The Peepal Tree Kabini

Watching the sun come up and go down over the lake was the best part of our two-night stay. The bungalows sit right by the water, and the setting is stunning. We ate at the poolside restaurant and also had dinner under the stars. The food was finger-licking good, and the staff were among the most helpful we’ve come across, always ready to go the extra mile. A really relaxing holiday, simply beautiful.

We were 29 bikers on our monthly ride, and the quiet location made for a peaceful weekend away. It’s about 220 km from Bangalore and 60-70 km from Mysore, set well away from busy roads. The staff were friendly and handled all our requests without trouble. The food was the best part for us: plenty of variety for the price, and both the taste and quality were great. Our cottages were clean and nicely done, with room for four people or two families. Each had a living and dining area, a small kitchen with a fridge and microwave, backup power, and two clean bathrooms with hot water around the clock. There’s a nice pool with clean water that seemed to be purified and recycled effectively. We also found books for different ages, indoor and outdoor games, and a 15-20 minute boat ride across the backwater. The banks of the kapila dam backwater were especially lovely at sunrise and sunset. I’d like to come back for another peaceful getaway.

The private lake is a lovely spot for boating, and cycling along the shore was a real stress buster. They also set up a campfire at night, though it rained on our visit and spoiled that plan. The food tasted good, but there weren’t many choices. Getting there takes some care. About 80% of the road was in decent shape, but the last 20% wasn’t. Google Maps was confused by incorrect pins, so it’s best to reach the circle where the road branches off and ask someone nearby for directions. It’s a nice break from busy Bangalore life, suited to a weekend trip. The twin-sharing nightly rate felt high to me, though it was cheaper than nearby places such as JLR.

There’s plenty to do, including boating, cycling, cricket, table tennis, and badminton. Meals are buffet style and included in the stay; the food was excellent in taste and quality, with lots of options. The cottages were spacious and clean, and the staff were very well behaved. They’ll provide things if they’re available. The resort is beside the kabini river backwaters, with lovely scenery and greenery all around. It’s a 5-6 hour drive from Bangalore, but the road near the resort is poor and the Google location is wrong, so ask locals or the staff before you arrive. It’s about 35 km from the safari point, and they don’t arrange safari visits. They charge per adult, which makes it a bit overpriced. Still, our experience was good.