Shalako Service Villa

Anil Nambiaruveetil

a week ago on Google

We recently spent a couple of days at Shalako Resorts in Vagamon for a family getaway, and while the stay had its high points, there were areas that could use some improvement. What We Loved The views from the cottage were absolutely stunning—exactly what we were hoping for when we decided on Vagamon. The food, prepared by the caretaker Mr. Selvam, was simple yet delicious, and his hospitality really stood out. He was friendly, accommodating, and honest to a fault. For instance, my brother forgot his watch after we checked out, and Mr. Selvam went out of his way to return it to us at a nearby AVT outlet. It’s rare to come across someone so genuinely helpful these days. Another highlight for us was the presence of a few stray dogs around the property. As a family of dog lovers, we thoroughly enjoyed interacting with them. They were friendly and added a lovely, homely vibe to the place. Room for Improvement That said, there were several aspects that could be better. The resort has three rooms on different levels: The ground floor and top floor rooms fell short of expectations in terms of cleanliness and upkeep. The middle floor was better but still had noticeable issues, like water seeping through the bathroom floor. Wet spots are clearly visible on the edge of the balcony ledge from the water seeping through the floor. The layout of the property also left something to be desired. The stairs connecting the floors were steep and not ideal for children or elderly family members, which made moving between levels a bit of a challenge. Another point worth mentioning is the hygiene. While the food was good, the cleanliness of the kitchen could be improved. The store room on the top floor, adjacent to the bedroom, was a definite downside—seeing cockroaches running around isn’t something you’d expect or want on a vacation. Lastly, while we enjoyed the presence of the dogs, the kennel’s location right in front of the kitchen door wasn’t ideal. It felt unhygienic and poorly thought out. A Note on the Owner I noticed some other reviews mentioned issues with the owner’s attitude, but we didn’t experience that. While we didn’t meet him in person, our interactions over phone and WhatsApp were pleasant. He even provided detailed directions to the property, which were very helpful, and graciously allowed us to use the kitchen to cater to our child with special needs. Final Thoughts Overall, Shalako Resorts has a lot of potential. The views are fantastic, and the caretaker, Mr. Selvam, truly elevates the experience with his warm and honest demeanor. However, the property does need better maintenance and attention to hygiene and layout to fully meet expectations. If you’re someone who prioritizes scenic beauty and good hospitality over luxury or perfect infrastructure, you’ll probably enjoy your stay here. But families with kids or elderly members might find the steep stairs and cleanliness concerns a bit off-putting. Pros: Stunning views Great food Exceptional caretaker (Selvam) Cons: Rooms need maintenance Steep stairs unsuitable for kids and elderly Hygiene issues in the kitchen and store room Poorly placed kennel It was a mixed bag overall, but the positives—especially the views and Selvam’s hospitality—did leave us with fond memories. We had a good family getaway. Hope to revisit the place some time again in the future after the necessary upgrades are done!!!

Mithun Yadav

a week ago on Google

After my marriage we took a trip to Kerala with my parents. Went to Munnar / Vagamon and Alleppey. Munnar hotel was nice but it being the last week of Dec was full. There were more than 20 rooms , very crowded. The pool was full at all times. As my wife was not comfortable with the large number of people in the pool so we did not get in. In Vagamon we stayed at Shalako a private villa. The first thing that impressed me was that all the staff were fluent in Hindi so no issues there. The rooms were neat and clean and the food delicious. My Dad is used to his morning tea at around 5 am and was a little irritated that the Kitchen was closed , but Selvam was up before 7 am so he was ok . The view from the rooms were amazing. For the first time in my life my father who is 60 played cricket with me and that too under lights, that is something I will treasure throughout my life.The pool was fun but the water was very cold. There is a temple on the hill so my parents were happy. Noticed some horses which I came to know were kept by the owner for his personal use so no horse riding, that wud have been fun. Overall great experience. We are back in Indore and I look back on my Kerala trip with fond memories.

Susan John

2 months ago on Google

We had an amazing time as a family. The rooms were large and well decorated, but most of all the view was stunning. We must have spent several hours just looking out at the hills that surrounded us. The staff was also extremely helpful and were available to tend to any needs we had. I would definitely recommend Shalako if you are looking for a once in a lifetime getaway.

Alex Joseph

2 months ago on Google

Had a great time at Shalako. Great food, amazing service and mind blowing location on the hillside. We also got to see Rocky and Rowdy ( the horses) in action which was a delight! Would definitely recommend ??

Sruthi Elezebath James

5 months ago on Google

An extremely overrated place. I must say that the view at the place was eye-catching but the facilities provided was not as expected. Terrible beds and curtains with fungus. Washrooms with broken taps and there was no water coming through the shower. TV was available with NO channels. Moreove the road to the location is in a bad condition that our car base got damaged . I stayed with my 6 month old baby and was extremely disappointed with the hygiene at this place. Hence would not recommend it for families.