The Fern Ecotel (Lonavala, India) - To travel is to live!

I do not intend to start this post with a negative note, but the second wave of Covid-19 has hit us all hard. And it has reminded us yet again that life is indeed unpredictable and should not be taken for granted. All this while, I had been looking forward to that small break to somewhere near Mumbai, which could provide me the much-needed refreshing mood. Lonavala, one of the most popular holiday destinations for Mumbaikars, was the first place that came to mind as it was monsoon time.

This time, I got hosted by The Fern Ecotel in Lonavala. And I felt so thankful for the same. I had been battling anxiety issues (because of the covid-19 second wave) for the last few months, and my stay at The Fern and their brilliant hospitality put me at ease. The anxiety disorder did reverse for the traveler in me. Thanks to Lonavala's monsoon, hotel ambiance, hospitality, and food, I feel so much better now.

The USP of the hotel is its proximity to the Mumbai Pune expressway. People who are frequent visitors to Lonavala would know that it can take more than an hour to get to the expressway from Lonavala. So, it makes one of the reasons to book your stay at The Fern Ecotel.

Accommodation

Spread over about 2 acres of land, The Fern is an 80-room hotel offering delightful suites and contemporary rooms, divided into categories as below:

I had stayed in the fern club suite room, which happened to be the largest room in the hotel. And for a Mumbai resident, a spacious room is all one wishes for when going out of Mumbai. There are two balconies in the suite room so that you can enjoy the rain from the comfort of your room. A few minutes spent there rejuvenated me for the whole day.

The best thing was waking up to the sound of heavy and almost continual rain every day during my stay.

Amenities At The Fern Ecotel

The property has a big swimming pool connected to the lawn and banquet halls, making it apt for weddings. There is a fitness center and a spa. The spa and pool were not operational due to the pandemic.

The property also offers a small space for children's activities while the parents can enjoy playing indoor games like pool, carrom, etc.

Food at The Fern Ecotel

I cannot emphasize enough the yummylicious food served at the hotel. Mr. Srinivasa, the hotel's head chef, makes the trip a memorable one for the foodies. The delicious taste and the appealing presentation of the food make The Fern Ecotel a complete package for a staycation.

There are two dining venues at Span Suites and Villas.

Must try - veg club sandwich, spring rolls, paneer lababdar, gulab jamun, and tiramisu

The buffet gets served at the glass cafe. The buffet spread gets served with an elaborated variety.

The guests can also sit and chill at the roof, where decent seating arrangements are made.

Covid-19 Safety Measures

Safety, undoubtedly, is now going to be the primary parameter while choosing where to stay. Many of us have inhibitions running in our minds, which is justifiable. The Fern Ecotel made me fill the self-declaration form for covid-19.

I felt comfortable and shielded during my stay.

Conclusion

If your idea of a monsoon weekend near Mumbai is a quiet space, away from the tourist crowd, The Fern Ecotel would be a good choice. The hotel has all the elements one would expect from a short monsoon break without burning a hole in your pocket.

For more hotel information and booking options, please visit this link.

Please join my mailing list (at the bottom of the page), and stay tuned for more stories. You can follow @bulbulonthewing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to get regular updates.

Related readings:

Photo Gallery of The Fern Ecotel

** All opinions are based on a genuine stay, flight, or experience. I'm not affiliated with the hotel, airline, or tour operator, but I might be (partially) sponsored - or paid. **