I have been to many hotels over the course of my life ranging from small 1-star to 5-stars. Never have I ever been so much disappointed with my stay !! For everything I do there is a cost-benefit analysis in my head, and this hotel, just screws you over and over until you finally check-out and swear to never comeback again! I went there with my family and had booked 2 rooms. One of my parents and the other, me and my brother. Reasons for my dissatisfaction: Pathetic service - for every room service I had to call 2-3 times to remind to deliver something basic such as a towel. Lack of basic amenities - no comb, no changing of towels, soaps the next day. And the shocking part, wifi speed is slower than 50kbps. So, you would think that you can't surf the internet, let's watch TV. But here comes another blow, there are no channels subscribed. There's no Sony or popular channels, which are there even in much cheaper hotels. Once, we got to know that the other room is having these popular channels, my brother called up the reception to send someone. That someone came, after 2 mins said he will check something and never returned. There were no nearby restaurants and the hotel's restaurant prices seemed in the range of 3-5 star restaurants. So, we were expecting to have good food. But, right from the starters to dessert. Everything sucked. In 1-2 items they forgot to put salt. There was so much lack of preparation, that after a very long time I had eaten such terrible food. Perfect icing on the cake was when the bill arrived with an amount similar to what would have been at barbeque nation for 4 of us. In our room, kettle, tv didn't work. The flow of water from the shower was so slow it felt I was taking bath in a village. For every such complaint, they said they will look into it, but to no response. It seemed they didn't care about their own quality and were just interested in looting money. Since, the hotel boasts of wine since start to end, at least a complimentary bottle is customary, but no, all their wines begin from rs400. I have never heard of their wines, or their popularity, so, didn't feel like trying it after the horrible food experience. At so much cheaper hotels in Goa, they provide at least one bottle of wine to showcase their expertise. The hotel owners felt that they could create top class infrastructure, provide the best ambience, and only this would enable them to charge astronomical rates. Barring the pool, the infra, everything else was worser than cheap motels in Mumbai at least. This kind of experience might seem okay for the Richie rich of our country, but if you fall under middle or upper middle class, you'll return home frustrated. Just think of it, even while checking out noone asked how was the stay or any kind of feedback. In the end, I was tearing my hair out. Seeing the pics, and reviews I was expecting so much. But the experience was equally pathetic. I request all of you to not waste a single penny in this place. Everything is pretentious and snobbish. Like an empty vase which looks good from outside but has nothing to offer. There are many better hotels at equal or cheaper...
Read moreDiscovering the Charm of Soma Vine Village in Nasik
Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Nasik, Maharashtra, Soma Vine Village emerges as a must-visit destination for travelers and wine enthusiasts. Its allure isn't just in the fine wines it offers but also in the serene environment that surrounds it, making it a perfect getaway.
A No-Cost Entry into a World of Elegance Remarkably, Soma Vine Village welcomes guests without any entry fees, which is a delightful rarity. This gesture adds to the overall appeal, making it accessible for all to experience the essence of Nasik's vineyard culture.
Convenience and Accessibility With ample parking space, the Vine Village ensures a hassle-free visit. Its location is strategically convenient, making it easily reachable and adding to its popularity among visitors.
Pet-Friendly: A Haven for Pet Lovers Understanding the bond between pets and their owners, Soma Vine Village stands out as a pet-friendly location. This thoughtful feature means you can enjoy the beauty of the vineyard with your furry friends by your side.
Immersive Vineyard Experience Offering a comprehensive day tour of the vineyard, guests get an insightful glimpse into the intricate process of winemaking. The experience is enhanced with wine tasting sessions, where one can savor the rich, nuanced flavors of their exquisite wines.
Take a Piece of Soma Home For those who wish to relive the experience, wines are available for purchase. This is a great way to take a piece of Soma Vine Village back home, extending the joy beyond the visit.
Stay Amidst Nature Accommodation is thoughtfully provided within the premises. The rooms in their resort are not just about comfort; they offer breathtaking views, particularly the lake view, which is a visual treat.
A Taste of Nasik's Finest The wine at Soma Vine Village is a testament to the quality and richness of Nasik's vineyards. Each sip reflects the care and expertise put into its production.
Room for Improvement While the place scores high on many fronts, the service aspect needs attention. There's a pressing need for the staff to embrace the professionalism expected in the hospitality industry. This feedback is crucial for enhancing the overall guest experience.
Price Point: A Consideration It's worth noting that the experience comes with a hefty price tag. The offerings, though premium, might feel overpriced to some. This aspect is something potential visitors should consider when planning their trip.
Soma Vine Village, with its idyllic setting and rich offerings, represents the essence of Nasik's vineyard culture. Despite some areas needing improvement, it remains a destination worth exploring for its unique experiences and serene beauty. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or a nature lover, Soma Vine Village combines it...
Read moreBudget resort at premium prices Aggressively subpar amenities. There was a cockroach in the breakfast sambhar which the staff initially refused to throw away, which is all the introduction one needs to this place.
The only positive things about this faux-fancy, overpriced, poorly-maintained and inadequately staffed vinyard resort is that it has a location with a great view of the Godavari (see pictures), has an acceptable wine tour by desi standards, and that it employs locals. From then, it's a straight spiral downwards.
To begin with, the resort is littered with elements of poor design. Here's a list off the top of my head:
Our bathroom had no ventilation, so it never dried out. Risky wet patches remained in our room from 4pm one evening to 11am the next morning, on which my child slipped. Our room's bathroom lock was held in place by two patches of plywood (see picture in attached gallery). It truly brought the tin-door public bathroom aesthetic to a "premium resort". The larger rooms have a (very sparse) indoor garden, but no proper ventilation on nearby. With just a single AC that only cools half the room, the sofa area next to the "garden" becomes completely unusable. The ground floor patio/balconies are incredibly non-ergonomic. They are too high for the average guest to comfortably get up or down from. Especially unpleasant for families with children, senior citizens, or people with knee/hip injuries. Every getting up or down is a jolt. The only help provided is a single unstable plastic "tile", which wobbles on the sharp stonechips piled around the patio/balcony.
I could go on. The tacky art on bent MDF sheets on the wall, poorly cared for plants in sparsely populated indoor gardens all over the property, the lack of something as basic as a mat outside the bathroom... the list of poor design, poor aesthetics, and poor maintenance at Soma goes on and on. Poor management is not far behind. The catastrophe of cockroach in breakfast has been mentioned above. In addition, snack/meal orders were forgotten, delayed (once by an hour), truly atrocious wine was served at premium prices (better wine at tasting), and apologies were either insincere or not forthcoming. The food was very spotty as well: OK khichdi, garlic bread, hummus, dosa and naan, atrocious pav and puri bhaji, burnt kanda bhajji, stale pita, indifferent everything else. The only exception was housekeeping, who were very prompt.
Summary: beautiful location, decentish wine at the tasting, vinegar-like Pinot Noir on menu, poorly trained staff, poor maintenance, disinterested and price-gouging management. NOT worth a visit unless a vineyard trip is on one's bucket list, and Sula is...
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