Kings Lodge

The lodge is very luxurious and gets many basics right. We stayed here for 3 nights and did a 1 full day safari. We also stayed at other Pugdundee lodges in MP so this review might be a comparison with other Pugdundee lodges and not necessarily a comparison with other lodges in Bandhavgarh. I found Kings Lodge rooms to be a tad smaller than others. It would be nice to have a slightly larger room, but rooms and bathroom were absolutely clean with running water at all times even in peak summer. Food was pretty good too. The only miss I thought was they missed getting a cold coffee in the morning despite being instructed several times. One other irritant that comes to mind was their interruption to our peaceful dinner 2-3 times asking for next day's breakfast. We chose an option they gave but next day morning the breakfast spread didn't have the option. It would be nice to not be disturbed when having a meal. Parking was safe and we had no problems with that. Overall, staff was polite and accommodating. The lodge has a very nice green forested patch towards the back which we were told was used as corridor for wild animals to pass across zones. Their staff member was very kind to take us for a walk in the evening post dinner to experience the darkness and chance of spotting some animal. While we didn't spot any animal, we were very happy to experience this environment. I requested Mr. Ravi to move us to the room closest to this forested patch and he agreed but we decided to not move due to some reason. We did a full day safari in Bandhavgarh and were pleased to spot many animals/birds in the forest. Their naturalist did a good job driving us around in the forest the whole day and being enthusiastic about it. They packed sufficient food for as breakfast and lunch in the forest. They also had sufficient water and limbu-pani for hydration in peak summer. All in all, I think this is a very nice lodge with very comfortable stay, good food, and hospitality. I would visit them again, though hoping I get my dose of cold coffee in the morning next time. :)

Cherishing the awesome memories gathered at king’s lodge Bandhavgarh during 26th to 30th may. We stayed in room No. 2. We got such a warm welcome and the best of hospitality ever. The house keeping staff were prompt in rendering their service. The dining hall staff would be keen on serving the best on the palate, the on-duty chef used to enquire if we were served well and what we would like for the next meal. We did spend some time exploring the Organic, Butterfly and Mushroom Garden in the Resort. They were well maintained. The fruits and vegetables they grow in these gardens are also used in various dishes served to guests. All the staff were so well mannered and glimpse of courtesy towards the guests was noticeable. The ambiance of the resort if asked to rate it would be 5 ⭐️s. The reception staff would attend the calls from our room and made sure our requirements were fulfilled. And after coming from safari during the hot may month the warm welcome we used to receive was so touching. Last, but not the least while leaving the place the reception staff ***** with some housekeeping staff and GM came to bid us happy journey near our vehicle with packed snacks for us and cold water. This reminded me of the instances when we leave our relatives house. In short excellent place to stay with loved ones.

We are so glad that we chose Kings Lodge & Pugdundee Safaris:) The service was highly personalized and exceptional and the smallest details were taken into consideration:) staff members are always willing to help and are very friendly, food is beyond amazing and the safaris were very well planned!! Definitely coming back!! A special shoutout to manager Ravi and chef Naupat for their constant presence and willingness to adjust to all our requirements. Our safari experience was truly exceptional thanks to Uttam Ji & Veer who were so well versed with the jungle. Their expertise, dedication and friendly nature made this journey unforgettable!!

This was our most awaited trip of the year and all thanks to Pugdandee safari kings lodge for making it the most cherished trip!! We were so overwhelmed by their hospitality. We thank the whole team for their efforts to make us feel so comfortable and cozy. Our safari's were also arranged by them on our request. Our Safari experience was in another level with Raju who was our dedicated naturalist for our entire stay,who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about wildlife and also helped us spot 16 Tigers. The chef was on toes to tantalize our taste buds with loads of mouth watering dishes,his cold water melon soup was just out of the world! Their special dinner arranged amongst the bushes was so mesmerizing! Their manager was very keen to make our entire stay very homely and comfortable. KUDOS!! to the entire team of Pugdandee safari for such a wonderful stay!!

Anyone (mostly) who comes to this hotel is going to remember the jungle and their experiences in the jungle more than where they stay, and therefore it is difficult for any place to live up to that expectation, knowing that they'll always be second best. King's lodge however is at ease with that expectation and not only amplifies the experience in the jungle but goes the extra step in ensuring that everything you do outside of it is also special. Let's get the average out of the way- the rooms were comfortable without being opulent and the bathroom was clean and the beds provided a good night's rest.... There is a nice verandah to sit outside, but given the heat, we barely ever used it. Somehow, we expected the room to be more spacious, but apart from that it felt fine. Now to what makes this place stand out- the people, the food, the setting and the service.... Absolutely wonderful. The chef and his staff ensure that the food, while phenomenal, never lets you feel that you're not having a home cooked meal. A great thank you to Nopat Singh for the lovely food and the home made desserts will stay with us for a long time. He had a chat with all the guests during the meals and was always eager to customize depending on the guest's needs. The dinner setting, in the outdoors, was amazing and added a great touch to the brilliant food. The packed breakfasts during the safaris were good enough for a safari picnic. The entire staff, from Ravi and Prashant, to each and everyone in the kitchen and the naturalists were extremely friendly and polite and always willing to go that extra step to help. They were always there with cold water before our safaris and with cold towels after we returned. Another touch we found really endearing was when the entire staff came to wave us off when we were leaving...Kudos to the entire staff for making us feel so special. We used the pool in the afternoons on a couple of days, and while it's small, it was quite refreshing and a welcome respite from the heat outside. They do also have a small and basic games room. The naturalists who accompanied us, Veer Panditji and Prateek were all very knowledgeable and ensured that our safaris were comfortable, while exciting, and helped us understand the ways of the wild a lot better. We absolutely loved our trip to bandhavgarh and while the tigers and the wildlife will remain the highlight, we will never forget the hospitality of king's lodge... Would definitely love to be back here!

The Kings Lodge near Bandhavgarh National Park is a perfect spot to stay while seeking out tigers! First and foremost, the accommodations were excellent - with air conditioning in each of the rooms (temperatures during my stay were routinely over 100 F). The beds were comfortable and there was plenty of natural light available. The lodge had excellent food with an on-site chef who included both traditional Indian food as well as western choices. In my travels in India, this food was the best and freshest. The chef also came out, often before and after a meal to check with us on how our dining experience. Kings Lodge also provided a packed breakfast for us that we took into the National Park each day. The naturalists and drivers from Pundundee were amazing - Ramesh and Raju Utam worked very hard to find the elusive tigers in the National Park, regardless of which gate we entered. The lodge also has a small swimming pool and had two different outdoor dining locations during our visit besides the main (air conditioned) dining area. The staff were extremely hospitable and responsive to our needs. The cold drinking water (I suggest bringing your own insulated water bottle) available 24/7 outside the main patio was also a welcome amenity. The walkways were a bit dark in the early morning (we left at 4:45 a.m. for the National Park) and at night - however, a staff member will accompany you with a flashlight if desired. All in all, I was very pleased in staying here during my recent trip to India.

We had a wonderful time at kings lodge. It’s a beautiful place with wonderful staff and great food. It’s an eco resort with most items locally sourced and minimal waste. The rooms are really nice - clean, comfortable and lovely. Staff were so caring the whole time, especially when I was a bit unwell. They provided medicines and local remedies, customised my meals and kept checking on me. They have a great chef, we loved all the meals, everything was super tasty and each day they have huge variety of dishes to taste. They have a great butterfly garden and organically grow their own food which they use in the cooking. Finally, the safari experience was brilliant too, with a really knowledgeable guide who added to the whole experience. We saw tigers every day which was wonderful. Would highly recommend - the place was great, the safaris excellent but the staff really made it something more.

Thanks to the entire team of kings lodge for being so courteous and chef you have pampered us to the fullest! Really enjoyed the food! The butterfly and vegetable garden is beautiful! Thank you once again for making our stay memorable! Place worth visiting again.