Thursday 29 December 2016

Dhruv Punjabi - Antilog Vacations Rishikesh, Uttarakhand Review AVB0097849

Great combo of spirituality with adventure (Rafting & Bungee jumping)

On my trip to Rishikesh/Haridwar /Mussoorie with my wife, we chose to visit the holy place of Rishikesh as our first destination.

Coupled with the rich history of the sacred place, we also wanted to check out the adventure sports hub of uttaranchal, particularly the newly opened bungee jumping camp. We decided to book the trip and stay through the online portal of Antilog Vacations. The site was excellent with their networking amongst local travel and booking agents and they gave us a package suiting our needs to the hilt. Rates were genuine too!

Along with the white water rafting, kayaking, rappelling the Antilog guys also booked the Bungee Jumping station on the Rishikesh - Neelkanth road at Jumpin Heights. Our stay was booked at the Hotel Ganga Kinare and we visited the bungee jumping corner on the next day. The hotel authorities provided us with commute to the base camp. The jumping was an amazing experience and was pleasantly different from our experience in South Indian destination. My wife particularly enjoyed the jump from around 100 mts because of its landing just above the mouth of the white water river.

Our stay was short in the Hotel Ganga Kinare as we mostly stayed outdoors. The hotel looked decent and had that Indian look and feel to it. Moreover it had a private ghat which opened to the holy Ganges. The guests dipped themselves in the river facing the early morning sun, something which we too tried on the consequent day. ☺

Thus on the whole, the Hotel Ganga Kinare was a very reasonably priced property and the fact that we could get out of the hotel for a walk or jog right on the esplanade along the mighty Ganges was truly awesome. Hence we would highly recommend a stay here if you are visiting the “Gateway to the Himalayas”.

Nishant Punj - Antilog Vacations Goa Review AVB0097289

From the moment of arrival, we were fall in love with the place. The grand setup of ‘The Leela Goa’ has almost all the admirable high-end standard services. Everything was superb from rooms, lagoon areas, well cleaned & maintained furnishing. Entirely brilliant property in itself with the group of well treated courteous staff. Here, I firstly want to appreciate the efforts of our tour operator ‘Antilog Vacations’ for arranging such brilliant property even in this peak season. Within modern decorative style we loved the resort and its beautiful entrance.

We were also happy with the excellent staff and their helping customer service. Truly, the staff efforts were helpful in offering a relaxed and pleasant stay for every customer. All the rooms were well designed with an attached bathroom facility. We were satisfied with our relaxed stay. Everything was on time from the tour guide up to a driver. Things were perfectly managed by the professional Antilog Vacations group. Truly, we received valuable services within our cost.

Along with such fantastic stay, we also enjoyed our special moments with a romantic walk in well maintained garden area, cycling, the gym, the pool, live music and a lagoon view from our room. The sunset time at the beach was one of the most memorable time. As a couple, we spend our romantic moments there. And the spa treatment was best relaxing part to get re-energized feel.  

If we talk about the food delicacies then The Leela Goa provided in a high expensive range far away from the normal. Except for this part, we were heartily touching with their friendly services. Especially, on our anniversary day, we were wished by staff and specially treated by a complimentary wine and a cake. Overall, it was a perfect holiday at one of our favorite destinations. Entirely, cool visit within the supportive services of Antilog Vacations group. Definitely want to visit again!

Wednesday 28 December 2016

Raphael Moatty - Antilog Vacations Rotorua, New Zealand Review AVB0098916

We visited NZ for our honeymoon and stayed at the Distinction Hotel and Holiday Inn in Rotorua for 8 nights. The booking was made by honeymoon specialists - Antilog Vacations. They had arranged for a complete package deal and that too at an affordable rate.  The hotel has one of the most excellent reception areas we had ever seen. The doorway provided an amazing sight of the interspersing blue and green scenery. Moreover given the lovely climes of Rotorua prevailed throughout our stay and the weather and sun did not play spoilsport.

Located in the Bay of Plenty, the resort gets its name from Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe or the second great lake of Kahumatamomoe. It enjoys a perfect positioning. The staff at the reception – esp. Steve was quite adept and ensured we faced no hassles in relocation to our room. A stockily built suite of around 45 sq mt greeted us on our arrival. The linens were spotlessly clean and the bed had multiple pillows. I usually sleep with extra side pillows and was not complaining!! ☺ The curtains were covered by the blackout drapes which provided a nice cushion to the conditioned air especially in the afternoons.

The nearby towns of Tauranga, Taupo and the speciality of the area or the geothermal zones and the hot geysers at the Pohutu Geyser and at the Whakarewarewa region provided a kind of healing therapy and also offered amazing views of the ocean. The lakes and the hot mud pools were an ideal place to go over through the bridge and spend some quality time. The evergreen pine forests and hills were located nearby and accentuated the experience.

Thus the Distinction Hotel is a picturesque hotel and is highly recommended based on our experience, especially with the services of Antilog Vacations team.

Hariom Mehta - Antilog Vacations Kerala Review AVB0098497

We (me and my wife) stayed at the Cardamom County for a couple of days while returning from Thekkady and absolutely enjoyed the place. Thekkady might be the bigger brother but Kumily with all its sweetness and cozyness makes up for a great location. Antilog Vacations had booked the Cardamom, a resort named after the Cardamom Hills located nearby at the border of the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. As evident from the name, the spices are quite popular here.

We were greeted by exceedingly gracious staff who were all quite obliging and looked very interested to know how our journey was and whether we faced any issues in locating the resort or not.  Our rooms were ready at the onset and the butler immediately carried our bags to our room. The reception area had a large poster of the nearby hills and the tea and coffee plantation have a pretty picturesque symmetry which we saw in the course of our stay.

The resort was impeccably spotless and had a nice odour. The room we got was in the first floor and at around 450 sq ft of space it was roomy and very comfy. The monkeys on the roof terrace of the restaurant were such that you could fall in love with them as apart from being amusing and friendly they did not disturb the guests at all and kept the people engaged with their idiosyncrasies. The fruit bats were another interesting aspect of the resort as we saw them for the first time and the bamboo trees converse to the resort was their abode in the evenings.

We would recommend the Lord's Spice shop in the opposite road for spices related issues as the shop had a wide variety and they had some tie up with the resort. The staff seemed genuine and was not the typical salesmen types. ☺

Tuesday 27 December 2016

Prabhat Malik - Antilog Vacations Manali Review AVB0098517

I was on a trip of the northern hill stations with my family and had decided to start our 2 week long trip with the famous duo of Kullu and Manali, Manali being first. We had done our entire booking through the online travel portal of Antilog Vacations. The site is quite good when it comes to North Indian trips and I would definitely recommend the same to everyone.

It is very user friendly and helped us plan the itinerary and liaise with their agents to decide on the most convenient fares. Thus our entire trip of 6 people (parents, wife and kids) was well within our budget and we had no hassles as all pre-bookings were done by them. The Vintage Hotel was booked in Manali as our first abode and we had decided on the same after seeing some of the pics of the hotel on the site.

All in all barring some minor glitches (which I would mention herein) our stay was decent. For starters, the rooms were of good quality, orderly and comfy. Moreover the view of snow capped mountain ranges from the balcony was truly magnificent. The bath was well positioned but it lacked an exhaust fan and given the cold climate (and lack of fans) it was all the more needed. Also an electric kettle would suffice well for the resort as we had to regularly call the reception for hot water.

The room service was very hospitable and friendly however we felt some exterior cleaning of the windows would have amplified the beauty of the surroundings and added to the ambience. The food was fresh and delicious though. Room service was also much in vogue there because of the efficient service of the waiters!

Finally, a word of thanks to Antilog Vacations team for his help and support during our stay.

Frank Anthony - Antilog Vacations New Zealand Review AVB0097249

The Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier located near the Fox Glacier in Westland National Park has a niche existence. It was because of our travel operator – Antilog Vacations budget couple package deal of New Zealand that we got to hear about the place and hence were glad to visit the hotel. The motel was a little old fashioned but was well maintained and clean and comfy.

We stayed in the room 101 which was located on the ground floor. It overlooked the garden courtyard area. Car parking was nearby too. The room had essential amenities like a double bed which was accompanied with a large duvet and satin curtains. Other stuff like TV, fridge, minibar, hairdryer, tea and coffee makers, electric kettle and safe were present too. The sofa set and tables were sturdy. Unfettered wifi access at a nominal cost of $5 per hour added that extra zing to the ambience. Laundry facilities at hotel were washing machine (rates of $3), dryer and detergent (facilities for $2) with an equipped internet kiosk.

Moreover the main road in the Fox Glacier Village started from behind the hotel and all the local stores like general store, fuel stop and souvenir shop were nearby. We would suggest asking for a room off the western balcony area which did not face the road as it led to the Lake Matheson. A room in the main building if coupled with this factor would be the best choice as I am sure it would be much better than the rooms present in the annex. These rooms got a very strong light throughout the day and even escaped the cold winds in the night. Thus it was possible to sleep with curtains open and this allowed the windy fresh air to circulate in our rooms.

Monday 26 December 2016

Akhil Dhar - Antilog Vacations Mauritius Review AVB0098667

The Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa provided an excellent 5 star hotel stay replete with private beaches and superb ambience. We booked the resort with the help of Antilog Vacations. They informed us about an interesting booking option i.e. booking through the Starwood Preferred Guest or the SPG option and it helped us getting a free upgrade from our existing room. So kudos to our Antilog Vacations for the same.

As we entered the Grand Mauritian Resort, we sighted the private boat house located in the North West corner. The private boat house intrigued us greatly initially. Apart from the awesome stay, it included a bunch of options like boating, tube riding and speed boating. We used all the selections in the course of or stay. The Mandara Spa located besides the boat house was an excellent place to unwind as the therapists were skilled and combined superb therapies with the tranquil feel of the water and the retreat. The spa is probably the best kept secret of the resort as it will definitely pleasantly surprise you. The gym or the Fitness centre was located on the first floor of the Mandara and it was really well developed. A group of elliptical trainers and treadmills provided nice workout options too.

The next day we went for a trip to the Saya de Malha Bank and the Hawkins Bank areas. The areas were quite developed in fishing. The tour operator fixed us up with a free tour of the fishing techniques. We had lunch at the beach restaurant located by its side. Fresh fish curry was the norm of the day and they were best enjoyed with the steamed rice they served. Talking of food our resort served great quality stuff too and the Indian dinners on alternate days were really fantastic.

Ridhima Pathania - Antilog Vacations Kerala Review AVB0097509

Me and my husband visited the Pozhiyoram Beach Resort last month. Our initial plan of visiting Kerala had failed once earlier and so we were not taking any chances this time. We got ready and left for Kerala the first moment we had an opening through the discounted services of Antilog Vacations. Finally it turned out we had chosen a good time as per the suggestion by our tour operator. It was an off season and we had the entire resort to ourselves.

Thus we got to enjoy the facilities as we had read in Antilog Vacations reviews that it has a tendency to get cluttered at times. The nice thing is that the beach is a stone’s throw away and we spent most of our time on the beach and had a great time there. The hammocks are present around the resort and we spent some time there too. The hammocks felt great as we lazed and lingered our time there and watched the beautiful setting sun in the sea.

The morning and evening time is also cock a hoop with fishermen and their boats and it also gives a nice effect to the place. Tariff wise the resort was okay as it did not burn a big hole in our pockets. The food could have been better, I thought but that might have been because I did not particularly like the local cuisine but my husband used to suggest that their food was pretty authentic.

The rooms were not very modern in its appearance and the AC and the water supply could do with a revamp. The balconies again were quite nice and all in all I think we enjoyed our time there, don’t know whether it's because of the resort or because of the surroundings. But worth a visit if you like sea and hence the place gets a recommendation from me.

Sunday 25 December 2016

Vardan Sarin - Antilog Vacations Havelock review AVB0097036

Stayed for 7 nights at Barefoot resort with our 2 children aged 10 and 13, in the larger cabin with two floors. Very spacious area arranged by Antilog Vacations with double bed facility and 2 futon chairs. Or can say a good place which could accommodate more people. We were also facilitated with en-suite bathroom with desk and cupboard space. Quaint accommodation but it was very cosy and comfortable. In the sleeping area, beds were covered with good quality mosquito net. Most importantly, we enjoyed a small distance up to a scenic white sand beach. We fully enjoyed the crystal clear water & fun activities at Radhanagar beach. The beach has been voted the best in Asia.

As per a well planned holiday package from Antilog Vacations group, our booked Barefoot resort also provides beach towels and mats as there were no loungers availability on the beach. It was a fabulous family vacation, which we spend in Andaman. Had a wonderful experience of scuba diving assisted by professional experts. It is also a perfect place to enjoy diving or snorkeling like water activities. It was a best ever trip to reinvent yourself away from the scheduled routine.

If we discuss about the food part then it was excellent resort. Within the terms of food, we highly recommend their fresh whole red snapper in garlic sauce and butter. After the order, we’ve to wait for around 40 mins but it was absolutely delicious. If we figure out the care and concern about the customer end, then it is the first hotel in India which we have experienced. Like, our daughter has food allergy and in such condition resturant staff but their extra effort to check out the ingredients before to serve. Fabulous and recommendable work of Antilog Vacations team in a whole trip!

Brijesh Nair - Antilog Vacations Maldives Review AVB0098907

I returned from my honeymoon in Maldives recently. Our stay was at the Taj Exotica & Spa resort there. Booked by Antilog Vacations team, the resort was a royal treat. It was simply exceptional from the onset. The entry area was so perfectly done and the receptionist carried a loving smile. The waiters extended courteous hospitality and we were soon encapsulated with their warmth.

The beauty of the room was beyond words; we had never seen anything like that earlier. The Kashmiri carpet overlapped the entire area and the windows had large classy curtains. It was a lagoon villa and had a fantastic setting by the waters. Light breeze kept the weather moderate and even the afternoons were comfortable without the AC. We were also given a butler who was a constant helping hand. He came up with these surprises which kept us guessing including a bed of roses on day 1 and a royal candlelight dinner arrangement by the pool on the final day.

A certain Mr. Abdullah at the scuba dive centre took care of our adventure whims and even arranged a collage of photographs on the final day comprising of the best moments from our stay. One tip for the fellow travelers would be to try out all the facilities at the resort. They have such a huge list of them that you could easily get lost in its mire!! Your local butler would be handy for the same as Sanjay was for us. Another option is to send the hotel a wishlist before your arrival as our travel operators – Antilog Vacations had already done for us.

Lastly again a note of thanks to Taj Exotica Resort guys for making our honeymoon so special and making it an even memorable and joyous occasion than we had envisaged.

Friday 23 December 2016

Madhav Mansingh - Antilog Vacations Manali Review AVB0097266

We visited the scenic hill station of Manali last month. It was a 5 day trip with my wife and we both were in favour of pre- booking and hence we decided to check out the upcoming travel portal of Antilog Vacations. Unlike some of the other travels sites the booking process was quite simplified and we were able to book our tickets with minimal hassles. Because of some prior connections of the travel site with the resort we were able to get a discounted deal and we even got a free upgrade when we reached the resort. The Hotel Sandhya was booked as our reside for the 5 day vacation.

The Antilog Vacations personnel had arranged for a cab and we reached the hotel at dusk. The milieu coupled with the foggy weather entranced us at the onset. There were some hassles with the parking space because of a slope and space crunch but somehow our driver slotted it home.

We got a room in one of the cottages and it was very comfortable and spacious. The wooden structure surrounding the cottage was well built and beautified the ambience. The toilets were very clean and the private balcony was also nice. The evening cuppa of tea at the balcony with my wife acted as the perfect unwinder and transported us to a different level. The food at the restaurant was also decent and had many choices.

Mr. Duggal, the general manager acted us the perfect guide too and arranged for local rides along with what to see info. The other manager Mr. Negi was also influential with the localities and had a pretty good knowledge about Manali. Thus all in all Hotel Sandhya was definitely worth the stay and together with Antilog vacations provided a unforgettable experience. Can’t wait to get back!!

Rudra Malhotra - Antilog Vacations Christchurch, New Zealand Review AVB0097592

We stayed at the Heartland Hotel Cotswold in the second week of last month as we had gone there for our honeymoon. The travel from Antilog Vacations had arranged a low cost package deal for 6 days and 7 nights whilst at the same time not compromising on quality and frills at the hotel. That's why we enjoyed the hotel and the tour operator greatly and decided on writing a review for them.

The hotel has a homely feel and is located at a distance of 2 kms from the CBD. Thus it is a nice and comfortable 20 minutes ride followed by a smooth check in process. The concierge and staff were accommodating, smiling and welcoming and did not let the feeling of an alien land from coming into our minds.

Our room was very spacious at around 45 sq mt and the king size beds were quite soft. The lounge area coupled with the minibar and the plasma television kept the living area simple but elegant. Additionally there was ample space and arrangements in the sitting area and the walls were impressively decorated. The wooden furniture looked classy and accentuated the beauty of the room. The balcony of the room though opened into a closed wall and the view was not at all great from our room. Moreover the cold winds too disturbed us during the evenings. Apart from these everything was fine.

Room service was also quite professional and though the 2 restaurants were located close to our room we enjoyed room food service during our stay. The French cuisine at the place was an enjoyable fare and should be tried out if you are here. The bar and the restaurant also had a set menu option for the time conscious people.

Dinesh Gohil - Antilog Vacations Kerala Review AVB0097290

I visited Kerala with my wife during last year and Alleppey was a place I was really looking forward to because of the highly acclaimed backwaters and the overall general beauty of the place. We had seen some reviews and talked to some of our friends and had decided to zero in on the Palm Grove Lake Resort. The place didn’t disappoint us.

Just as you enter this hotel, you will realise the name is not a misnomer with the queue of palm trees lined up around the resort, all swaying in the soothing sea breeze giving a perfect setting for a holiday. The rooms are clean and spacious with majestic beds in the middle increasing its beauty. The rooms have an outdoor bathroom and an open air shower which is again a novel idea and both me and my wife enjoyed the concept. The resort staffs are genial and amiable and take good care of all the guests.

The food is quite tasty and the room service is also efficient. The waiters pay heed to personal requests and served the food wherever we desired. The majestic houseboat given by the resort was another high point in the trip and we roamed about freely in the backwaters aboard the boat. The butlers there also arranged food and beverages and we had consummate ease during our voyage. So a highly recommended place and can’t wait to get back to this wonderful hotel.

Thus Palm Grove Lake resort is somewhere you can visit if you are here in this laidback town of Alleppey. A word of caution though, the mosquitoes are really high in number here because of the nearby stretch of water bodies and hence try remaining indoors after nightfall and carry good mosquito repellents if you want to escape the harmful mosquito bites.

Ramya Venugopal - Antilog Vacations Fiji Review AVB0097895

The trip to the Mana Islands was a pending quixotic wish for me and my husband which materialized only because of an excellent 5 day, 4 night package in the website Antilog Vacations. The package included air travel, accommodation and sight seeing and was available at a completely affordable rate. This travel site is highly recommended if you are looking for a trip to the islands which were formed through volcanic and geothermal activities starting around 150 million years ago.

The picturesque Mana Island in the Mamanuca Group contains the Tadrai Island Resort. The Resort lies 15 miles from the main island of Viti Levu and another 30 kilometres from Nadi International Airport. Our stay in Mana was a ‘complete’ one with great milieu, delectable food, friendly staff and grand swimming pools. The coral reef and the sandy beaches were also a stone’s throw away from the main resort thereby amplifying the locational advantage of the Tadrai. The best part of the resort is its idyllic charm and how it cut us away from the daily monotonous life and presented us with an opportunity to converse with our other side.

The rooms were neat and well maintained. They were of approx 45 sq mt in area and my wife particularly like the violet velvety pillows which provided a nice contrast to the bed sheet. The bath was well equipped with toiletries and the view from the windows was stupendous. The crew was very friendly and gave us many tidbits about the history of the place.

The Fisherman's Village was another major tourist attraction there. It was around 10 mins from the resort. We took a cab to visit the village and the fare of the same was nominal. Various themed restaurants and bars outlined the flavor of the island there and thus all in all we ended up having a great time.

Tuesday 20 December 2016

Atul Madan - Antilog Vacations Manali Review AVB0097522

I was scheduled to go to Himachal Pradesh for a couple of weeks for my plan visit and client presentation and hence I decided to tag my fiancé along. Manali was one of the first on our list of places to visit because of its scenic beauty.

We decided to make our official bookings through the travel portal of Antilog vacations and they arranged for everything – right from cabs to flights to our holiday bookings. Located at around 250 km north of the state’s capital, Shimla, Manali nearest airport was the Kullu - Manali Airport (located in Bhuntar). The cab was waiting for us at the airport and the road from the airport to the Hotel Snowcrests Manor (our abode in Manali) was quite pleasant and thrilling.

Located near Log Hut Complex, the hotel is around 2km from the Mall Road. Snowfall had started happening slightly as we reached and this made the road slightly treacherous. The driver was apt and we did not face any major hassles. However we understood that because of the hilly terrain the resort could become very difficult to reach in times of heavy snowfall.

Some construction work in front of the hotel could’ve slightly hampered the view but our rooms on the posterior side still retained its tranquil charm and snow capped sights. One minor deterrent is the unavailability of lifts and consequently we had to climb our 3rd floor room☹. The room was very clean and orderly though. It was around 400 sq ft in area and had provisions of 24 x 7 geyser, room heater etc. The hotel as such was centrally heated to combat the chilly conditions.

The hotel was also popular for organizing theme parties during Christmas and New Year and hence these would be the best times to visit the Snowcrests Manor.

Andricia Ramirez - Antilog Vacations Mauritius Review AVB0097064

We (me and my boyfriend) stayed at the Hilton Mauritius Resort for four days. We were travelling from South Africa and had booked the lovely resort through the online portal of Antilog Vacations. The site came up in a random search and fulfilled our expectations.

The gardens are very nice and neatly maintained. A road adjacent to the hotel starts from the garden and is generally used for travel to the city or the beach. Though the road is a little narrow but travelling as a couple the route is quite romantic. A long stretch of the Flic en Flac public beach area is nearby which leads to a plethora of beach restaurants and shacks.

The beach is a non swimming one but a haven for photographers given its exquisite milieu. Small coral and pebble pieces line the beach and hence it is advisable not to walk bare footed. Another interesting thing is that small canoes, paddle boats and kayaks are available nearby freely and competent people could go for a ride as the sea is not that rough. Snorkeling over the nearby coral reef is another must try in case you are here. Gear and other stuff are easily available here.

The room was quite spacious but surprisingly the bed’s mattress was a little hard. The room was replenished and cleared twice per day and had basic facilities. The bath could have been a little larger though and usual stuff was supplied. Robes and slippers were also provided.

The spa available at the resort was highly marketed and we were really looking forward to it. It was not the best massage we had experienced and we would have liked slightly better experience given the tariff we were paying. The gym and the sauna - steam rooms though were located nearby and aided in providing a holistic experience.

Yogendra Garyali - Antilog Vacations Alleppey, Kerala Review AVB0097597

Recently, i returned from my relaxing Kerala visit and want to share major tips. Truly, it’s satisfied journey with the equal support, care, services and well wishes of our tour operator ‘Antilog Vacations’.  

DO’S:
  • Enjoy the view from the Palm Grove Lake Resort and speak with the hotel authorities for great houseboat trips as the crew can organize really wonderful trip on the backwaters in pretty good time.
  • Talk a walk on the road bordering the backwaters and enjoy the fisherman’s quays and the stacked boats if you want to appreciate nature.
  • The resort has a tie-up with massage centre and make sure to take the spa massages if you are here. Alleppey and Kerala as such are famous for its massages and you won’t be disappointed here. The special perfumed oils are a treat and really help you to refresh and rejuvenate.
  • Try the special range of assorted milkshakes along with the fried add ons in the evening. This completely goes with the mood in the evenings and you can enjoy the setting sun against the backdrop of a nice meal.
  • Get a tuk-tuk or a cycle through bookings done with the hotels and roam about the nearby town. You will get a glimpse of the country side dotted with beautiful palm trees in and around the resort.
  • Get out and grab the hammocks before others and this is somewhere you feel find great comfort as we are not easily exposed to hammocks in our daily lives. The soothing sea breeze adds to the mood and you really end up spending a long time on these. 

DON’TS:
  • Don’t go to the place without prior booking with the hotel authorities and arranging for a pick up facility as the roads leading up to the hotel is not very friendly for newcomers and you can get lost here.
  • Don’t come here if you prefer the hectic travelling style and don’t like lazing around and killing time, as the time really comes to a standstill here sometimes as you gaze in on the backwaters.

Kiran Saran - Antilog Vacations Fiji Review AVB0097590

Browsing through hotels before visiting a place is one of my favourite pass times as you not only have a plethora of options at your disposal but also get some useful knowledge about the place and its surroundings. Consequently while planning a trip to Fiji last month I surveyed through a lot of travel portals. My husband had given me a free hand in choosing the resort and consequently I read all the reviews of hotels in Fiji in the travel portal Antilog Vacations and finally zeroed in on the Namale Resort. The site also prognosticated that the time we were visiting was the best season for staying in Fiji and we were on our way.

We reached the resort promptly as it was close to the airport. We had booked the double deluxe room and the receptionist directed us to our room immediately. The room was majestic with luxurious wardrobes, LCD TV, split air conditioners, refrigerators. The majestic double bed by the window also provided a nice view of the outlining greenery. The butler reminded us of our freebies – a free massage and complimentary breakfast!!

The foot massage was so relaxing that we ended up taking some more of these and also whole body massages in the consequent days. The therapists were skilled and the assortment of massages offered was also diverse. The service and attitude of the other staff members is praiseworthy. The dining centre was a boutique place. The chef complimented it with the most delectable dishes and choices.

Next day we visited the Nananu-i-Ra Island — off the northern coast of Viti Levu. The coral reefs are also located quite nearby and hence reef viewing is quite easy if you are here. Thus we had a lovely time at the Namale and would definitely like to return here in the future.

Sunday 18 December 2016

Chirag Dhumal - Antilog Vacations MOUNT ABU, Rajasthan Review AVB0097301

Last month wanting an escapade from Delhi, me and my girlfriend decided to book a trip to the western desert of Rajasthan. We had plans of visiting Mount Abu and Jaisalmer among other adjoining areas and accordingly made our bookings through the popular online travel portal of Antilog Vacations.

We decided to go to Mount Abu first and though the nearest airport was Udaipur at a distance of around 200 km, but the Antilog Vacations customer care representative suggested us to go via the Ahmedabad airport as it had better connectivity and the route was only slightly longer at around 220 odd kms. They had booked a cab in advance it helped kick start our trip peacefully.

The road leading up to Abu was bordered by the red Aravalli Mountains and the spiraling roads ensured we passed through multiple waterfalls. The hill station is located on a discrete rocky plateau which gives a unique appeal to the milieu. Our accommodation there was booked at the Ratan Villas, which was quite far from the heart of the city and especially the railway station of Abu Road. Hence people travelling via trains should make note of this aspect.

The distant location is a boon for Ratan Villas though as it cuts out the hubbub of other market places and ensures a nice cozy and niche place. Our room was on the ground floor and the butlers immediately shifted our luggage to our room. The room was well equipped with modern furniture and had large windows which ensured we had an excellent view of the bordering landscaped gardens.

The owners provide a distinct package to the guests inclusive of trekking. However given the raining season they sometimes deter the guests from the same give the slippery and moist surfaces. Luckily, it was not the raining season when we visited and hence we had a grand time.

Sean Peterson - Antilog Vacations Queenstown, New Zealand Review AVB0097028

We (me and my girlfriend) stayed at the Goldridge Resort a few times over the last year on our frequent fishing trips to the Queenstown lake area, which is a nice place for a variety of fishes. The best part of Goldridge is that it is an excellent budget priced place and ideal for these kind of short trips. We got the good deal online through the portal of Antilog Vacations. Initial welcome and checking in there was not problematic and Antilog Vacations had ensured our reservations properly. The staff was friendly and helpful despite the budget pricing of the hotel and assisted us throughout our stay.

The balcony room in the block 5 provided an excellent view of the bordering lake. The balcony is decently large and coupled with the rocking chair is a haven for 2 people. Our room was comfortable and spacious. The bed was large and covered a decent area in the room of 550 sq ft. The bathroom was adequately decked with toiletries. The resort was located back enough from the main road such that the milieu was not noisy. We also got the info that the hotel was built with exteriors ahead of its time and hence needs a bit of renovation to complete the look.

The breakfast was included in the package. It was one of the high points in our stay as the buffet had exciting varieties on offer. Moreover while having the buffet breakfast; the great view of the valley out of the breakfast table window was exotic. The chef was preparing scrambled,  fried or poached egg for breakfast. The motel is as such located very close to the main road in mainland Queenstown but any impending worries about the traffic noise was uncalled for as the sliding glass door took care of it and it was not a problem at all.

Thursday 15 December 2016

Parineeti Bhave - Antilog Vacations Manali Review AVB0097029

I was on my maiden vacation to the subcontinent with my fiancé and what better place to kick start the trip than India, an amazingly exotic country. Being avid hill station lovers we decided to start our trip from Manali, the famous hill station in Northern India. Along with the snow capped peaks, being a total foodie I was also looking forward to having some authentic Indian dishes there as I had heard a lot about them.

While pre-booking, I decided to use the travel website of Antilog Vacations based on positive recommendations from a friend. The site was helpful and adept in finding the correct accommodations and we got our entire India leg booked at nominal prices too.

The Heritage Village Resort in Manali was our first abode in India and we both were quite excited. The travel guys had arranged a cab from the Delhi international terminal and after the picturesque 15 hour drive we reached the hallowed gates of the Heritage. The resort impressed us from the outset and we got a duplex suite in the western corner of the resort. The room was large(>500 sq ft) and the windows ensured a glamorous view.

The resort was slightly removed from the rush of the central town but the “country side location” worked well for us. Sightseeing options were aplenty close to the Heritage and the hotel manager was friendly and doubled up as our guide. The trip to Rohtang was one of the major attractions and the place was really awesome and the 3k was worth spending on that trip.

The food was a tad disappointing though given my high expectations and the quantity too left a lot to be desired. They should improve on this aspect get increased footfall. Thus on the whole we found more positives than negatives and hence recommend the hotel and responsible services of Antilog Vacations.

Malina Janah - Antilog Vacations Alleppey Review AVB0097269


Excellent Ayurvedic treatment with a complete pleasure of holidays

Krishnendu Ayurveda Resort is a great place in Alleppey and though it is primarily known as a medicinal centre I would like to state that it is an excellent resort too and hence it provides a great dual experience if you are suffering from any ailments as it de-stresses you and also gives you the pleasure of a holiday.

Most of the guys I interacted with during my stay were regular clients who had come for the medicinal values of the resort. However there was one family who had come to enjoy their holidays here too. Here I would like to state that the Krishnendu Ayurveda Resort is a great exponent of the famous Kerala Ayurvedic massages and you can’t say you are really refreshed and de-stressed unless you have experienced the same here in this resort. They handle the massages really professionally and the therapists are quite adept at their job. Moreover the ayurvedic and the rejuvenation centres are really well maintained and the inside environment is quite comfy.

The yoga teacher and the dietician know their job well and I got a nice overall health check up done at the resort. Each visitor is given individual attention by the doctors and staff, something which must be appreciated. The resort has a well maintained garden and surrounding palm and coconut trees provide a picturesque view. The rooms too are quite clean and well kept by the staff. All in all an experience certainly worth experiencing and something which I can guarantee you won’t regret.

Moreover if you have not planned your holidays well and there are some last minute changes, the authorities at Krishnendu Ayurveda Resort are quite efficient in working at the eleventh hour and arranging something or the other for you. Hence this resort definitely gets thumbs up from me.

Aparna Barua - Antilog Vacations Paro, Bhutan Review AVB0098196

I stopped for a night in the Pelri Cottages with my hubby and was accommodated in a twin room. Travelling throughout Paro, Bhutan over a short time period had its pros and cons and we felt it would be best if we could arrange our trip through a travel operator. Antilog Vacations, a premier travel portal made our trip and helped us plan it with us and kept it lean and on a budget.

Hotel is located near Tashi Rabten as a popular landmark of the area. The room was basic. There was no AC installed in the room and on the single night we spent there, luckily it was not very warm and hence we slept with an open window. Though a nice cool sea breeze blew through the windows, the noises and usual commotion expected from a capital and busy streets were present throughout the night. A second bed was too available inside the room and it is basically a foldable sofa which could be aligned accordingly. The large plasma TV added that touch of modernization in the hotel as the interiors mostly antique pieces. Thus the room had a stylish appeal and catered to varying tastes. One small problem we faced was that the bathroom door creaked slightly while opening and closing causing a little inconvenience every time we used the toilet.

Breakfast was included as a complementary feature in the room rate and hence we enjoyed our meal to the fullest during our solitary meal. Bacon, sausages, hash browns, tomatoes, baked beans, mushrooms, selection of assorted muffins, muesli, pastries, tea, coffee and fruit juice and milk shakes served as a filling meal in a self service buffet. Overall, it’s good with the services of Antilog Vacations, especially during our last moment planning.

Akhil Jayaraj - Antilog Vacations Kerala Review AVB0096581

Positives
The Lemon Tree Vembanad Lake Resort is a well located resort flanked with lush green surroundings. The rooms are spacious and there is a great view of the lakes from them. The hotel has their own private houseboats which are a real treat if you want to visit the backwaters. We took one such houseboat and went for a long trip on the beautiful backwaters; we found the houseboat really open and it had a Jacuzzi to top it all. The great view from the houseboats can act as an ideal timepass once you have lived in the villa for 1-2 days.

The rooms in the resort are well stocked with various facilities. We rented a DVD from the reception and watched some movies in the DVD player provided. There is also nice Ayurvedic spa cum massage centre nearby in which we had the renowned Kerala body massages, which were quite relaxing and soothing.

Negative
Though the crew worked hard but the service left a lot to be desired, sometimes they were quite slow and sometimes they had problems understanding the language. The food is another area where the resort has a lot of scope to improve.

We stayed there for almost 4 days but we were not particularly pleased with the quality of food served. Also the menu was not keeping up with the theme of the resort. Also no other quality eateries being in the surroundings the problem is compounded and hence we had to bear with the mediocre food.

After dusk there is some issues with insects something which the hotel authorities valiantly tried to do away with. Had a decent stay and is good for a one-off trip if you are looking to keep it short. Budget wise it is sort of ok and it again depends on your choices.

How to better the experience
Try booking thru a good travel agent. They give discounts on room, houseboat, taxi nd everything and u face no hassle. We booked from
www.antilogvacations.com which is quite good and reliable. They r honest & low cost. Booking directly frm Hotel can land u in not so good rooms & ur costings will be high

Wednesday 14 December 2016

Girish Dayalan - Antilog Vacations Manali Review AVB0098269

I wanted my honeymoon to be unforgettable and therefore premeditated a lot before going ahead with the same. After visiting copious travel sites, online portals and agencies, I zeroed in on the site of Antilog Vacations.

I found the site to be extremely info-heavy and extensive for honeymoon packages and accordingly I booked a 6 day package at Manali. The picturesque milieu of Manali matched both me and my wife’s idea of a perfect honeymoon and the Antilog Vacations guys booked the Hotel Vintage for our stay there. We booked the royal honeymoon suite for our holiday and the other travel arrangements were taken care of by the Antilog vacations people.

Located near the Left Bank in the famous Aleo Naggar Road, the Vintage Hotel had a supreme location and was known by almost all cabbies in the vicinity. From the first look it looked a “vintage” stay at the Hotel and we were not disappointed by the end of the 6th day. Right from the concierge to the management team to the staff boys, everybody carried a sense of pride in their job and made our stay worthwhile.

The actual room looked far better than the photographs on the Antilog Vacations website, (something which we really appreciated ☺). Our suite was around 600 sq ft and deftly furnitured along with a fine carpeted floor. Moreover our stay was accentuated with the presence of excellent food, wonderful views and precise sightseeing arrangements.

The manager arranged for almost all sightseeing places including the famous Rohtang Pass. It reminded me of my previous trip to Tiger Hill in West Bengal as we had to get up at 3:00 am to reach the top point because of the looming traffic jam. This Hotel Vintage should definitely be on your list in case you are planning on a value for money stay in Manali.

Adrien Royer - Antilog Vacations Wellington, New Zealand Review AVB0097859

The Bay Plaza Hotel is one of the best budget hotels in the capital of New Zealand, Wellington. I was travelling with my family from Australia and a nice week long trip across the country of NZ was an ideal way to unwind as it was a holiday which was long in the offing. Antilog Vacations, who specialises in low priced packages, arranged the trip for us. Wellington which is the world's southernmost capital city, is projected by the media as the coldest capital in the world, really has lot of engrossing places and we were able to cover most of the places in our holiday.

The southwestern tip of the Bay plaza was quite close to the outer boundary of the North Island and as arranged by the travel desk we saw the beautiful valley there between the Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. The resort is located close to the Wellington Harbour and being the central business district the majority of the people and the shops are located here. The best thing about the resort as I mentioned earlier were the people at its travel desk. Being well informed and having a good network they arranged various trips to places like the northern one to Porirua on Porirua Harbour (special for its large Māori and Pacific Island communities), shopping locales like Lower Hutt and Upper Hutt areas ( together known as the Hutt Valley).

Our suggestion to fellow passengers would be to explore the Hotel Bay Plaza On Line, as if you can bargain this is the best shopping plaza with the best prices per night being available. Also just across the street is the New World Supermarket, which is a great place for the Tiki Tour as the food assortment is the best there along with elaborate sightseeing options available.

Monday 12 December 2016

Daniel Monara - Antilog Vacations Gold Coast, Australia Review AVB0098259

Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach has a prominent location in Gold Coast, Australia. We recently stayed for a couple of nights before moving on to our next location. The place was adequately staffed and the staff was helpful and courteous. Moreover they had the presence of mind of making a note of the e-mail sent by our travel booking website – Antilog Vacations and as we learned later even before we had confirmed they had arranged for a drop off and pickup facility.

As we entered the place we were greeted by a large swimming pool, which was really well maintained. The temperature of the place was freezing throughout our stay and hence we did not venture out to swim in the cold water. However taking into the constraint of the prevailing windy weather and extreme climes, the pool would have been a worthwhile visit during the summer. The shuttle service provided by the hotel was helpful as it saved my mother from the tiresome walk up the alley. Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach also had great connectivity to the nearby restaurants and places and hence could be used as a hub for visits to adjoining places of interest.

The room had separate bathroom, lounge, bed and dining area. The entire outlook was very clean and had an interesting mix of colours in the form of bright curtains & cushions and some oil paintings. For independent sightseeing the resort's helpdesk provides various options and also a shuttle service to the nearby busy road (sorry forgot the name) which had a bus stop right outside the pavement and we got commutes to the central city frequently from there. Thus the Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach, Gold Coast warrants a visit as a comfy neighborhood stay and restaurant recommendation.

Jurgen Lamp - Antilog Vacations Kerala Review AVB0098596

I visited the Green Palace Kerala Resort with my wife some days back. I had done some analysis on the popular resorts around Alleppey and found that this place suited our budget and had room vacancies in the slot we needed. So we decided to go ahead with this along with the services of Antilog Vacations.

The Green Palace is different from the usual resorts we come across; it is not really located on any direct connected land. It is located on a sort of an island, which can prove to be quite appealing initially. The first look of the same really got my wife excited and she was amazed to get this kind of a facility in India. However, there were some issues in the commute part which spoiled the fun slightly. You have to take a boat to enter the hotel premises and we had to wait for some time before finding our room.

Finally upon embarking we were given cottages from where we had a decent lake view and the coconut groves surrounding the resort add to the aesthetic beauty. Moreover there are some other herbal plants too nearby which are said to have excellent medicinal values by the staff. The evenings were nice with the passing of the various houseboats and other small boats giving nice views for sore eyes.

On the other side however, we did not relish the food and the staff service was mediocre, sometimes being good while sometimes left a lot to be desired. So all in all was a mixed experience, not something to be recommended highly or something to be totally voiced against. So, if you are looking for a short trip you can give a look in into this Green Palace Kerala Resort. However, if we talk about the work, services and efforts of Antilog Vacations group then it was fabulous!

Saturday 10 December 2016

Rahul Pasricha - Antilog Vacations Dharamshala and McLeodGanj Review AVB0098923

The trip to Dharamshala and McLeodGanj was an impromptu decision and came about when we (me and my 3 friends) thought of a 4 day getaway from the heat of Delhi. After going through some travel portals we chose the Antilog Vacations for our pre booking as the site looked robust in its outlook. We really liked the pictures of one Spring Valley and consequently we booked the same. We got an amazing discount on the 4 day package. Moreover their tie up with various travel agencies made our interim commute easy and ensured a total relief package.

The receptionist directed us to our rooms as soon as we arrived. From the first look, I loved the room. It was bright, well decorated and quite spacious at around 500 sqft.  Moreover it was clean and well maintained. The bathroom was nice looking too and it had a properly functioning geyser which was extremely crucial given the freezing conditions. Another high point was the superb view from the large window in the room which ensured a snow capped view of the Himalayas every morning. My photographer friend had a field day with his DSLR and captured some amazing snaps in that early morning light.

The food was delectable and the room service was good. The dining area was located near the garden and had wonderful tables. The breakfast was memorable for the varieties of tea on offer. There was a bar next door which was also a part of the hotel and a place we frequented during our stay. The bar had tight security too and this kept nuisance to the minimum. Thus all in all I would say that the Spring Valley was an ideal chill out place for weekend trips with friends/families and we highly recommend the same to fellow travellers along with the responsible services of Antilog Vacations team.

Sanjay Bhargava - Antilog Vacations Fiji Review AVB0096298

I visited the Fiji Islands last spring with my wife. Holiday leaves were at a premium as we both were working but we managed to get through our approvals and decided to pack our bags and enjoy a trip to the isles.

We stayed at the Koro Sun Hotel, a place which became famous after being featured on a popular primetime reality series, The Bachelorette. Our reside at the Koro was superb, well managed by Antilog Vacations team. From the exterior the hotel looked very elegant with parquet flooring, crafted walls and sculptures. The main essence of a resort – the maintenance staff and the crew were very efficient. The reception area had decorated walls and clean floors.

The rooms were around 40 sq mt in area and were quite spacious and airy. Their bed sheets and towels had a nice and pleasant smell. The staff looked interested on more than one occasion but I felt that they were more eager as the resort lacks a proper manager. Most of the times they worked on our advice and instructions.

The food was quite tasty throughout our stay. For all the 4 days the menu comprised of the various sea food stuff with multiple variance. There were soups and desserts in the buffet. The resort re-worked on their menu and increased the option of dishes on offer frequently to increase the footfall and guest engagement.
Hence all in all I would recommend the resort and rate it very highly. However this resort is worth a visit only in case you are planning to visit a few nearby places in and around the multicultural Savusavu area (called the Hidden Paradise) and going to stay for 1-2 days. The fact that most of the popular tourist attractions are located nearby would be beneficial for you in that case. All in all, it was a great effort and a part of well managed services by Antilog Vacations.