Meridian Hill Top Yercaud

The room quality was the one good part, and that's why I gave it two stars. Service and hospitality were below average. For ₹7,000-8,000 a night, I expected a lot more. Breakfast had few choices, the boiled eggs were cold, and there wasn't an omelette option. The menu was mediocre, and the restaurant food was overpriced and below average. The water canister was dirty, and nobody bothered to remove the basket lids with broken handles. We got just 2 litres of drinking water per room, with no extra. I stayed at Mount Pico for the same price the year before and had unlimited water there. They also charged an extra 2% for credit cards, which I understood to be against RBI rules. If you're spending ₹7,000-8,000 a night, I'd choose Mount Pico instead. It felt like much better value.

The valley view was the reason I booked Meridian Hill Top Resort, and it really was stunning. Our room was spacious, and dinner was delicious. The complimentary breakfast, though, was terrible. Cleanliness was surprisingly poor, the room had no ambiance, and the air conditioning didn't work at all during my stay. With those problems, it didn't feel worth what I paid. It seemed like the view was all I was paying for, and the resort needs to improve its upkeep and basic amenities.

It was quiet here, with wildlife sounds instead of traffic noise. We might see peacocks in the morning, and possibly bison too. The view from the balcony is great if you get a Master Suite, but some other rooms have no view. The hotel is a bit expensive and lacks some amenities. The AC was there but wasn't running, though honestly it wasn't needed from evening onward. Food was on the costly side, but edible and fine. The swimming pool wasn't cleaned and didn't seem to be actively supplied with fresh water. It could work as a mid-budget option.

My first visit to Meridian Hill Top Yercaud Resort was top class. Breakfast buffet, service, everything felt worth recommending. This time was a letdown. The property seems less well maintained, service was average, and the reception staff didn't smile or seem welcoming. Breakfast was just okay, and the staff had a "don't ask for more dosa or idli" sort of attitude that spoiled it. I paid nearly ₹7,000 for one night, but the stay felt worth under ₹4,000. The valley view room is excellent, but definitely not worth that rate. They need to bring back the earlier service and upkeep standards. Until then, I wouldn't recommend it.