Club Mahindra Ashtamudi, Kerala

Very Poor Planning and Zero CoordinationWe visited Club Mahindra ashtamudiResort on Valentine’s Day expecting a well-managed and special experience. Unfortunately, it was extremely disappointing.The swimming pool was closed due to a private event, and guests were not informed in advance. On a day like Valentine’s Day, closing a major facility without prior notice shows very poor planning.The lakeside seafood restaurant ’ which is promoted as one of the main highlights of the property ’ was also closed, reportedly due to staffing issues. It is surprising that a resort of this scale cannot manage manpower on such an important day.To make things worse, the dining service was completely unprofessional. We ordered ?? la carte dinner with a starter and a main course. After a very long wait, the main course was served first. Only after we finished it, the starter arrived. By then it was pointless, and we had to cancel it. This reflects a serious lack of coordination in the restaurant.Overall, the experience lacked professionalism, communication, and basic hospitality standards. Definitely not worth the money or the occasion

We chose this resort to celebrate Valentine’s Day, expecting a memorable and special experience. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the most disappointing stays we’ve had.Firstly, the swimming pool was completely closed due to some private event. This was never informed to us in advance. The pool is a major facility of the resort, and restricting guest access without prior notice is unacceptable’especially on a peak occasion like Valentine’s Day.Secondly, the much-highlighted lakeside seafood restaurant’one of the main attractions of this property’was closed due to ’manning issues.’ It’s shocking that a premium resort cannot manage staffing on such an important day. We specifically looked forward to the seafood experience, and it was unavailable.If key amenities are going to be shut, guests should be informed beforehand. We paid expecting full access to the facilities that are advertised and promoted.Overall, very poor planning and lack of communication. Definitely not the Valentine’s experience we hoped for. Would not recommend for special occasions unless the management improves coordination and transparency.

Our stay at Club Mahindra Ashtamudi was an exceptionally pleasant and refreshing experience. Nestled amidst the tranquil backwaters of Kollam, the resort offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, comfort, and warm hospitality. The location itself is a major highlight’waking up to serene lake views, lush greenery, and the mesmerising sunrise over the backwaters instantly puts you at ease and sets a peaceful tone for the day.The rooms were spacious, clean, and well maintained, with all essential amenities thoughtfully provided. Housekeeping standards were excellent, ensuring a comfortable and hassle-free stay throughout. The resort ambience is calm and family-friendly, making it suitable for both relaxation and quality time with loved ones.The staff deserves special mention for their courteous, polite, and ever-helpful attitude. From the reception to the restaurant and activity coordinators, everyone made genuine efforts to ensure guests feel welcome and well cared for. The food was delicious with a good variety, and the local Kerala dishes were especially authentic and flavorful; however, the food is quite expensive, which is one aspect the resort could consider improving.Activities were engaging and well organized, adding to the overall experience without being overwhelming. Overall, Club Mahindra Ashtamudi is an ideal destination for anyone seeking a peaceful getaway surrounded by nature, combined with excellent service and comfort. Highly recommended, and we would certainly love to visit again.

Our stay at Club Mahindra Ashtamudi was truly wonderful. The resort is beautiful and comfortable, with mesmerizing lake views and a stunning sunrise that made every morning special.The New Year program was very well organised, and the gala dinner was excellent. A special mention to the entire staff’they were extremely kind, courteous, and attentive throughout our stay, which made the experience even more pleasant.The Happy Hub was a real saviour, not just for kids but for adults as well. The evening events were engaging and fun, and Deepraj from Happy Hub deserves special appreciation. He is extremely talented and kept every activity lively and enjoyable.Chef Suresh and Abhisek were outstanding. They went out of their way to accommodate all our requests and ensured we had a great dining experience.The trip to Munroe Island was serene and beautifully complemented the overall stay. It was peaceful, scenic, and unforgettable.Overall, we had an amazing experience at Club Mahindra Ashtamudi. I would highly recommend this resort to anyone travelling to Kerala’it is truly a must-visit destination.

It's a mixed experience during my stay at Club Mahindra, Ashtamudi.The Good Experience:Club Mahindra Ashtamudi is beautifully situated on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake, offering boating facilities directly from the resort.Mornings are serene with birdsong, while evenings provide stunning sunset views from the lakeside benches’a truly refreshing experience.’The half-day excursion to Munroe Island, arranged by the resort, is highly recommended.The journey begins on a larger boat from the resort, followed by a transfer to smaller hand-rowed boats that navigate the narrow, picturesque waterways.’The accommodations feature recently renovated rooms with ample space for an additional sofa-cum-bed, perfect for families with children.The bathrooms are notably spacious and well-appointed.’The spa is worth experiencing, offering clean facilities and quality service.Advance booking is advisable for evening slots due to high demand.’Additional conveniences include buggy service throughout the resort (though distances are easily walkable), parking adjacent to rooms for convenient vehicle access, and a helpful travel desk that arranges excursions to Kollam, Varkala, and other attractions. The staff demonstrated excellent service by safely storing a forgotten packet from the reception area and forwarding it via speed post.’The Bad Experience:Despite the resort's size, the room count appears disproportionately high, with additional construction underway.This results in overcrowding in certain areas, which can diminish the peaceful vacation atmosphere.’Evening time the pool is so over crowded, no way people can enjoy it.The Major DisappointmentThe restaurant experience proved deeply frustrating.Throughout my stay, the ?? la carte restaurant entrance remained closed, forcing guests to pass through the buffet area where staff persistently promoted buffet dining.For those who declined, the ?? la carte service was unacceptably poor.’On several occasions, staff directed guests to sit in the buffet area to order ?? la carte items, but servers refused to take orders, claiming they were assigned exclusively to buffet service.Most troubling was a Thursday evening during Navratri when no paneer dishes were available at 8:00 PM, yet the chef readily appeared with pen and paper to promote the buffet rate card rather than addressing the lack of vegetarian options.’The tone he spoke to us while promoting buffet is unacceptible in hospitality industry.