I joined Club Mahindra during 2017 and took red type membership.
What made me to join Club Mahindra?
I am happy with their resort locations and the decent rooms they were providing. I love nature and their locations matched my interest.
The price of the red membership was high, still I opted for it as it is a one-time investment.
When I calculated the bank interest for the amount I paid, it was more. The sales people justified it with the inflation, and I was convinced.
They had facilities for kids in every resort, so that kids don't get bored during holidays.
Most of their resorts have swimming pool, both adults and kids can enjoy, I was happy with this option too.
When I found their food costs are too high, they convinced me saying, 25% discount on all food items. We can use the kitchen facility provided in the room and cook ourselves if interested. The second option looked interesting and economical. Most of us don't eat much and will be on diet food and a kitchen in every room convinced me totally.
SPA facilities. They said the prices are not too high for members and we get good discount for members and it is affordable.
Interest free EMIs and other small offers.
MY FIRST HOLIDAY AT CLUB MAHINDRA AND WHAT I FOUND
My first holiday was at Virajpet, Coorg which is in Karnataka. The location of the resort is good and as per my expectations. Very big reception area, well maintained, disciplined staff. My first expectation in the "What made me to join Club Mahindra" list was met.
ROOMS
The room looks good with basic facilities but not luxurious when compared to star hotels. They do provide, tea bags, instant coffee powder sachets and sugar. There is no iron box, you are forced to use the laundry option, again money making tactics. There is a Floor Cloth Dryer Stand present in the balcony area. TV, AC, Sofa cum bed, landline phones to reach reception are provided. The room and the bathrooms are cleaned every day. The rooms have large windows and you can enjoy the nature outside. No Wi-Fi facility. Most of the resorts don't have the 1BR or 2BR options, but they insist you to upgrade to get their commissions.
FOOD
The food prices are exorbitant and my very basic expectation itself were proved wrong.
All meal plan per person is INR 2348 with tax for adults and for kids it is 1295 as on Feb 2018. For a family of two adults and two kids it is INR 7, 286/- per day. If you are taking a guest, then the prices goes still high.
Only on “A la carte” you get 25% discount, but those prices are also on the higher side. The meal plan for 7 days comes to INR 51, 000. On top of this, the annual maintenance for Red type is INR 14, 711(Year 2017). Yearly average expense for food and ASF is INR Sixty Six thousand for 7 days, on an average it costs you INR 9500/- per day. This excludes your travel cost and other activities at resort.
KITCHEN
It's a name sake kitchen. The main intention is to push you out to the restaurant but at the same time they want to show they are providing one for you, which is a sales pitch while selling the membership. Kitchen consists of a small micro oven, you can't find smaller than that in the market, good quality white ceramic plates, spoons, forks, a two and half inch knife, cutting table and tumblers. No chimney, no stove(induction, electric or gas), no mixer grinder. You are not allowed to carry any. You need to manage with whatever they have provided. My expectation of managing my holidays economically were buried deep and you need to shell out several thousand for food.
BATHROOM
You will be provided towels every day. The bedspread will be changed on alternative days. Body wash solution is provided along with moisturizer. Hair dryer is present. Bathroom Tissue Roll present.
FACILITIES AT THE RESORT
There are few complimentary facilities and games compared to the paid ones. The free games are Carom, Chess, Foosball, and TT in the Fun Zone area. Outside you can find swimming pool, badminton court, basketball and small play area for kids. At every foot step of yours they try to make money. A fish spa near swimming pool is INR 420 for twenty minutes. Billiards half an hour INR 150+ taxes. The list goes on. Even in expensive Bangalore City Malls the prices for games are less compared to Mahindra resort. They offer you one free family photo remaining photos are charged from INR 3500, a good sales pitch. I can take better pictures with my DSLR than they took. You will find many sales related activities like this in the resort.
SHOPPING
You can do premium shopping over here.
SPA and GYM
I didn't visit gym as I didn't carry my sports shoes don't know what they were trying to sell extras at that place. Next time I can talk more about that.
SPA didn't offer any discount for club members, they said it is a franchise and the cost is same for all. My 7th expectation and what they promised was not met. Again, the prices were on the north side.
NON-MEMBERS
Non-members can book the Mahindra resorts through various online websites. The range starts from 3k and they get a complimentary breakfast. The member pays 2k as Annual maintenance per day, which is 50% of the cost per room and don't get any.
PERSONAL DETAILS COMPROMISED
When I was at the Virajpet resort I got a call from a person Rakesh introducing himself as a Relationship Manager and wanted to take my feedback on the resort facilities. Even though I was with my family I obliged to meet him. Once I went there I came to know he is not a relationship manager, he is a hotel staff. He asked me what type of membership I am holding, and why can't I upgrade to 1BR. I asked him how many 1BR resorts are there in Club Mahindra? He gave a sheepish smile. I told him not to waste my time and mind his business. How did he get my mobile number?
After I returned from resort, I received a mail for my feedback, and I took my time and submitted. I got a call from the lowest level employee. I don't want to disclose his role or name, he was saying half of his salary will be cut and was begging me to do something, I was really upset, my intention is not to hurt anyone, I am ready to pay for his loss, he was a nice chap. My personal and family details are openly available to all level of Club Mahindra employees. This data breach is a confirmed incident in which sensitive, confidential or otherwise protected data has been accessed and/or disclosed in an unauthorized fashion. How about a legal action against Club Mahindra?
WHO NEEDS TO TAKE CLUB MAHINDRA MEMBERSHIP?
Life is full of ups and downs, and one can't expect the financial situation be the same for the next 25 years and hence we opt for the membership to beat the prices and inflation.
What is the meaning of a club mean? I am a member of cosmopolitan club in Bangalore city and know how a club operates. What do you get as a club member in Mahindra is little, and most of the activities are overpriced. The "Club Mahindra" should be renamed as "Mahindra Resorts Pvt Ltd". It is not at all a club, name is misleading.
Those who think that their economical situation will remain the same for the next 25 years and can spend luxuriously for holidays each time they go out can opt for this. Again, a question arises, when you are economically affordable to spend luxuriously then why do you need to go for membership, you can always choose and pick the resorts of your choice. Then for whom this membership is? Still trying to figure it out.
