Zostel Plus Panchgani — Hotel in Maharashtra

November - 2024 (CasuallyNishant)||I've been visiting Zostel Plus Panchgani every year for the past three years, and it just gets better with each visit. This time, I decided to go solo and booked a dorm. I was allocated the same dorm, G Container, which felt like 2021 again. ||The property is huge and beautifully constructed on a hill. What struck me first was the cleanliness and the lovely plantation around the property. The valley views from almost every corner are breathtaking – I'll add some pictures to prove it!||The dorms are unique, converted cargo containers that are spotless and cozy. Each dorm has six beds, and the staff changes the sheets daily. The toilets and bathrooms are attached and cleaned daily. One thing to note is that amenities, except shampoo and soap, aren't free for dorm residents. People living in the dorm have to pay for amenities.||The rooms, on the other hand, are perfect for couples or solo travelers who prefer a more private space. They're a bit pricey, but the balcony views of the valley make up for it. I love their balcony view of the valley. The couple-friendly rooms are just apt for a romantic weekend getaway.||Amenities and events are plentiful here. You can play board games, pool, or video games for free. Food is available until 3 AM, and weekends are party time with live music performances. They also organize workshops, bonfires, and cookouts. Singing around a bonfire is a thing in this property; don't worry if you don't get your guitar – there's always one available at the reception.||The restaurant (Bombax) serves delicious food, especially breakfast. Prices are reasonable, but might be a bit steep for college students. Highlights include Rara chicken, chicken Peshawari, and Paneer tikka masala. They have these cookout sessions every evening from 4-7 PM where their chefs roast their best veggies and chicken priced at happy hour rates. The timing can seem a little odd because rarely any Indian eats around that time.||For trekkers, the property offers morning treks with stunning sunrise views. I went on trek with the property manager and a staff guide and watched all the 5 stunning sunrises . Evening treks and night treks (for stargazing) are also available, but depend on the number of participants. I walked up to Sydney Point for sunset a couple of times – it's just a 1.5 km walk uphill.||Some sneak peeks: BYOB (the booze isn't sold at the counter, so you might have to walk/drive 3 km uphill to the Panchgani market). You can smoke almost everywhere except in the dorms or common areas. For workation peeps, it can be tricky, but you can work from anywhere or request to work in their IT room – it's a cozy office space.||Overall, Zostel Plus Panchgani is an amazing destination for solo travelers, couples, and groups. If you're traveling solo, make sure to plan your day accordingly(weekdays are boring if you got no plans). The staff is great – the cleaners, who happen to be locals from Panchgani or nearby villages, are the sweetest and always up for a chat. The restaurant staff is humble and always on their toes to offer you anything. They have a thing with water – they make sure your glasses are full, and even if you switch tables, you're offered another glass of water...

November - 2024 (CasuallyNishant)

I've been visiting Zostel Plus Panchgani every year for the past three years, and it just gets better with each visit. This time, I decided to go solo and booked a dorm. I was allocated the same dorm, G Container, which felt like 2021 again.

The property is huge and beautifully constructed on a hill. What struck me first was the cleanliness and the lovely plantation around the property. The valley views from almost every corner are breathtaking – I'll add some pictures to prove it!

The dorms are unique, converted cargo containers that are spotless and cozy. Each dorm has six beds, and the staff changes the sheets daily. The toilets and bathrooms are attached and cleaned daily. One thing to note is that amenities, except shampoo and soap, aren't free for dorm residents. People living in the dorm have to pay for amenities.

The rooms, on the other hand, are perfect for couples or solo travelers who prefer a more private space. They're a bit pricey, but the balcony views of the valley make up for it. I love their balcony view of the valley. The couple-friendly rooms are just apt for a romantic weekend getaway.

Amenities and events are plentiful here. You can play board games, pool, or video games for free. Food is available until 3 AM, and weekends are party time with live music performances. They also organize workshops, bonfires, and cookouts. Singing around a bonfire is a thing in this property; don't worry if you don't get your guitar – there's always one available at the reception.

The restaurant (Bombax) serves delicious food, especially breakfast. Prices are reasonable, but might be a bit steep for college students. Highlights include Rara chicken, chicken Peshawari, and Paneer tikka masala. They have these cookout sessions every evening from 4-7 PM where their chefs roast their best veggies and chicken priced at happy hour rates. The timing can seem a little odd because rarely any Indian eats around that time.

For trekkers, the property offers morning treks with stunning sunrise views. I went on trek with the property manager and a staff guide and watched all the 5 stunning sunrises . Evening treks and night treks (for stargazing) are also available, but depend on the number of participants. I walked up to Sydney Point for sunset a couple of times – it's just a 1.5 km walk uphill.

Some sneak peeks: BYOB (the booze isn't sold at the counter, so you might have to walk/drive 3 km uphill to the Panchgani market). You can smoke almost everywhere except in the dorms or common areas. For workation peeps, it can be tricky, but you can work from anywhere or request to work in their IT room – it's a cozy office space.

Overall, Zostel Plus Panchgani is an amazing destination for solo travelers, couples, and groups. If you're traveling solo, make sure to plan your day accordingly(weekdays are boring if you got no plans). The staff is great – the cleaners, who happen to be locals from Panchgani or nearby villages, are the sweetest and always up for a chat. The restaurant staff is humble and always on their toes to offer you anything. They have a thing with water – they make sure your glasses are full, and even if you switch tables, you're offered another glass of water...

Our initial plan was to stay for one night but there were reasons why we extended our stay for 2 more nights - 1- Zostel, go-to destination for the new generation, has totally lived up to its expectations. It offers budget stays for solo travelers to luxury accommodation for couples. Prices are reasonably charged considering the amenities provided. We booked our stay in their deluxe room with balcony and valley view. Though we were provided check-in a little late but they offered an upgrade to their deluxe room with suspended balcony hammock with valley view at a reasonable amount. I made the best decision that day to go for this upgrade and this was the best decision made that day! All modern and luxurious amenities are provided (there is a separate point for amenities). 2- Bombax, their partner restaurant has a menu one cannot resist! The quality of the food is top notch with high quality standards. With professional, helpful & friendly staff, they will make sure your experience is top class! 3- Special thanks to Mr Nikhil and Prasad for making our stay memorable by arranging decoration on the occasion of my wife's birthday with a delicious cake! (I am still eating that cake while typing this review 🤤). 4- Kudos to their entire staff for keeping guests comfortable and to their content! Each and everyone right from Security to housekeeping were extremely professional and approachable! They are just a phone call away any time during the day if you need help. Though there were a couple of instances where requests were not met (considering the adhoc requests such things can be ignored) 5- For the amenities, they have every essential item right from toiletries to bath robs, hair dryer. What separates Zostel from other hotels/hostels is that they encourage you to take home their toiletries in their "Take me home" bag. They also provide cutlery with a kettle and a mini fridge with beverages which are chargeable. Accommodations are totally luxurious with fresh sheets, pillows and top quality furnishing in the rooms! Their USP is their huge sliding window offering mesmerizing valley views! 6- Running a hostel has its own challenges, you need to provide facilities for travelers where they can spend quality time. With a table tennis table, pool table and poker table along with other popular games, Zostel surely knows how to manage your free time at the property!! Their other activities include hiking for sunrise, sunset & stargazing are totally out of the box!

In a summary, Zostel Plus at Panchgani is extremely recommended if you are looking for a stay full of privacy,...