Tapovana The Fern Sakleshpur, Series by Marriott

Absolutely loved our small weekend getaway in the middle of the Saklespur valley.

ixigoer •

Couple • India • Oct 2026

Outstanding service and a fantastic stay. Huge thanks to Manas and the restaurant team.

The staff were all courteous and excellent. The food was delicious. The location was beautiful and scenic. The only drawback was the final stretch of road leading to the property, as they seem to be facing challenges in obtaining permission to pave it.

Extremely let down by Tapovan, Sakleshpur. The place is shabby and not well kept, yet the prices are as high as a top-tier Marriott property. The stay did not match the cost at all. Our room was covered in cobwebs, which is unacceptable for such expensive rates. Cleanliness and upkeep should be guaranteed at this level. The food, which is not handled by Marriott, was very oily, greasy, and bland — more like what you'd find in a one-star hotel, not a high-end place charging these prices. This isn't about expecting luxury on a budget; it's about the prices setting an expectation of quality that the property, cleanliness, and food fail to meet. If you're visiting Sakleshpur, reconsider before booking Tapovan. There are at least two better options for the price. Overpriced, poorly maintained, disappointing food, and not worth the cost. I wouldn't recommend it or return.

While I was waiting in the lobby, there was no water or welcome drink provided. Our stay at The Fern had its ups and downs. We arrived around 9:00 AM and had breakfast on-site, which we paid for separately, and that was fine. The disappointing part was the check-in policy. Even though we paid the full room rate for the day, we were told check-in was only allowed from 3:00 PM. Making guests wait until 3:00 PM, especially after a long trip and paying the full rate, seems unfair. What surprised me more is that most hotels in India usually have a check-in time around 12:00 PM, with many allowing earlier check-ins if rooms are available. A strict 3:00 PM check-in is unusual and lowers the value for guests arriving earlier. The hotel facilities and staff were good, but the rigid check-in policy affected our overall experience negatively. I suggest the hotel rethink this policy or provide clearer communication and better options for early arrivals. Overall, the stay was okay, but the check-in process needs improvement. Since the room was not assigned yet, I will share my stay review soon. After the room was assigned, here is my review: The location is excellent, rooms are spacious, and the food is good. The biggest advantage of this hotel is its location. Perched on a hill station, it offers a beautiful and peaceful environment. This location is definitely its main attraction and makes the stay worthwhile. The rooms are roomy, clean, and comfortable. However, I missed having a proper study or work table. I had to work during my stay and ended up sitting on the bed, which was uncomfortable. Adding a small work desk would be helpful. The food was very good and one of the highlights of the stay. But the drinks selection was average, especially the beer choices. There were very few good beers available, so the beverage menu could be improved. Overall, it’s a good hotel with a great location, clean and spacious rooms, and tasty food. With some improvements like adding work desks in rooms and expanding the drink options, the experience could be even better. The location is definitely the main reason I would consider staying here again.