Beautifully built following terraced architecture on the western slopes of Shervarayan hills overlooking Salem town is Sterling Yercaud. It boasts of 69 well-appointed rooms, spa, recreation center, travel desk, resto bar and a multi cuisine restaurant spread over different levels. The interesting part is the pathway that connects these facilities. A landing after every short span of steps makes the pathway throughout the resort and it goes like a maze. Trees, plants, creepers decorate either side of the pathway giving beautiful backdrop for some stunning photographs. The amber glow of sunset viewed from the bottom edge of the resort is really mesmerizing. The scenery here in the evening hours will definitely unleash the photography skill in you.
While I was sipping a good cup of coffee by resting on the parapet wall of the sit out of my room relaxing in the warmth of morning sun in chill weather, from nowhere, a pack of simians were jumping from balcony to balcony scavenging leftovers left by guests from the dinner they had the previous night. The monkeys went about their business with absolute focus unmindful of the humans around. They quickly dispersed but, as a word of caution, it is better not to take any food in the balcony or sit out.
Zing, the multi cuisine restaurant is arguably the best place to dine in the whole of Yercaud. The chef balances the buffet with mix of dishes from North/South Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines. To my surprise, breakfast buffet had wheat rava upma which is a traditional south Indian tiffin and is rarely served in restaurants. Taste, texture and presentation of dishes were good. Al a carte too is available but of limited choices. Non vegetarian dishes comprise 30% of the spread/menu and the rest is vegetarian. The restaurant has two beautiful open to air alleys on either side adding more zing to dining experience.
Doing steps is unavoidable at Sterling Yercaud, but at the end of it you will find something good waiting that could give happiness. Like comfy of the room, quality of food in the restaurant, may be a massage at the spa and so on. That is why it is ‘Steps of Joy’. Those who are not in fine fettle need not worry. Just push your self a bit. It is worth the huff and puff. By the way, illuminated Salem city in the night is a sight to behold. It glitters so beautifully as though by a million fire flies.
A few things weren’t perfect in the room though. But those were attended immediately just over a call. To me the most annoying thing was at Zing, the ‘thud’ noise from the food console on closing it. Nothing much to complain about.
Special thanks to the master chef Mr. Satheesh and his team for making my daughter’s birthday grand. From decoration to cake, it was taken care by his team. At dinner, on the same evening, they surprised us by serving Pasta in red sauce which is her favorite and a gift hamper of homemade chocolates.
Check in/check out by Mr Moorthy and team was seamless.
A memorable stay indeed.
Looking forward to a ‘Sterling’ holiday experience somewhere in India again.