Help with 10 days in Pune just after NewYears
 

My husband and I are going to Pune at the beginning of Jan.(the 2nd actually ... ya I know ... bad time .. everything busy !! ) for 10 days. Our 2 children ( 6 and 8) will be with us as well as my parents. My husband has a conference there so will be busy during the day but the rest of us would like to be in a place that is somewhat "resortish" (?) and yet not be too far away ( like still in the city ) so that my husband can join us in the evening for "fun"!! There only seems to be 2 or 3 large hotels that keep showing up on the net in EVERY travel website.... and they want an arm and a leg for one double room :-( . I'm hoping someone that knows the hotel/resort situation there can clue me in to some place that would be fun ( pool, kids playground, gym .. etc ). Any ideas ?? I need HELP!!!

Hi, I'm from Pune and I though I hate giving a negative answer i have to say that your question is a tough one.
There are a few water parks but i would not recommend them. As you correctly said there are only 3 major hotels and they cater more to business visitors than families with children. Most local families travel to Panchgani/mahabaleshwar (2 1/2 hours drive from Pune) for an outing with children. Lonavala (an hour's drive)has some resortish hotels. The local Clubs(The Poona Club/Corinthian Club) may provide the answer if you can get a member or your husband's company to book you in.

Pune is a booming business city and even the most average hotels are getting high prices, as you are finding. Lonavala mentioned above, is on the road back toward Mumbai, and has some spectacular valley views. I have a book at home (I am currently in India myself right now) which may have some hotel reccos for this area, and I will re-post. Pune is actually a very nice city and the weather is almost always great, and will be very good in Jan. My book may have reccos for closer in areas to Pune as well.

Although you would of course like to see your husband each night, you might consider taking the rest of the family to a place like Goa or Kerala for part of your time there, where you will actually find beach resorts and he could join you for a long weekend and then perhaps a holiday at the end.

Thank you for your replies. We have been considering a short side trip to one of "the beaches" and are contemplating just how to work that around the conference. While we are in Pune though, someone has suggested the "SEASON'S Service Apartments". Apparently they are close to many things with pool, gym and some other emenities. Any info on this particular facitity would be very much appreciated. Not too comfortable jumping into "unknowns" with kidlets and parents in tow !!! Thanks heaps.

There are two Seasons Apts. Both different ends of the city. Tell me the address and I'll tell you whether its convenient.There are one day outings you could do,which might interest both your kids and parents like visiting a village style restaurant which has fun things for kids to do as well as culture stuff which may interest your parents. As Cicerone said the weather is nice at this time but be prepared for bad roads and chaotic traffic.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. The address is ...Hotel Seasons Services Apartment, Trinity Court, Off South Main Road, Keregaon Park, Pune. Is this place all that it sounds like in the web sites? Like ... really great !! I'm a little sceptical(been disappointed in India on previous trips with mis-representations:-( !! )

The Village Style restaurant sounds fabulous. Any other "kidlet" suggestions would be great. My parents are happy when the kidlets are happy :-) !!!

PS , forgot to ask.... dah !!! This "village style restaurant"... does it (or they) have a name. Not sure what I would be looking for ?

Seasons, Koregaon Park is an excellent location. Haven't seen it from inside but supposed to be very good. Close to everything shops, good restaurants etc.
The place I mentioned is Sanskriti abt 30to 40 mins drive from where you will be staying. However it is vegetarian and weekends tend to get very crowded unless you go early evening. There are some places on the outskirts where you can go boating (Bhugaon lake, Panshet dam). The Osho Nullah Park is walking distance from where you will be staying and worth a visit. There is an organisation that conducts heritage/historical walks/ drives in the city. Jui, the girl who conducts them is an architect and very well informed. She has special programmes for children . You can contact her on [email protected]

Thanks ShubhaG ...This has been a big help.