Thought I should warn you all about the Hornbill resort. Ths story starts like this. I was searching for a resort to go during the long weekend of 15th Aug. I searched plenty of places but then I could get only Hornbill resort in Amba. I paid the booking amount online of 3k and decided to drive to Amba Ghat on 13th. But last minute I had to cancel as my daughter was not well. So I had to postpone by calling HornBill. They agreed rightaway.
Finally I decided to go on 9, 10 and 11 along with my friend who thought that I have chosen the best resort. So we both drove with our cars to Amba. Here starts the problem.
On reaching Amba Valley, there were no clear signs to the so called Hornbill resort as the sign was already covered with muck. In fact, we could not locate the Hornbill board and drove till Amba ghat way ahead. we had to rurn back in search. On finally reaching the resort, we were surprised to see some house that was being called as a a resort.
The water was covering every part hallway and was damp. There were some German Shepherd dogs and lab's that were stinking. Floor wipes were lying around. Mr Gupte welcomed us and then directed us to so called deluxe rooms that were not even worth being called as resort room. On reaching the rooms, there were dog's pug marks on the white sheet of the extra bed that was laid out. The bathrooms doors looked as if if it need to be replaced rather than repainted. On opening the washroom, the muck was lying all around including rats and lizards yuck lying around. It seemed that it had not been cleaned for some time now. We were all shocked but then thought we may have to look at lunch.
Finally we gathered some strength and managed to go for the lunch that was already delayed by our late arrival. We managed to walk into the dining area where there were some hens flocking around. The glass tables seemed to be un-clean. After the rooms and the dining area experience, we were worried about the food, but fortunately that turned out to be better experience(While Non veg fare was good, the veg fare was mediocore.)
After completing the food, we decided to go to Manoli dam, while sitting on the top of the Tempo Trax. The view and drive was good but we were worried what would happen at night and we would have to spend some 3 days in such a bad place. All money down the drain. after lot of deliberation and downing some glasses of wine and beer we decided to call off our trip the next day and start back home or take on to a different resort.
Morning time we again got into to the Trax (along with two more families with their perplexed faces) and started for Marleshwar. After a drive of 28kms we reached Marleshwar(some 14-15 people) in 1 trax. The trip and the view was again undoubtedly good. While starting back, the traffic cops stopped us for illegal usage of Trax. The driver was fined some 700Rs. Oh yes forgot to mention the leaking Trax when it rained.
Finally on reaching back to the so called resort, we bid bye to Mr Sunil Gupte and started for our homes again.
I would like to note the following points about this resort
1. Extremely unclean(agreed weather is not conducive at this time of the year but basic cleanliness is required). Place is infested with rats, cockroaches. They might end up eating your soap, food etc. It happened when we had gone out usual resort soap was missing. After some time, same happened to my friend. We then found that rats come in the washroom to pick up these eatable soaps.
2. Dangerous rides need to be taken at your own risk(eg: sitting in a frame on the top of a trax). Common sight in Amba. I would prefer safety over such riskiness.
3. Food was over all mediocore.
4. Place is helpful to babies and kids when they require special meals or likes of sterilizing bottles etc. But all these points cannot and will not be able to hide the fact that the place was extremely unclean.
While Mr Sunil Gupte harps about his so called great visitors and his experiences of being around the world while in Merchant Navy and this being his tenth business venture(some of them hotels in Mumbai), I was surprised to note his lack of cleanliness at his resort that could be compared only to Lalit Bhanot of the CWG scam. And all this at a price of 1500 Rs per person per night. He may even add some 0.5 days in case you have an additional lunch.
The prob with this resort is that
1. Does not seem to be a resort all. Looks more like a big converted house. I was not expecting great luxury but having rats eating our soaps and water around was not being my idea of a resort
2. Rooms were damp and were stinking. Agreed bed sheets do not dry, there are other ways to make keep the resort good smelling
3. Dog's pug marks on my bed. Unforgivable.
4. Vegetation growth everywhere. If resort wants customers, they should surely cut the vegetation down and make it look beautiful
All I feel is that this resort is trying to make money by giving a false picture on its website...
Let me know if some one has experienced this resort.