Orange County Resort-Kabini Reviews, Kabini

Orange County resort is located on the banks of Kabini Reservoir, about 220 kms from bangalore (roughly about 6-7hrs drive). The last 15 kms of the drive make you nervous if you are really headed to the right 'resort' having paid a ton of money for this vacation. The moment you enter the resort, the warmth of the greeting by the hotel staff alleviates all your fear. With a typical Indian hospitality, you will be greeted with Sindhoor on the forehead and local musical instruments accompanying the welcome gesture. The staff understood the fact that it was pretty late for lunch and hence directly took us to the main restaurant even before we could be checked-in. Warm facial towels and a cool sugarcane juice were preceded by the lunch. Again at the restaurant, very warm greeting of hand-folded 'namashkara' were always accompanied by non-plastic smiles. The staff were quite helpful and courteous. We were accompanied to our cottage, and wow, this was a really cool place! All cottages were quite far away from others, which was completely private and this is part I liked the most. Jacuzzi, while are private and enclosed for all the rooms, our sit-out or verandah was also private for our room. The staff explained all the amenities inside the 'room', which has a living room, sit-out with very comfortable sun-bathing chairs, enclosed but spacious Jacuzzi right next to the bathroom, a huge bedroom with sufficient cupboards and a nice well-kept bathroom. The interiors of the room will definitely get anyone's attention almost instantaneously. Great pain has been taken to ensure the feel of all the furniture is similar to have a common 'theme' within the cottage. The light fixtures, hangers, cupboards and side-tables to name a few while unique in their respective designs, are common in providing a rustic but elegant atmosphere. The exterior walls are truly painted in a typical mud colour and have thatched roofs. Despite all its simplistic looks, the huts have all modern amenities inside including a refrigerator, water purifier, French-press coffee maker, enclosed air conditioner & electronic safety vault. The king-sized bed makes you feel more comfortable and cozy, and can be very inviting particularly after a very long-drive and a heavy lunch. In terms of activities, there is a kids' pool with a slide in it and also have facilities for carrom, chess & TT. Ludo, snake and ladder and other games artistically done on top of wooden tables will be something young kids would love to play. Reading lounge with complimentary cappuccino close to the river Kabini is another activity that can be enjoyed in the evenings. Elephant Meenakshi is treat to the kids and will not mind carrying them for a ride near alongside the river. In the mornings, she is given bath and food, this is again an interaction kids will immensely enjoy. Jeep & boat safaris are available for the wild life enthusiasts or nature photographers both in mornings and in the afternoons. Sightings are likely to be better in the boat in the afternoons, since wild animals will come to drink water, it seems. Boat safari is about 2.5 hours, while the Jeep safari takes almost 4 hours. There is a tribal village visit that you can go on bicycle. Alternate days in the evenings, either there is a tribal dance or wild-life movie is played in the lounge. Watching sunset while sipping coffee or having the evening snacks is one of the most precious moments in Orange County, Kabini. The sun turns pinkish-orange and the entire sky turns into a riot of colours when there are no clouds. Avid photographers can keeping clicking pictures and still feel few moments were left out. Dinners can be arranged in the barbeque restaurant as well but requires reservation and prior notice. Hotel staff were courteous enough to accommodate us, when we were merely enquiring about it. Later when we had to leave a little early, since one of us were a little sick (not due to the food), multiple staff immediately called us at the room and enquired about the food. Typical of Orange County, is the tranquility of the location and the service provided by them. The location was so calm that almost every time you took a stroll within the campus, you hear different kinds of birds chirp and nothing else. The earthen-lantern lit pathways makes you wonder, if you are really inside a village or a resort. Most of the staff were not just trying to provide what was asked for but were eagerly observing to determine what we might be looking for. That's a big differentiator. However, there were still some holes. The table covers could have been much more clean, and staff manning the tables in the restaurant although were being very courteous should be more watchful of the guest needs. Food was definitely better than average but oil can be reduced significantly. Hammocks around the huts would be a great value addition. Overall, a great place to relax and enjoy. Nagarhole National Park in the vicinity is big bonus. Definitely, like its other resort in Coorg, the package is a tad bit pricier. Given the service provided and luxury of rooms, one would not mind too much. I would definitely recommend to my friends, if asked for a recommendation.