Author: Prabhith Prabhakaran

I stayed in Hotel Rainbow Suites in Kannur for 2 nights in October 2018.

It’s a minimum distance (20 Rupees) charge in autorickshaw from Kannur Private Bus stand and its very near (you might have to take an auto, though) to the railway station (in Bellard Road)

Positives:

Restaurant is available. In case if you want to try some other restaurants, ‘Chifonets’ is just 1-minute walk from this hotel.

Rooms are clean and comfortable.

This is a Budget hotel.

There is parking space available in front of the hotel. A couple of vehicles can be parked there.

An auto stand is available nearby.

Service was prompt.

Some of the Kannur Attractions are nearby (like Payyambalam beach is 1.5 Kms)

Negatives:

Restaurant food was slightly costly.

I stayed with my Family for two nights in this resort during June 2014.

Though we hear and read a lot of negative reviews about country club, this resort can be considered as an exceptionally different one which can be recommended to anyone who wish to stay in a jungle resort. It’s a well maintained property. Right from Security personal to manager, the staff was really courteous and helpful.

Pros:

a) Located in a very nice place.

b) Food and restaurant was equally good.

c) Staff is good and supportive.

d) Lot of indoor games available.

e) Swimming pool seems to be clean and well maintained.

Cons:

a) There are lot of shows / activities in the evening. Those who stay here for more than 2 days would feel a little bored with the activities, due to its repetitive nature.

b) Network connection is bad (its anyway not in their hands as the whole area in the forest has that issue).

c) There are lot of monkeys around. So be little careful.

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.” – Roy M. Goodman

We stayed at this hotel in November 2015.

Pros:

1. They have a restaurant within the campus and food served was tasty and service was quick.
2. Cottages and Bathrooms are spacious but not maintained well.
3. Majority of the rooms are of cottage type and a good garden is been maintained in the front side.
4. Staff was helpful and they have helped us with some contacts while we visited Mookabika temple.
5. Resort is on the Road side (there is not much noise or other disturbances). The attractions like Gokarna OM beach is not so far (around 10-15kms, I guess).

Both AC and NON AC cottages are available.

Cons:

1. I believe this Resort is not maintained properly. The old glory is not there anymore.
2. Bathroom Maintenance was very poor and obviously it was not that clean (not sure about other cottages).
3. Wi-Fi is not available in the room.
4. Not a place for those not having their own vehicle.
5. Be a little careful as lot of stray dogs are there in and around the resort.

Overall, we feel Makara Village is an average property. Its not a beach resort. Carry a Hand sanitizer and if possible, an insect repellent.

One line summary:

 Budget Cottages which needs some better maintenance.

I had stayed with my family, here in November 2015.

Seems like this was one of the best and most loaded hotel, once upon a time.

But now that glory has been completely lost.

We stayed here one night and was very much disappointed with the stay.

They have a restaurant but it’s very costly, infact highly overpriced. You have tons of other options available. Need renovation ASAP.

Pros:

Its very near to Railway Station and not much far from Bus stand.
Staff was Nice and Attentive.

One Line Summary –>  Not recommended, Multiple other options available nearby in that price range.

“To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley

Pros:

a) Very nice and well maintained resort.

b) Walkable distance to the river.

c) They arrange coracle and Bullock cart ride (obviously with some additional charges).

d) A lot of trees/plants within the premise (natural surroundings).

e) Swimming Pool is really big.

f) Staffs are very polite and helpful.

g) All cottages have a Jacuzzi (Open air), which is something special that red earth is offering.

h) Property is managed well.

Cons:

a) Restaurant –> Takes a lot of time to serve food after the order is placed. But food was tasty.

b) The 2 Kms road from the Main road to the resort is terrible.

c) Overall the room rent is higher, but no offence meant as this is the same case with all the resorts in Kabini (Minimum 7000-8000+/Night).

Pros:

Parking space is available within the premise.

Have a decent restaurant.

Location of the hotel is nice. It is situated in the ghat road from Madikeri and is little far from the city center.

Front facing rooms offer a good view point.

Cons:

Have to call on to the reception multiple times for arranging the Bath towels in room.

If you are not coming with own transportation, you will find it difficult to move around.

Wifi is not available in the rooms, I guess.

One Line Summary: A decent place to stay.. Specifically, ask for a room with a scenic view

We were one of the first groups who have stayed in Belachikatte home stay.

When we booked this, we were a little worried how it would be because there were no reviews available about the same. We (2 families) stayed here for a day in November 2015, on our way to Kollur and Gokarna.

Known for King Cobras and heavy rainfalls, Agumbe is one of the best places (full of mountains and good roads) that I had visited in Karnataka.

Naveen and Family (Owners) have given this new house for home-stay purpose. It basically contains 3 Bedrooms (Non AC type). Their family house and their farms are quite near to this property.

Points to Improve:

a) Some more amenities like Children play area.

b) A name board on the road side, else it would be really tough for the travelers to figure it out.

Tips:

Please ensure that you have enough fuel in your car as there are no Petrol Pumps available in Agumbe town.

Only 3 rooms, all are of same type.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

We were all non-vegetarians and normally they serve chicken as a part of the non-veg menu. On our special request, resort owner (thanks to Vishwanatha) arranged his people to catch fish from the nearby river and the same was prepared for us. We really loved the home cooked food.

Mr. Vishwanatha used to visit us to enquire, if things are fine within the resort in terms of food and stay. Really courteous and friendly. He is one of the very famous agriculturist in Shimoga region and we always had a feeling that we were staying in one of the safest homestays. Most of the attractions within Shimoga are not far from this resort. Booking was done prior by transferring money to their bank account for which they had provided a proper confirmation.

One Line Summary: A well maintained Home stay facing river Tunga, near to Shimoga City Center. Highly Recommended.

“The journey not the arrival matters.” – T.S. Eliot

We booked our rooms very late, may be tat’s the reason I felt it was a little overpriced.

Pros:

1. Overall the Home stay was good. Probably one of the very few home stays having a swimming pool. Pool is well maintained. There is a tree house and should be worth I guess.
2. The property is huge. They arrange camp fire in the evening.
3. Please don’t expect any hill top view. There are some very good paintings on the trees within the campus. Very near to Buddhist Monastery.

Cons:

1.  Coorg is known for PORK delicacies but they never served any Pork items (was a little disappointed that they even didn’t ask us, about the same)
2. The way to the homestay is not so good. You have to pass through a small village (narrow road) to get there.

Can plan for a visit to the following places:

• Buddhist Monastery
• Dubare Elephant camp
• Mandalpatti
• Abbi Falls(not so worth)
• East End hotel(for some good food)
• Coorg Cuisine(For authentic Pork items) and Nisargadhama (not so worth)

One Line Summary: Good Homestay, but a little disappointing location, a little overpriced too…

We stayed in this home stay during May 2015.

Chikmagalur as such doesn’t have much attractions, So its very important that you select a nice place to stay.

Without a second thought, I would say Thippanahalli home stay will definitely be an ideal place.

Starting from the way the owners greet the guests, everything in this homestay is pleasing.

PROS:

1. Courteous staff
2. Very neat and clean place
3. They take you for a walk in their coffee plantations, which would be a new experience
4. Kent & Sandromon rooms face Mullayanagiri peak
5. Location is very nice. You can plan your trip to Mullayanagiri in the morning itself.
6. Well Maintained garden
7. They serve whole day food and unlimited coffee.Food is tasty and they ensure to change the menu on a daily basis.

CONS:

1. Nothing much but I would say that Mobile access is very limited (in a way, its good).
2. ATM’s are 5-6 KMS away

It would be really bad if I don’t mention Arun’s name(from caretaker to everything), He ensures that all guests are having a good time here (even in case, where the owner is out of station).

Places worth visiting:

Mullayanagiri hills and the temple on top of that

Babu Budangiri view point

Butter milk waterfalls and the jeep journey till that place.

Belur and Haleibidu temples(on the way to Bangalore)