort were; there was some construction activity of a new block of rooms which spoiled the view from the window, and there was some water seepage from the vestibule ceiling, probably from the ac, in the passage near the main door of our room.

But we did enjoy our three days stay, and had a calm and relaxed time, with some sight-seeing.

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Date of stay: December 2018
  • Trip type: Traveled as a couple
    • Value
    • Sleep Quality
    • Service

December 4, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.396: Wilson's Cafe, Mahabaleshwar.

Good Dinner Buffet.


Wilson’s Cafe is the main restaurant in ‘Saj On The Mountain’ resort, which is located about 7 km before Mahabaleshwar, on the Panchgani Mahabaleshwar Road. It is an open air café and serves buffet as well as ala-carte meals for breakfast and dinner.

We were staying at the resort and decided to go for the all day dining option, which includes breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner at a discounted rate. It is a pure vegetarian restaurant.

They say that one should eat breakfast like a king. I started with a small glass of fresh pineapple juice and ended with 2 glasses of butterscotch milkshake. In between I had 2 parathas with dahi, 2 palak idlis, 1 wada, 1 masala dosa, some upma and poha and some fruit and sprouts to start with. All the items were very nutritious and tasty.

Lunch was in a separate restaurant called ‘Fasal’ where we were served a sumptuous Gujarathi thali.

Buffet dinner was served at Wilson’s Café again. We started with Vg Manchow Soup with fried noodles. Then we had Veg Fried Rice with garlic flavored gravy, honey chilly potato, sprouts, salad, a Florentine potato pasta, tikis, dahi wada and Burritos. I did not have the conventional subji-roti though it was there. We followed it up with some sweet dishes like chocolate ice-cream, goju sweet and a khajur rabdi. I got full till I was bursting at the seams. Not good for the diabetics, but one can’t resist the temptation of good food.

Service was very good and there were about three or four waiters ready to serve with a second helping. Price is on the higher side if you are only here for a single meal, or ala-carte, but more affordable for us since we had joined the all-day dining plan. They have a different menu every day.

We enjoyed the meal and ate till we could hardly walk after the meal.
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    • Value
    • Service
    • Food
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

October 1, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.373: Sakrebailu Elephant Camp, Shimoga, Karnataka. Have Fun With The Elephants.

Sakrebailu Elephant Camp is on the route from Bangalore to Shimoga. It is in a forest area next to the Tunga River, and there is also a jungle resort run by Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Karnataka State, where you can spend a few days and make friends with the pachyderms.

On the way to Shimoga we passed a caravan of the elephants going for their lunch away from the camp. By the time we reached the camp it was closed. They are very strict about the visitors timing which is from 8.30 am to 11.30 am. We have to pay ₹30 for entry, ₹100 for bathing, and ₹75 for a ride on the elephant. We got to see the camp but the elephants had all disappeared for their meals, as we saw on the way.

It is a good place to visit in the forest, and interact with the elephants up close and personal.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

August 9, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.355: Anando Palms Resort, Hatgad. Excellent Resort Away From The Hustle Bustle.

Anando Palms Resort is now being managed by Club Mahindra Holidays and Resorts. At the entrance you will see the board of Club Mahindra Hatgad, but the name of Anando Palms is also there. Hence the full name of this resort would read as ‘Club Mahindra Anando Palms, Hatgad’.

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.

It is a very peaceful and serene place to spend a few days away from the hustle and bustle of city life. There is a beautiful lawn and garden at the centre of the resort where we would put up our feet and relax on the charpoys which had been thoughtfully laid out on the lawns. Bicycles were available for hire for the more energetic guests. There is a small swimming pool for the kids in one corner of the campus just behind the souvenir shop.

The restaurant was serving good buffet for the guests, though we preferred the ala-carte dishes. We would drive up to Saputara to have a Gujarati thali for lunch and return to our ac room for an afternoon siesta. Our studio room had all the mod cons like microwave, electric kettle, lcd tv, hair dryer and aircon. There was a nice sit-out for our morning cuppa.

It is better if you have your own vehicle so that you can drive to Saputara whenever you like. Hiring the local cabs can be quite expensive for short trips.

We quite enjoyed our relaxing stay at the resort.
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  • Stayed: June 2018, travelled as a couple
    • Location
    • Rooms
    • Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

August 2, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.353: MTDC Holiday Resort, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik.


Decent Resort With Lots Of Greenery, 1 km from Temple.

This is a resort run by Sanskruti Group in collaboration with MTDC. It is about 1 km from the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, so it is away from the noise and dust of main town, which is always bustling with pilgrims from all over India.

We had booked our room on the MTDC website, so our check-in was quick and easy. Our room was quite large, in fact there were two rooms with 2 double beds, so it can accommodate 4 guests. There was a wooden cupboard and dressing table, small lcd tv, a writing table and 2 bedside tables. The air conditioner was working well, and we had to switch it off in the night as the climate was pleasant after the rain. The bathroom was spacious, but a broken health faucet had not been repaired. Towel and soap was provided but no toilet paper. Hot water was switched on at 7 am by the staff.

We had our dinner at the resort’s restaurant which was housed in a shed in the garden. The restaurant was not very clean, but the food was quite tasty and the prices were reasonable. We had a friendly dog and an unfriendly goose for company, though they kept their distance. Next morning’s tea was not ready at 7.30 am so I walked to a nearby stall to bring our tea back in a thermos flask.

The resort is good enough for an overnight stay. Cars can be parked just outside the rooms. It is very near the Brahmagiri Hill, and the trek to the hilltop starts from the back gate of the resort. The ambience of the resort is green and serene.
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  • Stayed: June 2018, travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Sleep Quality
    • Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

July 12, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.339: Chitrakoot Hill Resort, Saputara.

Excellent Gujarati Thali.

As you travel towards Saputara you will see the sign boards of ‘Chitrakoot Hill Resort’ by the roadside, and the directions of how to reach there. It is on the main road very near to Sunset Point. We decided to try out their Gujarati Thali which they advertise for Rs.139.

We parked outside their gate. It is actually a decent sized hotel with a very well planned campus and layout at different levels. As we entered we noticed the gardens with lots of trees and green foliage, with life size replicas of animals like elephant, deer and chital. There was a nice playground for kids, and they have a swimming pool as well.

Their dining room was on the first floor next to the reception. It was well laid out, neat and clean though not air conditioned. We got a corner table next to the open windows overlooking the gardens and the hills beyond.

Their simple Gujarati thali had two vegetables, dal, chapatti, rice, papad and pickle. We decided to have their special thali with additional farsan and sweet dish, which costs slightly more. Punjabi Thali and ala carte dishes were also available. The food was good, without extra oil and spices, and tasted like home food. The service was also very prompt and friendly. We quite enjoyed our meal.

Although we did not spend the night here, we liked the ambience and surroundings of the hotel, and made a mental note to stay at Chitrakoot Hill Resort on our next visit to Saputara.
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  • Stayed: June 2018, travelled as a couple
    • Value
    • Location
    • Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

July 4, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.331: Mazzale Restaurant, Saputara.

Enjoyed Their Sizzler.

Mazzale Restaurant is located in the basement of Shilpi Hill Resort, near Saputara Lake. The resort has a nice garden and sufficient parking space for walk-in diners too.

The ac restaurant was quite spacious, but still had a cosy ambience, with the blinds drawn to keep out the afternoon heat. We wanted to have their Gujarati Thali, but found it to be a bit expensive, so we decided to share a Chinese Sizzler. It was a good choice, as it was quite healthy with all the vegetables as well as some rice and noodles thrown in. Service was courteous but a bit slow. By the time they served us all the steam had sizzled away.

They serve buffet meals, as well as ala-carte. Prices are reasonable, maybe on the slightly higher side.

We quite enjoyed the sizzler and it was quite filling too.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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
    • Value
    • Sleep Quality
    • Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

May 8, 2018

My TripAdvisor Review No.325: Club Mahindra Virajpet, Coorg.

Rain Forest Paradise.

This was our second Visit to Club Mahindra Virajpet in the Coorg district of Karnataka. As usual we drove down from Bangalore via Mysore, Hunsur, and Gonikoppal and Virajpet town. The last part of the road, about 4 km, was still in a bad condition even though it had been under repairs on our last trip.

We wanted to be woken up by bird song in the morning, so I asked our guide, Ishika, for a room next to the forest. She obliged and allotted us a room in the Albatross Wing (each wing is named after a species of butterfly) with a ‘plantation view’. It overlooked the coffee plantation and the dense forest of trees beyond. We could hear the barbets and bulbuls twittering in the branches from the nice sit-out. Appanna helped us with our luggage and drove us down to our room, after parking our car in the parking lot.

Our ac studio room was well furnished with a king size bed and another folding bed. There was an LCD TV, microwave oven, electric kettle, and crockery and cutlery in the dry kitchenette. There is a round dining table with three chairs, and we could rustle up a quick meal with some of the ready to eat food packets we had brought with us. Once we ordered a meal which was delivered to us by their ‘Gourmet Express’. Of course there was the option of two good restaurants as well, one serving buffet (Aromas) and the other ala carte (Coorgenburg). The house keeping service was excellent, and Nasir was ever obliging and took good care of us. One evening he gave us a pleasant surprise by decorating our room with balloons and buntings. There was a complimentary cake on our table with Anniversary wishes even though the event was in the next month.

There is a nice big swimming pool and a fun-zone with plenty of activities for the kids. There is a gym and spa, and a shop named ‘Wolf-Pack’ where we bought some souvenirs. There are many activities organised for the mornings, and entertainment in the evenings, and one can never get bored even if you don’t go out for sight-seeing.

There are no decent restaurants outside within a radius of 5 km of the resort. One can buy basic necessities like eggs, bread, biscuits and junk snacks, from a small shop near the parking lot.

For sight-seeing we visited a Ganesh temple and St. Anne’s church in Virajpet (13 km), the Igguthappa temple, Nalknad Palace and Thadiandamol peak (22 km), Iruppu Falls (60 km), and Nagarhole (65 km). Other popular places of Coorg are closer to Madikeri (40 km).

We enjoyed our stay in Club Mahindra Virajpet. It is more a like place where you can come, switch off your digital devices and just chill out, enjoy the beauties of nature, and go for long walks into the plantations.
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Room Tip: Ask for a 'plantation view' room if you like to be woken up by bird song.
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  • Stayed: February 2018, travelled as a couple
    • Sleep Quality
    • Cleanliness
    • Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC