Evolve Back, Kabini — Hotel in Karnataka

The reception on arrival was very good. Everyone greets you all the time, which is good and bad. Pool within the room was one of the reasons we chose this resort. The privacy this affords led to a better experience. We were offered floats for the pool, but they were never provided, which discouraged us from making any other requests, affecting the overall experience. There was a mouse in the garbage bin indicating that the room could have been better checked prior to our occupying it. The room is huge, which is also good and bad. The downside is sometimes we skip doing stuff if it means going to the other end of the room. Only bottled drinks were provided but the bottle opener was missing. The reason we chose this room was that it was advertised as having the ability to stargaze from the bedroom. We understood this to mean a transparent ceiling, but it turned out to be another open bedroom on top that attracted a lot of insects. The food was not tasty but the taste improved over the course of our 3 night stay. The chefs were more approachable than at other places. There were bedtime stories for my son which was a good touch. The tribal dance activity was not that great and can possibly be skipped. The wild life documentary activity was available on YouTube probably. Boat Safari was not arranged due to poor sightings in non summer months. Boat ride was good. We saw some birds and enjoyed the sunset which was made more beautiful by an elaborate cloud pattern which is supposed to be common here. We also took the coracle ride which was a little scary. We also took the Bullock cart ride which was uncomfortable. My 6 year old son enjoyed both and even got to steer the coracle for some time. They have something similar to the personalized service that we loved in Park Hyatt. One hospitality executive is assigned to each party and she did pretty much the same as the person in Park Hyatt, but still the service didn't feel personalized probably due to lack of engagement from the executive. For instance, at Park Hyatt, when we were leaving, the executive spoke to my son and gave him a paper plane which was missing here. This may also be because the resort is not being explicit about personalized service even though that is what they appear to be aiming for. Also failure of the executive to provide floats that she offered discouraged us from interacting with her again as we were not sure of delivery of future requests. A similar incident happened when my son was offered a shawl for the cold during dinner by a different person. We finished the meal before the shawl came. These are instances when the resort scored own goals. The executive assigned to us also said she would make reservations for dinner at another restaurant where reservations are mandatory, for our anniversary, but we were not informed once the reservation was made. This made us unsure about the status of the reservation and we didn't want to check and be disappointed. So we went to the usual buffet. Our bedroom was decorated when we were out for dinner and we were given an anniversary cake which is appreciated. A snake was seen in our bathroom which was scary but they caught it. We were given 8000 rupees of credit which was used for incidentals and we were left with 5000 that we used at the souvenir shop which is appreciated. Tender coconut is provided at the end of boat ride and Bullock cart ride, which is tastier than the ones in Bangalore and...

Evolve Back, Kabini - A Serene Getaway Amidst Nature

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nestled on the banks of the Kabini River, Evolve Back Kabini is not just a resort; it's a slice of paradise that redefines the luxury of experiencing wildlife and nature. From the moment we arrived, we were enveloped in the warm embrace of serenity and impeccable hospitality that promised an unforgettable stay.

One of the highlights of our visit was the delightful lemon tea crafted by Abin. It was the perfect refreshing welcome and set the tone for a stay that was attentive to the smallest of pleasures. Each sip seemed to echo the tranquility of the surrounding landscape.

The guided bird watching session with Lakshman was an absolute treat for nature enthusiasts like us. His profound knowledge of the local flora and fauna brought the wilderness to life in a way that was both educational and deeply fascinating. It was a joy to witness his passion and expertise as he led us through the lush environs, pointing out species that we would have otherwise missed.

Culinary experiences often define a stay, and Chef Mahesh left no stone unturned in ensuring our dietary needs were not just met but celebrated with flair. Each meal felt tailor-made, showcasing the best of local flavors and ingredients, all while accommodating our personal preferences with a smile. I would highly suggest you try the Pazham Pradhaman that Chef Mahesh makes.

The candlelight dinner on the boat was the crowning jewel of our stay. It transformed our anniversary dinner into a magical evening under the stars, with the gentle lapping of the river providing a symphony of natural sounds. The setting, service, and sumptuous food came together to create memories that we will cherish forever.

Sohail's impeccable service was the golden thread that ran through the fabric of our stay. His attentiveness and eagerness to assist with anything we needed made us feel like royalty. It was comforting to know that he was just around the corner, ready to enhance our experience with his professionalism and warmth.

Finally, the culinary journey took an unexpected and delightful turn with the luchi and chicken curry for breakfast. The flavors were authentic, rich, and utterly satisfying, setting us up for the day's adventures with a content and full belly.

In conclusion, Evolve Back Kabini is more than just a resort; it's a testament to the beauty of combining luxury with nature's bounty. It's a place where every detail is curated to provide an experience that stays with you long after you've departed its peaceful shores. We give it a resounding five stars and recommend it to anyone looking to escape the ordinary and embrace the...

Evolve Back is located on the banks of river Kabini and is a comfortable 4-5hr drive from Bangalore (especially after the new Bangalore Mysore Highway). This is definitely one of the best properties in the Coorg region. It takes a lot of hard work to maintain a luxurious property that is infused with nature and Evolve Back does that really well. Each hut is a spacious suite, well designed with open spaces, and has its own pool. The premium huts also have a temperature controlled pool with a jacuzzi and an open air bed on the roof.

There are a number of experiences available in addition to the standard amenities (gym, spa, games, infinity pool). But what sets this place apart is that the staff running these experiences is extremely professional and knowledgeable. Our jungle safari guide from Mysore (forgot his name) knew practically every animal and bird we spotted. Make sure you stay at the right time (summers usually) so you maximise your chances of spotting animals. The other experiences like boat rides and nature walks are on par with what you expect in a good jungle resort. Some other experiences like the tribal dance and bullock cart rides felt like cultural appropriation but I see why foreigners might be interested in them.

Food at this place is excellent. In addition to the buffet spreads for breakfast, high tea, and dinner (lunch is ala carte), there is a fine dining restaurant with a set menu that specialises in grills and serves excellent local cuisine with a bit of fusion. The grilled prawns, mutton shank curry, biryani cooked in a banana leaf, and acahari chicken were our favourites.

The service across the property is outstanding. Most of the staff is locally hired which is great. There is great attention to detail like what you'd expect at a Taj property. For example, they will give your car a nice wax polish during your stay since your car will get dirty on the way here. Room service is extremely prompt and very helpful. The spa has a number of ayurvedic massages and treatments and is actually very well priced compared to other similar resorts.

The last bit is about the room prices. This place is obviously very expensive and I hope they find a way to drive the prices down a bit (maybe this is seasonal). However, I found out that if you reach out to a sales rep you can get a good offer especially with credit that you can use in the resort. Our dinners, safaris, and spa treatments were all included in our room price which made it economical. You may not get such deals if you book on online portals so do enquire on their...