Sterling Athirappilly

Review of Sterling Athirappilly – Stay on 21 June to 22 June 2025 (2.25/5) Our stay at Sterling Athirappilly was overall pleasant, but the experience was impacted by significant check-in delays. We faced a 1.5-hour wait for our room, which was further extended due to lack of proactive communication. Despite being offered complimentary food for the inconvenience, the service felt unprofessional—juice was served in tea glasses, which was disappointing. Once checked in, the property and surroundings met our expectations, and the rest of our stay was comfortable. However, the initial delays and handling of the situation detracted from the overall experience. We recommend Sterling Athirappilly focus on improving their check-in process and service professionalism to match the quality of their property.

I stayed at Sterling Athirapilly with a group of seven friends on June 22nd, and unfortunately, our experience fell significantly short of expectations. We arrived at the property at 1:30 PM for check-in, only to be informed that our rooms were not ready. Despite the standard check-in time, we were made to wait until 3:30 PM — a delay of over 90 minutes, with no prior intimation or proper apology. While we waited, the front office staff offered complimentary lunch at their restaurant. We declined, having already eaten during our journey from Bangalore. When we expressed our need to rest, they insisted we visit the restaurant for some refreshments instead. What followed was even more disappointing. The service at the restaurant was extremely poor. We waited an unreasonable amount of time for the refreshments — simple juices and snacks — which only arrived after repeated reminders. The staff displayed a lack of courtesy and attentiveness. To make matters worse, the presentation was shockingly substandard: ice cream served in ketchup bowls and juice in undersized glasses (photos attached). Adding to our frustration, the front office staff member who directed us to the restaurant disappeared entirely and never followed up. Even after we tracked him down later, there was no apology or acknowledgment of the poor experience. When we asked to speak to the restaurant manager, no one came forward. It felt as though the staff had been instructed to avoid accountability altogether. This level of unprofessionalism and disregard for guest experience is unacceptable — particularly from a reputed brand like Sterling. It raises serious concerns about staff training and customer service standards. Is this how guest issues are generally handled — by ignoring them? While the property itself has decent infrastructure, the lake view is largely blocked by tall bamboo trees, which takes away from what is marketed as a key highlight of the location. Unfortunately, any redeeming qualities of the property were completely overshadowed by the poor service and dismissive attitude of the staff. Based on this experience, we are left with no option but to rate our stay a disappointing 1 out of 5. I hope the management takes this feedback seriously and makes immediate improvements in staff training, accountability, and overall guest care.

Sometimes I wish we could give a place negative stars – that’s how frustrating our experience at Sterling Athirapally turned out. We made a last-minute booking after being lured by glowing reviews and dreamy photos. Everything online painted a promising picture, and the price of ₹11,100 for a basic room seemed fair – until we arrived. The moment we stepped into the property, the letdown began. The welcome was lackluster and far from the warmth you’d expect from a “resort.” We were allotted a first-floor room, and the problems were visible from the word go. Unwashed cups, incomplete housekeeping, and an overall sense of neglect greeted us. There was one chair on the balcony – for a double occupancy room? The pillow covers were torn, the bed sheet was dirty, and the floor looked like it hadn’t been cleaned since the last guests checked out. It felt more like a dusty hostel than a 4-star resort. When we reported this to the staff, their response was even more disappointing. For nearly an hour, no one bothered to even acknowledge our complaint. We finally asked to speak to the General Manager – who never showed up. Not even an apology. Apathy at its absolute worst. Thank you, Team Sterling, for ruining what was meant to be a peaceful family getaway. We walked out completely disheartened. Safe to say, we’re never coming back. If you’re planning a stay here, tread with caution – this is a far cry from what a 4-star experience should be. Let me know if you want a shorter version for review sites like Google or TripAdvisor!

High praise for this resort and their staff. They ensured our family of 20 had the best time possible. Kudos to the staff at Waterfront restaurant within the resort, especially Mr. Prajod, who put together the most beautiful surprise birthday celebrations for me. The lovely staff also hosted games and music parties to keep the little kids entertained. The view of the river is breathtaking, visible from every room. The constant sounds of the flowing waters made our stay that much more peaceful. Thank you, Sterling! Highly recommend!

The rooms were nice and well-kept, and the buffet offered a variety of delicious options, earning a rating of 3 for these services. On the other hand, the front desk staff lacked friendliness and a customer-focused attitude; they appeared indifferent and did not warmly welcome new guests. If I were to return to this hotel, it would be because of the room, the food, or the scenic surroundings featuring a lovely river and a distant waterfall, though sadly, the waterfall is not visible from the so-called waterfall view room.

We had a great stay at Sterling Athirapalli in a beautiful waterfall view room. Surrounded by nature, it was the perfect place to relax. The staff was friendly, the food was delicious, and the room service was excellent. Highly recommended for a peaceful getaway!