Shree Samarth Villa

The food and caretakers were good, but basic things like towels and soap were missing or not replenished. The villa owner, a woman, was very rude and seemed to think she owned the best villa in panchgani. She got defensive and wouldn’t cooperate when we raised issues instead of addressing them. Guests shouldn’t be treated that way. She needs training in customer service and communication. Because of her attitude, I’ll never recommend this villa to friends.

The lawn and veranda were lovely places for morning tea or evening chats, and the caretaker/host was courteous and available whenever we needed something. This bungalow is spacious, clean, and surrounded by greenery, with a superb view and a warm, homely feel. The rooms were well maintained too. It’s a nice peaceful break from the city for families or groups, and I’d recommend it.

The valley view is the big draw here, and the garden behind the villa gives you lots of room to spend time outdoors. The swimming tank was clean and well maintained, and there are balconies off both the hall and bedroom. Each of the three floors available to rent is arranged like a 1 BHK, and you can book floors separately or together depending on how many people are coming. A floor can easily fit 4-6 people. Only the bedroom has AC, though it’s usually windy here all year. Towels and bathroom accessories are provided, and the caretaker lives on the property and responds helpfully to questions. There’s ample parking outside. The villa sits among several others, so maps can take you to the exact spot, but use Panchgani road to get here rather than the route Google maps suggests. The slope and somewhat poor roads can make the approach difficult. It’s close to the right location for a quality break with loved ones, and worth the money.

The staff are kind and helpful, but there are too few of them for the amount of work. Cleanliness is also an issue. The rooms and location are great, but the woman who owns the villa isn’t clear about the terms and conditions and isn’t cooperative.