[hvkumar]

Having said what I said, it is great fun to be driving around India! See India before you see the rest of the world, never mind what it costs!

[ampere]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Having said what I said, it is great fun to be driving around India! See India before you see the rest of the world, never mind what it costs!

That is the final statement for me ! Still there exist unexplored places which I want to do.
Either by drive or by train/cabs etc.

[Devil on Wheels]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Having said what I said, it is great fun to be driving around India! See India before you see the rest of the world, never mind what it costs!

Kumar sa'ab, I couldn't have said it better.

Originally Posted by ampere

I totally agree sir! But yes, once in a while its good to soak in a bit of luxury as well! Isnt it?

Thats what I am looking for. Considering the number of vacations I go for (6 to 8 every year, mostly weekend getaways) I have always stayed at budget hotels (1000 to 3500/- types). But just this once I want it to be different. Luxury is the word.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

It is cheaper to fly to Thailand or Malaysia instead of splurging this kind of super-money in the super-resorts in Kerala and Karnataka. With Air Asia, you can get cheap fares, cheaper than what it would cost you to drive a car from Bangalore to Corg!!!!

I did consider Air Asia, but they don't operate from Delhi. Moreover Kuala Lumpur or Phuket can never feature on my travel map. If I ever wish to see more people and large buildings, I would rather go to any metro city in India, kam se kam khana to desi milega.

No offence, but I hate going to cities or even towns, for that matter, to spend my vacations. I would, on any given day prefer Barog over Shimla, Chilianaula over Ranikhet. Smaller places, lesser people, better relaxation.

Originally Posted by ampere

Try Chikmagulur. Gateway or Serai. Amazing experience.

Thanks for the inputs mate. But they look quite similar to Orange County, minus the elephant and boat rides.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Devil on Wheels

Thanks for the inputs mate. But they look quite similar to Orange County, minus the elephant and boat rides.

I did not understand this. I thought you wanted places on the same lines. What if these places come at hill station? They have a double value. The OC location is coorg in the midst of an estate.

Where as in CKM they are on a hillock with amazing views amidst rains. Not sure if you get the same views in OC. This I can safely say, as I have stayed in both places.

Other places to add would be The Taj Gateway and Kurumba Village Resort at Conoor.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by ampere

I totally agree sir! But yes, once in a while its good to soak in a bit of luxury as well! Isnt it?

Very true; I second you on this.

Originally Posted by ampere

By the way Taj has three tiers of hotel chains. The lowest rung is the Gateway series (which is the erstwhile Garden Retreats). For luxury, they used be real VFM. E.g. CKM, Conoor, Madurai, Mangalore etc.

And add Calicut to it. There's a Taj in Calicut & once me & cousin walked upto Taj & even asked way to a cop & the cop said, "Sir beware they're very expensive, would you be able to afford?". Anyway, we went over there, had two buffet dinner & finally went to payment it was pleasing shock. The dinner costed about Rs 145 per head for veg & this was in 2006 Apr.

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Having said what I said, it is great fun to be driving around India! See India before you see the rest of the world, never mind what it costs!

More than true

[zenx]

Around Bangalore ? Coorg, Wayanad, Off-Ooty places, and Munnar offer enough variety to last years, across seasons! Treks, bike rides, just lazing, driving around, take your pick.

If there's more time, Trivandrum is a a very interesting trip to soak up some history, culture around : Kovalam, Kanyakumari, the Palace, temple, and even Ponmudy! If you like that sort of a thing, the VSSC is also a nice visit.

[Devil on Wheels]

Originally Posted by ampere

I did not understand this. I thought you wanted places on the same lines.

Sorry for the misstatement, I'll rephrase.

Taj and CKM is exactly the kind of place I am looking for, but OC has the edge as its closer to wild life. I can go for boat rides/elephant rides/jungle safaris.

I am yet to check out Kurumba, but will check it out for sure. Sounds like a good destination.

Originally Posted by zenx

Around Bangalore ? Coorg, Wayanad, Off-Ooty places, and Munnar offer enough variety to last years, across seasons! Treks, bike rides, just lazing, driving around, take your pick.

If there's more time, Trivandrum is a a very interesting trip to soak up some history, culture around : Kovalam, Kanyakumari, the Palace, temple, and even Ponmudy! If you like that sort of a thing, the VSSC is also a nice visit.

Thanks Zenx, but I want to avoid crowded places. I am more interested in smaller resorts, away from the city/ far away from the crowd.

Originally Posted by aargee

And add Calicut to it. There's a Taj in Calicut & once me & cousin walked upto Taj & even asked way to a cop & the cop said, "Sir beware they're very expensive, would you be able to afford?". Anyway, we went over there, had two buffet dinner & finally went to payment it was pleasing shock. The dinner costed about Rs 145 per head for veg & this was in 2006 Apr.

I have great respect for the Taj and am simply in awe of the brand. But as a child, I had made a promise to my Mom that I will make her stay at the Taj Mahal, Mumbai. Haven't had the oppertunity to fulfill that promise yet, so can't check in to a Taj before her.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by Devil on Wheels

I have great respect for the Taj and am simply in awe of the brand. But as a child, I had made a promise to my Mom that I will make her stay at the Taj Mahal, Mumbai. Haven't had the oppertunity to fulfill that promise yet, so can't check in to a Taj before her.

Right, so you go for Orange county, you'll never regret. IMO, they should be way better than Taj & that comes from my experience on Taj Kovalam, Calicut & Chennai.

[zenx]

Originally Posted by Devil on Wheels

Thanks Zenx, but I want to avoid crowded places. I am more interested in smaller resorts, away from the city/ far away from the crowd.

Coorg/Wayanad/Chikmaglur : You can spend days without seeing anything remotely like a crowd

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by Devil on Wheels

Ha ha ha . I am not sure what kind of resorts/hotels I'll end up in if I venture outside India. Moreover the nationalist in me would rather prefer to boost India' tourism industry rather than spending my hard earned bucks for some other country.

On a more serious note. I did consider Bali, but the cost of Air tickets would eat up more than half my budget.

Sir, I stayed in Phi Phi Island and the Hotel charge was 4.5K(?) per night. Now do you call this a expensive with a private beach and nature all for yourself?

When you compare the homestay prices here [which is always above 2K or even 3K] these are cheaper and more value for money.

Again, with 50K budget, you two can easily have a excellent trip to these places.

Anyway if you are so patriotic, you always have star hotels in India. Have fun.

[Devil on Wheels]

Originally Posted by mjothi

Sir, I stayed in Phi Phi Island and the Hotel charge was 4.5K(?) per night. Now do you call this a expensive with a private beach and nature all for yourself?

4500 per night .

Which resort are you talking about.

BTW I am not looking for VFM, I need a luxurious resort/spa.

Yes I am more biased towards India on any given day, despite all its negatives. And I am proud of it.

[ampere]

Any Options for Goa. There enough 5 Stars with huge luxury value. Though no wild life, but you enjoy sea and para- sailing !

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by Devil on Wheels

4500 per night .

Which resort are you talking about.

BTW I am not looking for VFM, I need a luxurious resort/spa.

Yes I am more biased towards India on any given day, despite all its negatives. And I am proud of it.

Phi Phi Natural Resort - Room Rates

Ya, it did sounded like this for me. But after staying there it was like this.

[jkrishnakj]

There are also a few options of "Tree Houses" in Wayanad areas. These wouldn't have the Spas and other ameneties though.

I normally use the services of "hammockholidays". They have varieties of options that you can choose from and my experience with them have been good so far.

Kurumba resort, which is in between Mettupalayam and Coonoor is a very good option. Their pool is something that you wouldn't want to come out of. Kurumba resort will not fail to keep you pampered.