Sterling - a complete make over. Review on Sterling Kodai Lake

When we decided to go on a vacation to Kodai, Sterling was the choice of stay.  Our previous stay was comfortable, but we still had some minor complaints especially on the room upkeep and food at the restaurant.  The location was a major point of attraction.  Did not expect much of a change.  The booking procedure was relatively simply and could do it on-line with ease.  We reached Sterling on 18th Dec afternoon and we were pleasantly surprised at the welcome we received.  Not too elaborate but very warm and homely.  A hot welcome drink was welcome indeed for it was rather chill.  The room allotted to us was a simple single bedroom on one floor. The view from this room was quite good.  The bell boys were young lads from Uttranchal and well behaved. The room was well maintained with clean bed sheets, towels.  I understand that some of the rooms are under renovation. The kitchenette was very basic, with tea kettle, microwave oven and a few microwave utensils.

Cooking a meal would be difficult, which was not so during the earlier days.  The restaurant offered us special discounts on food masti package for senior citizens and members.  We availed of this and to our delightful surprise it was a good decision to go with this offer.  The breakfast - Lunch or Dinner package for 5 persons for 3 days worked out to around 3500/=.  The breakfast buffet was very elaborate with a mix of continental, south Indian and North Indian dishes (not less than 20 different items).  This time the food preparations  were very delicious and did not in the least bit spoil our stomach.  The dinner buffet too was quite elaborate.  Non Veg and Veg were kept separate and the veggies could eat without much of a fuss.  The food was prepared with great care and tasted very good.  Not too much spicy, but just right.  Sterling Kodai has plenty of energetic young staff, notably, the entertainment section headed by Barun with Divya and Puttaraj providing the guests with plenty of fun and frolic in the evenings.  Each night there was a theme dinner organized and the guests were treated to great bar-b-cue nights, bollywood nights etc.  Huge spread of buffet, but only there was not sufficient space in the stomach to hold every dish.

Coming to housekeeping, the staff were found to be very prompt in their response to guests requests.  The linen was changed everyday. Tea coffee and sugar bags were filled up everyday. We stayed there for 5 days and not once did we feel uncomfortable.  The staff were exemplary in their behavior.  Come Christmas, special activities were organized for the kids and there was of course the Christmas tree decoration where the guests were asked to participate.

Being off season, the town itself was very empty and very clean.  The freshness could be felt in the air. Though the old part of Kodai still had its beauty and charm, the new layouts coming up were distasteful.  Typical of poor forethought and vision, the town planners are creating what would eventually spell doom for the valley.  As much as my family enjoyed the beauty of Kodai, I sincerely hope that both Sterling and Kodai remain a happy holiday destination for everyone.