Pune has many interesting weekend getaways in its vicinity which is a blessing for travelers who don’t like driving long distances just to go for a weekend holiday. One of the popular ones is The Lagoona Resort in Lonavala, a week known hill station in Maharashtra. Exactly an hour’s drive from where I live in Pune, we reached the beautiful Lagoona Resort and it was a pleasant sight to see it raining in this region.
Encircled by lush foliage, The Lagoona Resort (An Ecotel Hotel) ushers views of magnificent Lonavala Mountains. The property features an outdoor swimming pool and it can be reached easily from Pune Airport, which is 76.6 Km from the hotel. With 64 guestrooms and 4 suites, this property offers a perfect accommodation in Lonavala. Rooms are spacious and well-furnished. Amenities included in the guestrooms are tea/coffee maker, mini bar and electronic safe. Lagoona Resort has restaurants, bars, and coffee shops that offer a range of delicacies and drinks. Additionally, it has banquet halls, conference rooms and board rooms in its offerings for business affairs. Play station for kids, indoor games, fishing and boating area are a few of the facilities present in the premises. For those who wish to explore tourist attractions located in the vicinity, it would be a great idea to visit Karla Caves (12.7 Km) and Walwan Dam (2.5 Km).
We were escorted to a suite and then we proceeded to the coffee shop for lunch. The restaurant was buzzing with activity and seemed to be very popular with guests. What makes this resort unique is that it offers boat rides for guests in the Lagoon situated in the property. The pleasant sight of guests enjoying themselves in the beautiful and spacious pool during the monsoon was a sight to behold! The lobby is filled with various life size aquariums full of fish of all sizes, shapes and colours and the soothing water bodies give a relaxing feel to the ambiance.
This popular resort has recently come up with a brand new restaurant cum lounge known as the Tipsy Horse located close to the swimming pool. The Bohri style cuisine served here is unique and has become very popular with guests both local and tourists. The restaurant cum bar cum lounge has a unique menu which boasts of starters such as Mutton Kheema Samosa, shaami kabab, Tipsy Horse Fusion Chicken Tikka, Mutton Chicken/Pattice (minced meat mixed with mild spices, coated with egg and then deep fried), Nargisi Kabab ( a delectable mix of soya mince and lentils), cheesy mushroom bombs and lentil samosas. The mains consist of all time favorites such as Kheema Pav, Bheja Fry, mutton Khichada (traditional Bohri style mutton khichada served with naan and tamarind cuchumbar), mutton kari (mutton preparation made with special masalas in a coconut based curry) soya kheema paav (a vegetarian version of the popular snack), Palak khichadi and daal khichadi (lentils and rice cooked on slow fire). You can end a great meal by enjoying a slice of caramel custard or the shahi jamun chocolate mousse (a delectable fusion of mousse and gulab jamun).
Address: S No. 55, Tungarli, District Pune, Lonavala, Maharashtra 410403 India
