Question 1

Is there separate accommodation for domestic help?

Accepted Answer

There is no separate accommodation available for domestic help. They will be charged as an extra guest.

Question 2

Is parking available onsite or nearby? Is it chargeable or free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, parking for up to 3 cars is available on the property itself.

Question 3

Is the villa suitable for a day picnic?

Accepted Answer

The home has an open deck area that could be used for outdoor picnic activities. There is also an available space to erect small stage, stall or tent for your event purpose.Guests will be allowed to use the washrooms at the villa. Meals will be provided on site at an additional charge (per person, per meal). Please note there is a maximum capacity of 6 people, in case of an overnight stay.

Question 4

Can I reserve your place for special functions such as engagement ceremony, a small wedding ceremony or a birthday party, etc?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do allow events/shoots at the villa, subject to Home Owner's approval. Meals can be arranged at an additional cost (per person, per day). Please note that a maximum of 6 people can be accommodated in the villa for an overnight stay. Depending on the event and its requirements, a refundable deposit will be applied. Any licenses /permissions required for for the event will need to be taken by the guests themselves. If you wish to book our home for functions/shoots, please send a message to the host on our website or send us an email at book@saffronstays.com

Question 5

Can I reserve your Home for a few weeks for a Film or a Photo or an Advertisement shoot?

Accepted Answer

No, we don't allow the home to be reserved for professional shoots.

Question 6

Can I book only one or two rooms, or do I need to book the entire Home?

Accepted Answer

No, you have to book both the rooms.

Question 7

What is the type of cuisine served?

Accepted Answer

Delicious Maharashtrian cuisine will be served by the chef/caretaker.

Question 8

Is outside food allowed? Are we allowed to cook ourselves?

Accepted Answer

Guests are not allowed to access the kitchen. Mothers of small children and infants will have limited access to the kitchen to boil milk or prepare food. Outside meals are not allowed in the villa.

Question 9

Do you allow us to stock things in your fridge?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use the common fridge to store food/beverages. In case there are other guests on site, please adjust and use the common fridge accordingly.

Question 10

Can I pay the caretaker some extra money and request the Cook to prepare fish or mutton dishes for us?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In case you would like the caretaker to cook a special dish, you can pay him for the actuals and cooking, cleaning fee on site, in cash. Please note that this will be subject to availability of ingredients.

Question 11

Is there an adequate drinking water supply? Do we need to carry our own Mineral Water bottles or are these readily available at your villa?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there is a steady water supply.

Question 12

Is Alcohol allowed? Are there any corkage charges?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we allow alcohol consumption, within limits.

Question 13

If it is a self-catering villa, would you be able to arrange for a cook? What kind of cooking facilities are available?

Accepted Answer

This is not a self-catering villa.

Question 14

Are meals provided onsite? What are the charges?

Accepted Answer

Home-cooked meals can be availed at an additional cost. The meal charges are payable in cash to the caretaker at the site. Please inform in advance about your meal preferences, to allow our caretaker to procure the same. Tea/Coffee will be served during breakfast and evening tea time. If you would like tea/coffee at any other time of the day, it can be arranged at an additional charge.

Question 15

Do you allow loud music?

Accepted Answer

Playing loud music is permitted during the day and early evening. At night, guests are requested to respect our neighbors and keep the noise levels mild and within the villa.

Question 16

Is smoking / alcohol consumption permitted?

Accepted Answer

Yes, smoking is allowed but strictly not inside the home. If you wish to smoke, please do so outside in the garden/lawn area. Alcohol consumption is permitted within limits. We do not encourage late night revelry or loud music.

Question 17

What are the Check-in & Check-out timings? May I request for late check-outs or an early check-in?

Accepted Answer

Check-in time at 1 pm and check-out time is 10 am. Please note that check-out timings are strict as we need to ready the rooms for our next booking. Guests are requested to respect the timing of other guests as well. In case you wish to check in a little early or check out a little late, do inform us at the time of booking. Additional charges will be applied. Late check-out charges includes meals (lunch).

Question 18

What formalities are needed during check-in and check-out?

Accepted Answer

As required by law, all adults have to provide their government-approved Photo IDs (that clearly show their residential address) at the time of Check-in. Your co-operation is of utmost importance to us.

Question 19

Are we allowed to access all areas?

Accepted Answer

No. Guests will only be able to access common areas on the property such as the living room, garden, private pool (if any), etc. 

Guests are strictly prohibited from crossing into neighboring properties under any circumstances. We request our guests to respect the privacy and personal space of our neighbors.

Question 20

Weâ€™re planning to drive down. Are the roads good? Any specific things we need to know?

Accepted Answer

Since our home is built on a hilly region in Harnai, guests are advised to check road and weather conditions before they head out. The home is a 5-hour drive from Mumbai and 4 1/2 hour drive from Pune.

Question 21

How do we reach your villa by public transport?

Accepted Answer

By train, Khed (on the Konkan Railway) is the closest station. From Khed Station, Dapoli is about 41km and can be reached via private transport (jeeps) or via state transport - ST buses. Additionally, there are state transport (ST) buses / private buses available from Mumbai to Dapoli.

Question 22

Who manages the villa?

Accepted Answer

There is a caretaker onsite.

Question 23

Are stag groups allowed to book this home?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not allow stag groups to book this home.

Question 24

What is the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

A guest is entitled to a refund of 50% if he/she cancels the confirmed booking 15 days or more before the start of the reservation.  If the Guest cancels less than 15 days before start of the reservation, he/she is entitled to no refund. Guest Fees paid/ payable to SaffronStays are non-refundable.   A reservation is considered officially 'canceled' ONLY when the guest clicks the cancellation button on the cancellation confirmation page, which they can find under Dashboard > Your Trips > Cancel on our website.  If there is a complaint from either party, notice must be given to SaffronStays within 24 hours of check-in. SaffronStays will mediate when necessary and Guest and Host are required to extend their full co-operation. SaffronStays has the final say in all disputes.

Question 25

Can I pay 50% now and pay the remaining 50% closer to the date?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, there is no option for part payment. Guests are required to pay 100% of the payment before check-in.

Question 26

How can I make a payment?

Accepted Answer

All payments for booking the villa, including meals will have to be pre-paid prior to checkin. Security Deposit collected during booking will be returned during check-out or by NEFT within 5 business days after check-out, provided no damages are observed. To avoid inconvenience, we will not be accepting cash onsite for any reasons henceforth.

Please note: The Security Deposit is subject to change depending upon the number of nights and the group size. Please check with your holiday advisor at the time of booking.

Question 27

How and when do I pay for the Security Deposit and how and when is it returned to me?

Accepted Answer

A security deposit of Rs. 5,000 is to be paid online two days prior to the check-in. If no damages are observed, the deposit will be returned after check-out within 5 business days by NEFT.

Question 28

Do guests have to pay extra for pets?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Guests have to pay Rs 1000 per pet, plus extra for meals, if requested.

Question 29

How many extra mattresses can be provided?

Accepted Answer

Five extra floor mattresses can be provided. Every room has adequate pillow and bed linens for extra persons.

Question 30

What type of beds, mattresses do you have?

Accepted Answer

Every room has been furnished with a queen sized bed and the bed sheets are changed every third day.

Question 31

Do you provide toiletries and bath towels?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we provide toiletries like soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. To avoid hygiene issues, we do not provide towels.

Question 32

Is the Home air-conditioned?

Accepted Answer

The bedrooms rooms are air-conditioned.

Question 33

Does the villa face frequent power outages? Are there any invertors or gensets to address this issue?

Accepted Answer

The home is in a rural area of Maharashtra, powered by MSEB. In case of  disruption of power due to fluctuation, we have a backup generator installed.  However, this backup power does not support ACs or Geysers. Only fans and lights will be working on the backup power, and will also burn out beyond 4 hours.  Our homes are environment friendly, and we push our guests to be too. Please use electricity optimally at all times.
The pleasant monsoon and oncoming winter season do not require any extreme cooling appliances.

Question 34

Do you have a problem with mosquitoes? How do you deal with it to make our stay more comfortable?

Accepted Answer

All of the rooms have been furnished with All-out machines. Guests are advised to shut the windows by 5.30 / 7.30 pm to avoid mosquitoes. If needed, the caretaker has Odomos on site.
Nestled amidst nature and close to the sea, our villa attracts occasional visitors such as insects and lizards—these little guests are simply a part of this idyllic setting and beyond our control.

Question 35

Is there Internet/ 3G/ WiFi connection available onsite?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the home has WiFi connection. Also, there is adequate network connectivity, if not 3G then 2G.

Question 36

Is there a security guard / watchman?

Accepted Answer

No, but there are two caretakers always available at the villa.

Question 37

Are the premises monitored using CCTVs?

Accepted Answer

No, there are no CCTV cameras installed.

Question 38

Can stray dogs enter the premises?

Accepted Answer

Yes, stray dogs can enter the premises on occasion. However, should a stray dog enter, inform the caretaker and he will address the issue.

Question 39

Is the property properly fenced? Is there a boundary wall?

Accepted Answer

There is no concrete wall or fencing around the property but there is a lining of trees surrounding the villa.

Question 40

Is there First-aid kit available at your Home?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we do have a first-aid kid onsite, stocked with Dettol, band-aids and over-the-counter medicines like Metacin, Crocin etc.

Question 41

How do I get there?

Accepted Answer

Villa 270Â° is approximately a six-hour drive from Mumbai. If you're driving down from Mumbai, follow the Sion-Panvel Expressway and Mumbai â€“ Pune Expressway to Khopoli â€“ Pali Road in Chichawali. Continue on NH66. Drive from MH SH 272 and SH 96 to Dapoli. Additionally, there are buses available from Mumbai to Dapoli.

Question 42

Is this home child-friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes, our Home is child friendly. A television has been placed in every room and kid-friendly menus (pastas, cornflakes, Bournvita milk, etc) can be prepared on advance notice (prior to check-in). A basic First-aid kit stocked with Dettol, Band-Aid etc. is also available at the villa.

Question 43

Is this home senior citizen friendly?

Accepted Answer

The home is not senior-citizen friendly.Â

Question 44

Is the villa wheelchair accessible?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, our home is not wheelchair accessible.

Question 45

Is the place pet-friendly?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this is a pet-friendly villa. Pets will be charged at an additional cost of Rs. 1000 per pet. A refundable deposit may also be applied. Pets are not allowed on any of the furniture and will be restricted to the verandah area. Pet owners need to carry along food and bedding for their pets. In the event that guests cannot carry their own pet food, the caretaker will be available to cook and payment for the actuals will need to done at the property itself. Pets are not allowed in the pool.

Question 46

What can we do for fun around the property?

Accepted Answer

Spend the golden hour during your stay watching the sun set behind ocean waves - a breathtaking sight indeed!Â There are three beaches - Palande beach, Murud beach, Anjarle beach - close to the property that guests can visit. Murud beach is ideal for water sports. Tourist spots nearby that are a must visit are Suvarnadurgh Fort, the 12th century Kadyawarcha Ganpati (cliff temple in Anjarle) and the turtle breeding centre at Velas. During season, one can also take a boat trip to see the dolphins.

Question 47

Is there a pool and what's the depth/ length of the pool?

Accepted Answer

There are no pool facilities at this villa.

Question 48

Is there a beach close by and is it clean and safe?

Accepted Answer

Palande beach is about 4-5kms from the villa. It is a beautiful, white sand beach and is safe for swimming. For those who prefer water sports, Murud beach is not too far away.