SaffronStays Suvarna Sangam riverfront villa with boat rides, candlelight dinners & backwater views in Udupi

Above everything, the first mention has to be the absolutely adorable staff. They were attentive, ever-present & utterly accommodating. That definitely served as a brownie point to the stunner stay that Saffron Stays was. Special thanks to Ravi for being so kind, Santhosh for all his help & Mangesh for every sumptuous meal he stirred up. Don’t miss his Prawn Rawa Fry & Chicken Sukka and if you are a vegetarian, request him for his Marathi specialties over the usual options. Now coming to the ‘Yellow House”, as we liked to call it, it is nestled right in the lap of nature. The greenery around is overwhelmingly soothing. We were lucky to be there during the rains to watch all the flowers in full bloom and the greens sparkle in the sun. The array of rare butterflies, exotic dragonflies & pretty moths that we witnessed were beyond surprising. There were peacocks & one could hear them, other birds & the crickets all round the clock. You get to stay right next to the backwaters where they have two decks that give you a pleasant view of the islands around & if you are lucky you can also watch the fishing boats. Pro tip: Definitely go on the therapeutic walks along the swaying palms while it’s still daylight & post 22:30 once the lights are out, stay back on the decks, to see the lights dancing on the water & the stars twinkling overhead. You can also request to have your meals on the deck. We were 3 girls & we don’t remember feeling relaxed the last time in years! All in all the location is a 💯. It is way more beautiful than words can define. And if you are looking for a place to loose yourself in nature & unwind to the T, this should be your pick.

While there was nothing that we didn’t like about the property, there are few pointers that one needs to keep in mind before booking. Mentioning these here owing to all the negative reviews I read on google which this place doesn’t deserve. 1. Considering the stay is on the tip of the backwaters, naturally it is towards the interiors. The roads are windy & narrow (they are not muddy or broken though, perfectly good pukka roads) so ensure you speak to the caretakers for instructions before starting out. Arrange for your commute through hiring a Scooty or a cab beforehand. 2. Avoid staying out late at night. Pack your dinner or best, eat awesome spreads at the stay. There are no food deliveries available. 3. If you are booking for older parents, ensure you book the ground floor rooms coz the stairs are spirally & might be a discomfort for the elderly. 4. This place is a soulful nature retreat. It ain’t a luxury stay, I repeat, it ain’t luxury, so do-not expect the same. If you are not a nature lover, can’t respect nature & need to call room service for every small need, this isn’t for you.

Peaceful, clean and very supportive staff

The absence of CCTV at the premises makes it a little unsafe as there is an open front to The backwaters. Moreover due to its remote location having better security becomes paramount

It located in coconut fields between two backwater canals. Staff is good and supportive, helped to make food for baby.

The description mentioned on site; like boat ride, Candlelight dinner and thumbnail photos are not matching the actual facility. User got miss guided about this specially in Monsoon. Also the Room facility need to be upgraded, linen, curtains and furniture. Roads are narrow if traveling in night should be taken care by guide or a photo map

Nothing

Ummm very high expectations because of the images but totally opposite