Hotel Girija Resort

The staff were courteous and tried to help, and the property is spacious and well located. There’s also a pool table for entertainment. But the condition was nowhere near what the online photos suggested when I booked well ahead for October. The pool was dirty and broken, several promised room amenities were missing, and the fan and water heater didn’t work. We were told nothing about the state of the property, even though it was apparently due to be renovated the day we checked out. This was the worst stay I’ve had. Call for current photos before booking. It could be great if someone maintained it properly.

I was happy with the trip since I mainly wanted to visit Panchghani and Mahabaleshwar, which are nearby, rather than get five-star resort service. It’s a quiet, secluded spot with good service, though upkeep is lacking, so don’t expect too much. The pool is rotten and best avoided, which cost it a star. There’s an old play area for kids with a slide and a few swings. For hot water, get there early, since the shared boiler is turned off around 11am; later on, they can bring a bucket of hot water. If the weather is cold and dry, you can sit around a small garden fire with drinks. I liked their chili chicken with drinks. For non-veg, ask for some meat on the bones, as my first order was disappointing.

The new management has helpful staff, and our room was clean. Both standard and deluxe rooms are affordable. The views and surroundings are lovely, and the food is good. It seems like good value for the price, as earlier reviews suggest too. Summer might be more fun if the swimming pool is available.

The photos online make it look much cleaner and prettier than it is. Facilities and infrastructure were poor, and they don’t even include a water bottle, you have to buy one. Bring your own booze, because they charge more than double if you ask them for it.