Arvind Kamath Blog on Travel and Leisure

I did not get an opportunity to stay at Acres Wild while on my visit to Coonoor in April 2011 but I did make it a point to meet Manzoor Khan, the man behind Acres Wild. One thing I liked most about Manzoor, is his accessibility be it on e-mail or phone call. On reaching Coonoor I called him up at around 10am and he was more than happy to meet me and my family to show us around his vast property that includes a cheese making unit. We met him at around 10:30am while he was already in the midst of introducing the geese near a small lake, to some school children from nearby Coimbatore who had come for a tour of Acres Wild property. Unfortunately his better half Tina was missing in action that day but he did admit that she was the brain behind the cheese making unit at Acres Wild. He met me as if we had known each other for ages. We had only interacted over e-mail and phone calls in the past. The children were scrambling around to get his autograph, for his earlier successful role as a lead...

"The Bungalow" at Ooty managed by Tranquilitea is truly a home away from home. I had booked the entire Bungalow located in the heart of Ooty near the Race Course for 3 days. The occasion - my parents wedding anniversary and my son's freedom from Board exams. The caretaker Amudha and her family took enough care to make our stay very memorable and what I liked is their prompt service and never say no attitude. The best thing about the package was the FOOD and being a foodie this comes top on my priority list. Amudha charged us ONLY for the ingredients that were used to cook our meals. You can't believe it,but yes its true. The cost used to be a measly 200 or 300 bucks for a great meal dished out to a family of 5 foodies !!!! Its always said that our appetite increases while we are at a hill-station and if the food is great, what a combination for a hearty meal be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian.... The Bungalow has 3 large bedrooms with attached bathrooms; a dining room...