Club Mahindra Puducherry

The beachside view was stunning, and the staff made the stay feel well looked after. Mrs. Autono and Mrs. Geetanjali provided exemplary service, while Mr. Pughal handled the logistics well. The food was a highlight too: Mr. Melvin and Umakhand led the junior staff effectively, and Mr. Sushant, Mr. Harshal, and Mr. Sujeet showed real skill in the kitchen. My only suggestion is that they build a little more confidence, since humility and underconfidence can be hard to tell apart. We also enjoyed the range of daily activities. Mr. Ayyanar was especially knowledgeable when helping us observe the sun, moon and other celestial bodies. The property is commendable, though it’s undergoing renovation, so some areas are closed, and some activities have a fee.

We had a memorable break and barely felt a need to go out. The property is so spacious that exploring it and enjoying the atmosphere kept us occupied. It was a repeat visit to pondichery, and we’d already done the local tours and visits last time. Our room on the first floor was very good, with balconies on both sides and a large terrace on the third side. The grounds are expansive, open and green, with direct beach access. The remote location is part of its appeal. All the staff were helpful and efficient, especially the front office and restaurant teams, who were always happy to help. Construction is underway and part of the property is cordoned off, but it was done carefully and caused little inconvenience. A bird’s-eye view of the property and its expansion would have helped guests understand the plans. Even after we asked several times, nobody knew what was proposed.

It was our second visit, but this time felt a little below par. The rooms without Smart TVs and the weak air-conditioning were disappointing, especially at a resort without a spa or fitness center. The food and service were exceptional, though. They worked hard to arrange an alternative room and improve our experience. Probably best to wait until the renovation is complete.

Service felt apathetic and the staff seemed stretched thin. When we checked in, we left our aadhar cards at reception and they were only returned after we remembered to ask at checkout. They could have brought them back or at least reminded us. The staff weren’t friendly. The resort was being renovated, but that wasn’t mentioned when we booked. Half the place was inaccessible and there was nothing for kids to do. All the games were broken, and anything that wasn’t broken cost extra. There was very little to do, so the high rates for non-members didn’t feel justified. Even members shouldn’t expect much. The food was okay, and the beach was accessible, though a bit dirty. I’d book somewhere else.