THE SERAI at Chikmagalur is one of the Best Luxury Resort for Holiday Travelers in Karnataka.  It feels like being in heaven, just that instead of Clouds, there is lush greenery of the Coffee Estate all around.  This picturesque resort is spread across 7-acres amidst the 70-acre Coffee Estate owned by Coffee Day.  You get a feeling being tele-transported to a different world soon after you enter.  The world of ‘The Serai’ is just around 250 kms away and closer to many other tourist destinations.  But I entered this place, I felt like saying right inside and not venture out.  The resort is nearly 10-years old but it feels like a brand-new property.  I have personally visited this place 2 time in the past 6-7 years and could not see any change.  Let me share my experience from my latest trip to the resort as part of the ‘Bloggers Retreat‘ organized by ‘The Serai – Chikmagalur’ in association with SKREEM (Online Marketing Company).

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Landscape
The resort as I mentioned earlier is setup across 7 acres land within the coffee estate.  It just seems so perfect for any travelers who wants to get away from the busy city life.  It is also apt for someone who wants to experience living close to nature.  It is good for someone who loves the smell of coffee.  It is good for someone who loves photography.

The temperature inside the resort is much lower than the actual temperature outside, due the green-shield around.  The resort made me feel like being in a separate Colony, more like a Mini Habitat.

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Main Building & Exteriors
This for sure is the heart of ‘The Serai – Chikmagalur’ from where you can get glimpse of the entire resort.  It overlooks the coffee plantation, swimming pool area, restaurants, villa, spa, route leading to villas and some part of the town at a distance.  Few other facilities like – Boutique, Gift Shop, Library and Meeting Rooms are also available.  Entrance to Lounge Bar and Recreation rooms is from the main building.  There are stairs leading to Spa, Restaurant and the Villas.

There is a single stretch leading up to the Villas.  Landscaping has been done very well in the Central area as well as around the Villa.  They seem to have taken care of the minutest of the details it looks so beautiful.  I just sat up on the porch to just admire.

Recreational Activities
Plenty of activities can be done at the resort under the guidance of the ‘Activity Team’.  Some of them include – Bicycle ride across the resort, walk across the Coffee Plantation, Bird Watching, Nature Photography.

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There is a huge Infinity pool that can be used for swimming in the open.  If you are in a group, they have options for playing water-polo.  If you love sun-bathing, they have setup the chairs around the pool area.

If you love indoor sport, they have Snooker Table, Carroms, Chess and Table Tennis.  For folks loving outdoor sports, they have small ground for playing cricket and a volleyball court.

For folks, crazy about fitness, there is well-equipped gym that can be used.  If not, you can also just jog around the resort.  And anytime you feel tired, you can ask for a ‘Golf Cart Ride’ back to your villa.

Villas
The resort has in total of 29 Villas which are categorized into 4 sections – Estate Villa with Jacuzzi, Estate Villa with Pool, Estate Terrace and The Residence.

Estate Villa with Pool is the place where I stayed during my recent visit. It has a pool right in front of the entrance which is private.   There is also a Jacuzzi inside.  Each of the rooms are setup in the backdrop of the Coffee Estate.  Once you open the window screen, you will see the lush greenery around.  Some of the other facilities in the room include – Wi-Fi, Multiple charging points, Mini-Fridge, Coffee Maker, TV with Tata Sky, DVD Player, Hair Drier, Table, Sofa, Toilet, Bathroom, Wardrobe, Safety locker and many more.  The pillow here is quite soft and you feel like taking one back home.  Rooms are cleaned every day and the towels are replaced.  Many of the necessity items like – Tooth kit, Hand wash soap, Combs, Shower Gels, Conditioner, Shampoo, Body Lotions, Room Footwear are also kept.  The front desk is always ready to help if anything else is needed.

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Estate Terrace is another type of villa that has all the facilities like in Estate Villa.  But it is much larger and setup like a Duplex apartment.  The first floor has the bed overlooking the Coffee Plantation, the ground level has huge sitting section and a private pool.  The pool in the ground level can’t be seen from outside and it is private.  I stayed in this villa during my last visit to the same property.

Though there are slight differences in the 4 variants, every one of them is exquisite.  These kinds of setups are hard to recreate in a city and is best enjoyed at ‘The Serai – Chikmagalur’.

Restaurants
This is one of the most critical aspect of a resort which makes people happy.  We venture out of our homes in search of holiday, but end up missing our home food.  There are 2 options for travelers – Odyssey and Blue Sky Lounge.

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Odyssey is the places where breakfast, lunch, hi-tea and dinner is served.  It again overlooks the coffee estate and the open pool. They serve some wonderful dishes as part of the buffet. Special mention of the section in the middle where Deserts and Salads are placed.   There are live-counters where they make Dosa, Omelette & Rotti’s.  I have loved almost all the items that is served in this restaurant. If you need something customer made, they would be ready to help.

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Blue Sky Lounge is a beautiful place which has an indoor sitting section as well as the outdoor terrace section.  There are comfortable sofas inside for people to relax and unwind over a drink.  I love the outside because the wonderful view and fresh air.

Helipad
There is a helipad at the end of the resort, closer to the Presidential Suite.  It is for those travelers who do not want to travel by road but want to quickly drop-in to enjoy the resort.

Overall Experience
I had an awesome experience at the resort.  It is one of the places which relaxed me completely and left me rejuvenated.  The exteriors in the resort speaks a lot about the Architecture brilliance.  Landscape has been done so well that you feel like standing at every spot and clicking a picture.  Individually each of the rooms has been setup very well, with all the amenities. Recreational facilities are also quite good, which can keep adults as well as youngster engaged.  If you are planning to go on a holiday, this is on TOP OF MY RECOMMENDATION LIST.

I rate my overall experience at the Resort at 4.5/5.

References
The Serai
http://www.theserai.in/
The Serai – Chikmagalur
http://www.theserai.in/chikmagalur.php
Coffee – About Us
http://coffeeday.com/aboutus.html

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