# Aamby Valley Review: Spanish Cottages, the Lake & an Honest Verdict

By Prashant & Sunaina · 3 June 2026 · https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/aamby-valley-review

> Our monsoon-season weekend at Aamby Valley near Lonavala: the drive from Pune, check-in, the Spanish Cottages, the lake, chai tapri, swings, fishing and kids' activities, plus an honest review of service and food.

Something different from our international series: a **long-weekend staycation** near Pune. We'd always wanted to try Aamby Valley but never got a booking, and usually ended up at Fariyas or Fazlani. This time we finally made it.

Watch the vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rpF9RJUHOM

## Why here?
Near Pune you've got Lonavala, Alibaug, Mahabaleshwar, Igatpuri and Mulshi. Most are 4–5 hours away, and it was hot, so we picked the nearest: **Lonavala**, about **an hour from Pune**.

## Getting there
From Lonavala it's another **~41 minutes** up a steep **ghat road** (the same road as Tiger Point), past the **Aamby Valley agro farm** and the **airstrip**.

**Lunch stop:** *Bindaas* at Hotel Orchid (all-day South Indian) was shut, apparently over a gas shortage, so the restaurant inside served only dal fry and jeera rice. It was okay.

## Check-in
At the main gate they verify your booking and ID. The **welcome lounge** is about 400 m inside. The property is huge: the Spanish Cottages were a **9-minute drive** from reception. You park, and a **buggy** takes you to the cottages, since **cars aren't allowed inside**.

## The Spanish Cottages
- Room 414: a big bed, a **forest view at the back**, a TV, a small fridge, and a shower (no bathtub).
- Peaceful, right in the middle of the forest. The downside is that **parking is far**. You can call a buggy.
- **In-room dining** is available, which helped since the restaurants are 10 minutes away.

## Things to do
Most activities **close by 6 pm**.
- **The lake**, plus a **chai tapri** for chai, vada pav, samosa and bhajiya.
- **Maroosh**, a Lebanese and Middle Eastern restaurant, and the Woodpecker restaurant.
- The famous **giant swings** with a great view.
- **Boat rides.** They're not exactly a cruise, but fine if you have time.
- A **lakefront café** and sit-and-chill spots on the far side, which has the better view.
- **Aamby Bazaar**, a small grocery and utility store, in case you forgot swimwear or need snacks.
- A **fish theme park**: fishing at about ₹700 per rod, and other activities from ₹500. Mostly for kids.
- The **Sky Max lounge** was closed when we went.

It's beautiful at night, and **much colder** than Lonavala. We were actually chilly.

## Honest verdict
**Pros:** set in nature, very beautiful, serene and calm. Great after a hectic week.

**Cons:**
- **Not well maintained**, and **service wasn't five-star**. We had no hand towels, called two or three times, and never got them before checkout.
- **Food is expensive and not that great.**

**Our tip:** come with a **group**, ideally in the **monsoon**, and stay **at least two days**, never just one.

Next we went to [Della Resorts](https://www.psvlogs.in/blog/della-resorts-lonavala-review).

## FAQs

**How far is Aamby Valley from Pune?**
Lonavala is about an hour from Pune, and Aamby Valley is another 40 minutes or so up a steep ghat road.

**Is Aamby Valley worth it?**
For nature and calm, yes. It's beautiful and much cooler than Lonavala. But service and maintenance weren't five-star, and the food was expensive for the taste. Go for two days, ideally in the monsoon, and ideally with a group.