Sep 20, 2009 08:23 PM
16970 Views
(Updated Sep 20, 2009 08:29 PM)
Had been to Yelagiri and just returned today. Our trip was NOT very enjoyable but since it is the attitude that drives your fun, I would say we had fun. I would say Yelagiri is never a destination for 2 day get away. If you plan to goto Yelagiri just make it a point that you make a RETURN THE SAME DAY.
My friends and me started from Bangalore the saturday and stayed overnight at Yelagiri. I would say this would be one major mistake that we made or probably you make if you plan to stay overnight.We started off to Yelagiri because we couldnt get the JLR bookings anywhere as it was Ramzan weekend. Since we planned to make a 2 day get away from Bangalore, we fixed Yelagiri.
Made an initial search on internet to find a decent place to stay since we had girls in the gang. We finally hit upon HOTEL HILLS YELAGIRI. We called them and booked ROYAL SUITEs as they said nothing else is available. They boasted about their rooms, multi-cuisine restaurant as well. Since we are ruled by our tastes we got a little overwhelmed by their comments on the hotel.
When we reached Yelagiri by 1 30 PM in the afternoon and checked in we got shocked to see the condition of the over priced rooms. The Royal Suites were charged 3000/- rs with 4 beds in which 6 people can adjust with their backs to each other. It wasn't wide as they described the beds over Phone. It even didn't have a TV which was working properly. It never tuned into a channel we wanted to watch, finally to save time we had to switch it OFF. The over priced deluxe rooms were never better than a normal double bed room.
We went for lunch to the Hotel to taste the multi cuisine Restt to bless our empty stomachs. But at the end we just got a little more frustrated. Seeing the Menu we could settle only for a South Indian Lunch. As expected the Hotel didn't have any other varieties. Wheh we ordered for 11 meals, they came with 3-4 casseroles with Sambar, Rice and some side dishes. The casserole of rice had rice only for 8 - 9 people. When we asked for more, they argued saying it had rice for 11 people. It was totally a blunder to say that it had rice for 11 people. They were angry when we also argued it is not possible to fit mcuh rice in it. The SERVICE was ATROCIOUS. They gave another plate with extra money.
We didnt pay for that though. But in the bill they added service charge, which they said it is part of the tax. The food was very costly and not tasty at all. The bill for 13 people of which 11 people ordered meals was 1200/-. The dinner was 1370/-. We had to fight at the dinner as well. They said we can order a maximum of 30 chapathis only. We were told to take fried rice after that mandatory. This was to move their rice. We got so much irritated by the service and food that we planned we would never ever return to Yelagiri. They gave a volley ball which had a broken bladder. They said they cant fix it at that time. They said they can arrange Campfire for extra 500 bucks. We agreed to it and when it was time for campfire and we asked for music, they said to wait 1/2 hour more and has to pay extra 500/- rs for Music. a 1000 rs for a campfire? We had done Campfire in other place for 500 rs I think it was standard.
If they cant provide the told facilities, they should remove it from their lists. When we asked for AC at the Royal Suites, they say Yelagiri is a Hill Station and dont require AC. It was really hot at Yelagiri even in September. WE HAD A BAD TIME AT HOTEL HILLS YELAGIRI. I would suggest Yelagiri goers not to stay at HOTEL HILLS. I read a review were you can agree to stay if you are offered a 40-50% discount. Else DONT STAY.
Yelagiri has just a Trek and a lake. This can be done in a day. I would suggest to reach Yelagiri by 11 AM. From Bangalore through NH7 you can reach Yelagiri in 3-4 hrs. If you are going through Malur-KGF-Bangarpet-Kuppam then it might take 6 hrs. We took this route in the onward journey. The road is little bad at some places. But our cars including the brand new Honda City sneaked in with little sadness. The experience of drive through this village roads are very cool, traffc less and pleasant. You may start your trek by 12 or so, complete it in 4 hrs. You may do boating if required, but not much of fun in it. Return by 6 PM reach Bangalore by 9 PM. There are things like a Park and Musical Fountain. For bachelors these places would seem to be a mere place to queue money in. So I think Yelagiri is just a day's destination and if you cant avoid stay stay somewhere. HOTEL SURABI had better and cheaper food.
