The review is a bit long, so please bear with me!

The purpose of our visit was to have a break from our busy life and hence we went through the various options available for two days stay in and around Mumbai. We have been to Lonavala quite a few number of times; hence we had no interest in the surroundings and just wanted a place to chill out while staying inside the hotel.

Prior to this trip of ours, we had stayed in a suite in Hotel Fariyas in Lonavala for one week in Dec 2009. The reason we keep coming back to Lonavala is due to its proximity and the excellent weather which remains throughout the year.

We homed on to Hotel Citrus based on our research, inputs from Travel desk from my wife’s office, the hotel website and the desire to see a new place.

Before we booked, we went through almost all the reviews of the property on almost all possible websites and very much knew the shortfalls – two single bed joined to make a double bed, hotel is right in the centre of a residential area, hence no view whatsoever, business oriented hotel, etc, etc.

As we drove from Mumbai to Lonavala, I trusted my MapmyIndia to lead me through the narrow lanes of Lonavala to this hotel. Alas! For one full hour we sweeped through the length and breadth of the town, just because the GPS showed the hotel in some other place! It really got me very irritated and we thereafter called up the hotel to guide us. The lady at the reception was extremely prompt and courteous and she stayed on the phone for good about 10 minutes till we reached the hotel, guiding us at every turn. Anyways, we reached, checked in and got our room.

I was extremely irritated and was in a bad mood due to extra hour spent on road and hence, as we reached the room – well we found the room slightly small and not very much upto our satisfaction level (later we did realise that it was because we were actaully comparing it with some place we visited earlier!). And to top it all, we did find some stains on the toilet seat. Not a great start to our trip! However, this was also the turning point of our thinking or our impression about the hotel.

Our observation in the toilet was cleared within minutes. And also, to be very frank, after some time we did find the room quite warm and comfortable. Every possible equipment and fittings worked as they should have. We liked the all-in-one wired remote for all electrical fittings in the room. We had all our meals there in the hotel, used both the room service and in-restaurant dining options and also used the wi-fi internet option. Breakfast on both days was buffet. After a very comfortable and well cherished stay, we checked out on 07 Feb 12. Some general observations are:-

(a) The hotel staff is extremely courteous. I would like to stress on the word ‘extremely’ again. This was the best staff interaction I have ever had in any of the places we have ever stayed, including the one I have mentioned earlier. No matter who, what, where, he will wish you everytime you cross them. They were also found to be going out of their way to ensure completion of jobs. We just loved it!

(b) During the stay, we wrote some reviews as and when the hotel staff produced the forms in front of us. We mostly had good things to say, however, we did write one observation regarding not liking the taste of the tea, and within five minutes we had someone coming from the catering staff requesting us exactly what we didn’t like about the tea and soon thereafter, we were served freshly made tea, as per our liking, without any extra charge. We liked the promptness.

(c) The hotel doesn’t have much to offer as far as outside activities are concerned. But, we never wanted any, as our definition of holidays meant having a relaxed time, mostly indoors. So we didn’t miss any such activity. However, we did use some of the board games provided in the dining area.

(d) The restaurant is good. Food quality was good, though slightly oily. Servings are big, easily shareable between two person. Service is prompt, even the in-room service. We liked the ambience of the restaurant. Its kind of garden type, with greenery all around, good and comfortable chairs. Breakfast was good. Not a lavish spread of items, but quite sufficient for a hearty breakfast. Liked their pizzas and indian preparations.

(e) Room was a bit small, we stayed in delux room, but comfortable for two. The linen quality on the bed was great, just that everything on the bed was single, which were joined to make them double. However, not much of an irritant for us. Overall, good sleep quality.

(f) I used the wi-fi, which to my surprise, was provided free. I used it for 2 hours, so I am not very sure what are the charges for longer usage. Connection speed was decent.

(g) We were there on weekdays, so not much of crowd in the hotel. We liked the general peace inside the property.

(h) The room had everything which should be there, airconditioning, sufficeint lighting, fridge, LCD TV (22 inch i guess) with almost all basic channels, basic toiletries, etc. So no complain whatsoever on this front as well.

Overall, extremely satisfied with the trip. Would like to go again and would recommend this to my friends and relatives as well.