Had been to Mahabaleshwar before and is one of my favourite weekend getaways form Mumbai because of STRAWBERRIES!! Feb is one of the best time to go there and so after 4years, we landed there in the same dates as our last visit. Hotels are now a plenty compared to 2009 with Keys apparently one of the best properties there but a little too high priced. Citrus was highly recommended and we booked it – damages 19.5K for 3 adults + 1 child in one superior room with breakfast. A little expensive, but worth the price compared to the terrible hotels there at lower price. The property was an old colonial bungalow renovated and expanded to be a decent sized hotel. Check in was smooth and the room did not disappoint. A large room with a sofa and double bed – spacious enough to fit in an extra bed. Very clean and basic, with a fairly priced mini bar. The amenities were not enough for 3 guests so we had to chase for that.
What stood out about the place was the smiling and friendly staff, especially the ones at the restaurant. They checked and enquired regularly about how we were enjoying our stay and were really bothered about ratings guests give. Not seen such ownership even in 5* hotels … The breakfast was also excellent – the feature being cut strawberries. Okay – not surprising when we are in Mahabaleshwar, but I am talking about the sweetest strawberries I have had in my life. Specially supplied from an organic farm, these were the highlight and we gorged on bowlful of just raw strawberries for breakfast. A very decent spread with options of omlettes etc.
Only negative feedback was about the dinner where we were shocked to get a bill for Rs. 500 for 10 small thin phulkas (roti/Indian bread). We did not check before ordering but this rate was simply ridiculous for the small home size roti’s which should not be priced more than Rs. 15/20 ea (even expensive stand-alone restaurants in Mumbai don’t charge as much). Once bitten, we had all our meals outside.
Stayed February 2013, travelled with family
–Jayanta