Lavasa...

One of the most sort after destinations around Mumbai and Pune, Lavasa...
Distance from Matunga : 195kms..
Travel Time : 4 hours, 35 minutes..

This is a promoted as a premium holiday destination.. and thats what it is...

Premium in terms of monies and not real value for money..

There are 4 hotels at Lavasa.. Fortune Select, Mercure ,Watershaw front and Ekaant. Looking at the reviews and having a prior experience from the Jaipur stint, I decided to stay at the Fortune Select.

We booked the Club rooms...

There are 2 Club rooms situated on each floor... rooms 201, 217, 301 and 317.. Out of these rooms 201/301 are very very crammed and dont look like Club rooms.. Just because they have created a small room outside, doesnt mean they should be charging premium on those rooms..
Rooms 217 and 317 are very very nice and huge.. but once you pull out the curtains, you see the road and not the lake..
So I would suggest booking the lake view rooms instead of the club rooms..

Cleanliness: Very clean and neat.

Room Service : We had ordered some tea and bhajiyas for the evening, but it took around 45 minutes for them to serve that.

Restaurant : There are 2 restaurants in the premise (Zodiac and Earthen Oven). Zodiac serves only Buffet (@ 750 + taxes) and this is the only restaurant we were told about by the reception.
Earth oven, serves ala carte, but has a very very limited menu..

Food : The Zodiac buffet has a very good spread. The food at both the places is very good.

Location : Hotel is located very close to the main bazaar and very close to the lake.
View from the pool area.. The pool is situated on the 2nd floor..

The hotel lacks a recreational area..

Room Tip: Club room 201 is very crammed. Rather choose a lake view room instead of a club room. 


Things to do at Lavasa...


There is a SPA.. ( for massages)
There is Indoor golf..
There is Water sports.. (Aqua basketball, Kayaking, Aqua Volleyball, Water scooter, Motor boat..)
There is Xthrill.. (Archery, River crossing, ATV, Rapelling.....)


Unfortunately, we could do only one cruise ride in the lake and the second evening was washed out because of unseasonal rains.. Also, most water sports are closed after 6pm.

Then there is Musical fountain which seems to be the main attraction around..
They have 2 shows every evening, at 7pm and 8pm..
Best place to watch the shows is from the bridge connecting to the Convention centre or opposite to the smokin joes pizza..
Any other place and you miss the fun..

Another must visit place for nature lovers is the Nature Trail.. This is very close to the Ekaant.. Also, the panoramic views from close to Ekaant are lovely.. Its on my monsoon wish list.

Though they are making sure that its not going to be a birders paradise.. They are building a kids zone at the top.. sigh.. total mismanagement..

Coming back to the Nature trail..I saw the following species of birds..
Asian Paradise Flycatcher..
Brown Cheeked Fulvetta..
Orange Ground Thrush.. (Couldnt get a clear shot)
Brown Headed Barbet.. (Couldnt get a clear shot)
Puff Throated Babbler..

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Puff Throated Babbler

Brown Cheeked Fulvetta (Please click on the image if you want to listen to the bird call)

Some other views from the Nature trail..

Since we were in a group, we had a lot of fun.. But apart from a visit in monsoon, I dont see myself visiting this place again..

thanks for reading :)