Archive for July, 2010

Vista do Rio Resort

Vista do Rio has a blend of Spanish and Indian architecture, combined with elegance and comfort nestled in the serene surroundings of Alto Porvorim (Northern Goa).

The world famous Bom Jesus Basilica and the shrine of Saint Francis Xavier, are just 14 kms from the resort.  The hotel is close to Panaji City – Goa’s Capital/ Mandovi River and 10 minutes driving distances to the famous beaches such as Sinquerim Beach, Calangute Beach and Baga Beach.  You can also visit old Goa with its Portuguese architecture.

There are 47 rooms including Standard, Deluxe and Suites, and a large swimming pool, kids pool and Jacuzzi.  The Hotel has a multi-cuisine restaurant, Sunny’s Deck, which serves a wide variety of delicious Indian, Muglai, Goan, Chinese, and Continental dishes. There is also a bar which has a very nice ambience and serves alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic drinks.

Reviews:

“This wasa great hotel … it had spanish interiors. CHECK IN WAS VERY EASY.. staff were courtious.. our room had refrigirator and satellite tv.. broadband was fast.. landry came just in time…ac was chilling…. we hired a cab which came just in time.. overall it was good value for money.. recommended.”  — aakashluharuka  | kolkata | Jun 30, 2010

“Hotel is very good,  food is delicious,  their service is excellent and in hotel every thing is available, not to go out for any things,  good travel desk,  entertainment in hotel .”  — alparathod | Mumbai | Jun 23, 2010

“The hotel is set amidst lush green surroundings. The staff is courteous, the food is delicious. The travel desk is good and they also inform you of the places you can visit…” — Rishu |Delhi | Jun 10, 2010

“The hotel has been refurbished to a very high standard, with comfortable beds, lashings of hot water in the shower, and expensive soft furnishings, but the atmosphere is relaxed and informal. There is an extremely comfortable lounge and a cosy bar area, and if all you feel like doing is relaxing with a book and a glass of wine, it’s there for you.”  –  sshwetal |pune | May 4, 2010

Sterling Yercaud

Yercaud is a small hill station nestled in the shervaroyan hills amongst coffee plantations and is a nature getaway for south India. It is famous for its lake, coffee plantations, natural perfumes, pepper and schools. It houses a botanical garden with rare plants and trees. Yercaud coffee is famous in the world market for its texture and flavour.

The topography of the resort is uneven and may not be suitable for people who have difficulty walking as the resort has many steps.

Yercaud has an attractive lake where you can go boating and there are some pretty walking trails amidst the forested hills rich in flora and fauna.

Resort Facilties:

Sterling Yercaud  has 65 rooms, which include Standard rooms, Studio Apartments, Deluxe cottages. The resort has an in-house multi-cuisine restaurant.

History:

Yeracaud is situated in the green vistas of the Shervaoyan Hills in the Eastern Ghats, close to the town of Salem in Tamil Nadu. Its popularity as an escape from the heat and grime of the city rests not just upon its landscape of forest covered hill-sides, and coffee, cardamom and black pepper plantations,  but also its affordability. The picturesque man-made lake here is a popular spot for picnickers. Yercaud started gaining popularity as a hillstation in the 19th century. It was David Cockburn, the Scottish Collector of Salem (said to have first introduced the cultivation of coffee here) who set about developing its natural resources. The Grange, his old home which still stands, was fortified and equipped with ramparts and cannons, to act as a sanctuary for the European community here.

Reviews:

“Its a very good place to spend a weekend, especially for couples. The place has got good trekking trails, view points and a very good climate.”  –  jim |  kozhikode | 28th May 2010

“Beautiful holiday location for short trip with economical budget.” — AYUB |  Madurai | 16th April 2010

“This small hill station might not at all be suitable for tourists who crave for visiting many places as sight seeing. But people who like nature and fed up with their daily tight routine, then this place would be quite ideal for them.” — PRATAP |  NELLORE | 25th March 2010

“Yercaud, rightly called as the poor man’s Ooty is a right destination to spend a relaxing weekend. Far away from the terrific traffic and polluted parks of cities, a hill station that still retains the charm and simplicity, amidst the nature. Though its not a place where one can head for a rigorous sight seeing and go visiting places, its an ideal place where you can free yourself from the fast rushing daily life and laze at your wish. Its best visited between July-January, as told by the local people, but I happened to visit in March. Still it was good in its own ways though we missed a few scenic views. But not to forget this catchline.. ‘as we opened our window panes, there where a group of clouds waiting to be let in..’  “.  — Sam |  Bangalore | 11th March 2010

“The mountains, the Birds, the location, the Weather and the loving ones along makes the site more beautiful.” — abhipreeti |  Bangalore | 8th May 2007

“Sterling, Yercaud is definitely a must try experience. The resort is located at a view point (Lady’s Seat). The views are breathtaking. There are lot of monkeys. So cannot keep the room doors open. Staff are very courteous.”  –   Pratheesh | Calicut | Jun 29, 2010