We recently stayed at Hostie Romarica-Cottage and found the location beautiful and peaceful. Nestled amidst lush green pines, the property offers a peaceful and serene environment that’s perfect for a relaxing getaway. The property offers barbecue equipment, which is a nice touch, but guests need to arrange their raw materials. The local caretaker, Raghuveer, deserves a special mention—he is humble, attentive, and always ready to help with guests’ needs. A few additional notes for future guests: basic toiletries such as toothpaste and toothbrushes are not provided, so it’s best to bring your own. A body shower is available, and there is a top-load washing machine on site. However, you will need to bring your detergent, so a heads-up from the hosts on this would be appreciated.

The rooms and bathrooms are decent and comfortable, though I feel that the cleaning could be improved for an even better guest experience. One area that stood out as a concern was the meal arrangement: the property charges ₹1,500 per person for each meal, with a rather basic menu. In comparison, many Airbnb properties allow guests to bring their own ingredients and have a local caretaker cook for a nominal fee. We were fortunate to discover a nearby restaurant, "Whispering Oaks," where even with generous orders for our group of six, each meal cost us less than ₹1,800 in total. I would recommend the hosts consider a more flexible meal arrangement, as the current setup can be inconvenient, especially given the premium pricing. Hostie team’s communication could be improved. After making the initial 50% payment, I did not receive any follow-up calls to check on our requirements. I had to reach out myself after a group was created post-payment. Timelier and more proactive communication would certainly enhance the overall experience.