Bison River Resort

The noise at night was the worst part. A group of drunk guests took over the fireplace seating and spent from about 9:30 until 11:45 shouting, whistling, dancing, and blasting music. We couldn't sleep until midnight, even though we needed to leave early. We came with our cat after being told pets were allowed, but when my mother mentioned it, the owner reacted with surprise and rudely asked how a pet could be in her premium room. She apologized later, though it still made the stay worse. The reception also didn't ask us for ID at check-in, which seemed like a security concern. We only stayed one night, then cut our trip short and went home. We'd driven eight and a half hours to Dandeli and had told reception in advance to have our room ready, but staff were still cleaning it when we arrived tired and hoping to rest. On the way upstairs we saw garbage piled beside the stairs. The AC in that room didn't work, so we were moved to a ground-floor room and had to carry our luggage downstairs. That room had an unusable wash basin, and the bathroom was dirty and unhygienic, with broken shower handles and other fittings. Staff offered yet another room change after we'd unpacked, but we were too exhausted to move again. There was dust under the bed and on the blankets and curtains. I'm allergic to dust and started sneezing as soon as I got under the blanket. There was no TV or intercom, and no room service even for tea or coffee, so everything had to be fetched from the dining hall. That added to the hassle when all we wanted was tea in our room. Staff came across as apathetic and arrogant throughout. We had planned to continue to coastal Karnataka and Gokarna, but the experience left us without the mood or appetite to explore. I wouldn't recommend this place to couples or families; it didn't seem set up for us.

Salim deserves a special mention. He was polite, quick to help, and kept checking that we were comfortable, which made the stay feel smooth and memorable. Bison Resort in Dandeli itself was peaceful and well maintained, with a refreshing atmosphere. Our room was clean and the food was delicious. I'd happily recommend it for a Dandeli break, whether you're travelling with friends, family, a partner, or on your own.

Being right by the water activities meant we didn't have to travel elsewhere to try them, which was a real plus. Tanu was very friendly and helped arrange cabs and guide us around the sightseeing spots. The rooms were clean, the food was good, and the staff were all well behaved. We had a memorable stay and a great trip.

The food was good, though the choices were limited, and it was the only part of our stay we enjoyed. Everything else was disappointing. My family and I stayed at Bison River Resort, Dandeli from 2nd February 2026 to 4th February 2026. It was my first visit to Dandeli, and after looking at the online photos, reviews, and 3-star rating, I expected a comfortable family stay. The reality fell far short. The advertised games were unavailable: carrom, archery, chess, UNO cards, ludo, and business games. The pool wasn't well maintained, and despite the supervisor's assurances, its water wasn't cleaned or changed during our stay. I repeatedly asked to speak with the manager, but was told they weren't available. A lady supervisor did what she could, including letting my child try zorbing, but no manager ever contacted me despite promises. Messages to the booking number were read and ignored. The restaurant was in poor shape. Nobody greeted or guided us at lunch, staff were on their phones, and tables had leftover food and uncleared plates. The table linen had visible mould. I had to clean a table myself so my family could eat, which was embarrassing. The hand-wash area and restrooms were dirty too. Around the property, plastic waste, diapers, and bottles were scattered about, and exposed wires were hanging in various places. Our room was barely acceptable and didn't feel like a 3-star standard. The bed linens were stained, there was no setup for hot drinking water or coffee and tea sachets, and the AC was poor because its remotes didn't work. The bathroom's main water valve was broken. After several requests and three reminders, a plumber came, but the repair still wasn't done properly; I was told how to manage it instead. Finding the resort was difficult because the signage was poor and the entrance wasn't maintained. Even the condition of the name board gave an impression of neglect. Nearby Silver Bill Resort and White Water Resort looked much better kept. Nobody welcomed us or helped with luggage, and check-in felt casual and unprofessional. I also couldn't get a response from management. For someone familiar with hospitality, I found the lack of involvement and the staff's guest handling unacceptable. The place needs better cleanliness and maintenance, waste management, safe electrical fittings, the activities it advertises, pool care, staff training in guest handling and F&B service, and a welcoming reception. I don't think it currently deserves a 3-star rating, and the online reviews are misleading.