Staying in the Yelagiri Bamboo Cottage will surely be a wonderful experience – if you are lucky. Let me explain.
Any guest intending to visit this property must first and foremost bear in mind that this place is neither a high-end holiday resort nor is it a fancy five-star hotel. At best, it is a very basic and rustic homestay that more than matches the nominal tariff charged.
The booking was done easily. The ‘superhost’ Ganesh was prompt and precise in responding to all my queries. Upon paying the advance, he also sent a detailed run-down of the property, complete with a google map link with additional directions, the contact numbers of the caretakers, food options with cost details, and all other essentials a visitor would need to know.
Reaching the place is not easy as the google map leads you in the wrong directions and takes you round and round in circles. It would be best to call and ask for clear directions from the caretaker just as soon as you enter Yelagiri town.
The last 500 meters from where a left turn has to be taken from the approach road to enter the property is a serious disaster. Those having small cars and tyres in bad condition will have a horrendous time navigating the extremely rough and treacherous terrain. The stretch is full of sharp-edged, large stones which can shave and shred any vehicle’s tyres easily.
The entry into the compound is through a steep incline which is also at an acute angle. Like some other reviewer had mentioned, it would be advisable for those entering the property to call the caretakers ahead and ask them to keep the gates wide open so that the guest can drive straight in without stalling or stopping.
The compound is open with undulating topography with a metal bridge over a stagnant pond of water, leafy droppings and assorted debris. Besides the pond, the caretakers should also take efforts to clean the perimeter of the property of the many liquor bottles and cigarette butts strewn all around.
The compact outdoor dining hut adjoining the kitchen is right next to the cottage. The caretakers and the cooks are all nice local folks who are innately polite and courteous. In your own interest, please let them know prior of your taste preferences. We were served with a lunch that was unbearably spicy for our bland palate. There were so much of green chillies that we were unable to even eat a mouthful without sweating it out. The omelette that we were served could well be called the ‘Bamboo Cottage Green-Chilli Special Omelette’ ! But once we told them to go easy with the green chillies, it became tolerable. Remember all cooking is done only upon ordering, including your Tea and Coffee. So be prepared to wait it out before your meal or hot beverages can be prepared, cooked and served.
The R.O. filtered drinking water tasted very metallic, despite being purified water. It must be mentioned here that there aren’t enough plates, cups, crockery or cutlery available.
Since the property is off the beaten track nothing can be ordered or bought in the spur of the moment. Guests must therefore plan everything in advance and buy all that they would need, before checking-in.
The interior of the cottage is simple and sparse, with an interesting sleeping area set up in the loft, accessible through a fixed bamboo ladder. The bathrooms were clean and spacious enough with a running supply of hot and cold water.
Now I will tell you what I meant when I said one has to be lucky to be able to enjoy this place :
The caretakers and their families, with their kids running about, live at the edge of the property and so are always within sight and sound. Sometimes their noisy conversations are quite disturbing. If you are not too bothered about your privacy, then this should not matter to you.
Coming to the main point, at a slightly lower level to the Bamboo Cottage is the Tree House. The night we spent there, there were a bunch of rather boisterous stags that were staying in the Tree House, shouting at the top of their voices to drown the noise of their blaring music.
We chose this remote property only to enjoy some peace and quiet. But our trip got ruined because of the thoughtlessness of a bunch of drunks who completely shattered the peace and calm around a good five-kilometre radius, with the ruckus they were creating, which sadly went on late into the night.
So, if you are also unlucky to find an inconsiderate group sharing the property space with you, your holiday is doomed and you may well kiss your peace goodbye.
Overall, the place is remote and is secluded. The approach road is horrid. The property is safe and comfortable. Material comforts are minimal. The food is good, cost reasonable and the service satisfactory.
Todas las reservas se hacen directamente con el propietario 