Oct 16, 2010 05:12 PM
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Angana Courtyard Inn is on the outskirts of Bangalore(around 25km) which offers a refreshing break for a weekend with an old-time village rustic feel of a'courtyard', an open space in the middle around which the house and the rooms are built.
This is located on the Kanakapura Road: just hit this road from Bangalore, and you will start seeing black color signboards of Angana from when you're 16 km away. Until the Nice corridor, it's typical bangalore traffic, after that a short nice distance on good road, then you need to take a right in pattareddy palya village. We reached the place without much fuss thanks to the signboards right till the entrance.
We were offered a smooth check-in and a refreshing lime-juice by the staff. We had a cottage, which offered more privacy, it's own sit out, and a open space between the bed room and the bathroom(with separate toilet and bathroom). We are 2+2 incl. a baby, so the cottage seemed to be ideal. For large family get-togethers, maybe a room in the courtyard would fit better.
The place itself consists of the courtyard block with six rooms on two levels, the cottage section, a small basketball cum badminton court, the swimming pool, kitchen and dining area, childrens play area, a TT court, a kind of tower which you can climb, a small so-called amphitheater. Throw in lots and lots of trees, plants, bushes, stony paths, hanging lanterns, ringing bees, you will get the picture.
What sets this place apart is the focus given to the theme: the entire place is decorated with the items that will remind of an by-gone village era, especially within the courtyard: from bullock-cart wheels to a gramaphone set; from old-type mouthpiece telephone to old playing sets like pallanguzhi.
The service should be given a special mention: they were courteous, friendly, non-obtrusive, and ever-obliging. A combination hard to see even in higher-starred places. Starting with the manager Subramani, and in-charge Pandiyan, they just give you the feeling that you own the proceedings. Let it be our request for dinner be served in the room(as the baby was sleeping) and the swim tube to be inflated many times and unlimited cofee/tea/omlettes that we kept indulging in, they not only obliged us but did it with utmost courtesy and energy. Also, the place is well-maintained and clean. One can always see the ladies at work ensuring a tidy atmosphere. The entire staffing is spot-on, from an HR perspective.
The main activity is around the swimming pool(at least for us): its a great pool, design inspired by the good old temple lakes with steps going in, separate section for kids. It's not one of the cleanest pool as dry leaves and flies falling in. But they cleaned up once on our request. But certainly more hygienic than Wonder La or Lumbini Gardens! They have other stuff like a TT and shuttle: maybe a bit worn-down. And no television: depending on you, its a blessing or a curse. But they at least have intercom to the kitchen!
Now, to the food, which is the ambiguous part. The food is simple, south-indian, easy on the stomach. So, its not the ghee dripping, mouth watering, well ornated servings. Just a shade better than what you can muster up at home. In one breakfast, they just gave Dosas. Of course, they followed it up with some omelettes after our request. Evening, there were some snacks like bajji or pakora, but neither hot nor tasty. Though their courteous servings of overdose made up for it, this is not the place if you want indulge on the cravings of your palette.
We stayed there for 3d/2n and thoroughly enjoyed our stay, despite the not-so-great food and the lack of activities, maybe they were not our main concerns. But on the cost front, seems a bit expensive(starting around 4k) that can only be reasoned with such a refreshing service and a fantastic, almost-personal pool-side.
