Lavasa, independent India’s first hill station, is roughly 70 KM away from Pune. Nestled in the Sahyadri hills, it is tucked away in a valley, away from the hustle bustle of the big city.

I had always wanted to visit Lavasa during the rains. The 2-3 hour drive is the perfect enjoyable distance for a road trip without being too taxing. A weekend was chosen, the Mercure Lavasa hotel was booked and we made our way to Lavasa one fine morning.

Most of the road to Lavasa is winding and hilly, dotted with rice fields and verdant mountains. Tiny streams and rivulets gurgled down the mountain slopes every few miles. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and take photos. Just stay away from the prohibited areas.

The Mercure Lavasa offered a warm welcome after the drive. There were a lot of people checking in but a cold welcome drink made the wait easier. Part of the Accor Hotels group, it has 130 rooms spread across four floors. Our room was nonsmoking as requested.

The room was good sized with all the amenities you expect from a mid range hotel. A basket of fruit and chocolate dessert put a smile on my face. There was a tea/ coffee maker and well stocked mini bar, big flat screen TV and a bathrobe with slippers. I was all set to lean back in the arm chair and put my feet up on the ottoman.

The best thing about the room was of course the balcony. Although not large enough to hold chairs, it was perfect for standing and staring at the mountains that surrounded the hotel. That’s what I did for most of my stay – stared at the mist covered mountains from the balcony.

The bathroom was well stocked with plenty of lotions and soaps and anything you would need really. There’s no need to call reception for an extra toothbrush, or that comb you forgot to pack. They have already taken care of that.

The Mercure Lavasa had a big room service menu, and a midnight menu too. There were several options for both vegetarian and non vegetarian food, Indian as well as non Indian.

The hotel has a restaurant, Celebrations, that offers all meals. A breakfast buffet is included and lunch and dinner are also served here. We ended up taking all our meals at this restaurant. The food is excellent, and you can read all about it in my next post about the Mercure Lavasa.

Overall, I was impressed by the attention to detail that was evident in every little thing at Mercure Lavasa. The staff was friendly and courteous and gave new meaning to the concept of service with a smile. Clean, affordable, modern and up to date, the service definitely sets them apart.

Just a day at this hill city was rejuvenating and made me feel like a new person. You may have visited Lavasa several times, but do visit during the monsoon if you get a chance. The vibe during the rains is totally different and you can commune with nature minus the crowds.

Click Next to read about all the yummy food I tasted at Celebrations, Mercure Lavasa.

Note – I was a guest of the hotel. All the views expressed here are my own.