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The Dune Eco Beach Hotel: Traveller Reviews

3.5 of 5
Keelputhupet | Via Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India
Hotel amenities
The Dune Eco Beach Hotel
Ranked #8 of 42 hotels in Pondicherry
4.0 of 5 stars 182 Reviews
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182 reviews from our community

What travellers say about this hotel
  • Swimming pool(10)
  • Tower House(6)
  • Room service(6)
  • Very nice(5)
  • Best honeymoon(3)
  • Great view(3)
  • Shallow end(3)
  • Tamil Nadu(3)
Traveller rating
    77
    57
    23
    11
    14
Only show reviews for Family (78) | Couples (78) | Business (5)
Date Rating
Chennai (Madras), India
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
“Love Dune, but...”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 February 2012
3
people found this review helpful

My fourth trip, and as always the resort is a breath of fresh air. Loved the Bangle room's pretty designs with broken pieces of colored bangle. Would rate this the prettiest room I've stayed in so far. Spacious, private, close to restaurant, and big bathroom. Breakfast was superb and they accommodated special requests with grace. Pool and beach are amazing.

But...
1. The shower is too short and is not positioned properly over the bathtub.
2. The room needs more lights at night, especially the bathroom. Lighting is dim.
3. We were two adults and two kids and all 4 bikes we got were rusty and out of alignment. The kids bikes were hardly usable on the rough roads within the resort. The salt air corrodes, so maintaining bikes is essential. Kids soon gave up trying to ride them. There were no extra bikes available, so we didn't get replacements.
4. The DVDs we borrowed from the restaurant were scratched. It's frustrating when kids are watching something and it stops, and they have to restart all the way from the beginning. The DVD players are archaic.
5. While the room was pretty, the roof was made of what looked like plywood pieces put together. Nothing artistic or quirky about that. Cheap, lazy...these are the adjectives that come to mind.
6. Usually i enjoy eating at the FUN restaurant, but this time dinner was chaotic, food was delayed, and some of it was just average.
7. Looks like there needs to be better management at the restaurant, and better maintenance and attention to detail overall.

Dune is a family favorite, so I hope the wrinkles are ironed out and we have some good bikes, better DVD players and DVDs, and efficient service next time.

  • Stayed February 2012, travelled with family
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Ask madrascheck2 about The Dune Eco Beach Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Bangalore, India
1 review
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“No worth the price..”
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

I'd rate this lower if not for a couple of friendly people at the front desk that really helped when needed.
We stayed in accommodation that would qualify as backpacking material - thatch with lizard droppings on the sheets. I've travelled 3rd class from Chennai to Kolkata so I know unclean !
The entry to the hut is very child unfriendly. My son fell and had to have 6 stitches to close a cm long cut. The first aid is located in the spa, the people at the spa do not know what has to be administered and kept asking me what i wanted. No wrap bandages available, and i was offered part of a gauze bandage, actually cut in front of me as though it was gold i was asking for ! Not kid friendly at all!!! refer attached photo for details
The food is nothing to speak of. I understand the health and nature thingy here, but to have no salt in your food is awful. Breakfast is nothing to speak of. the spread is mostly fruits, lousy dosa's, hard idly's and weird muesli. The egg station is the saving grace. the seafood was average with no specials of the day for the time we were there. The worst part, there is no separate smoking zone which i believe is mandated by law. there were many foreigners merrily smoking in the main eating area. wonder how the health thing fits in here !!!
The lighting in the hut was low powered CFLs in arty lampshades which actually blocked most of the light. CFLS are to be used as is and not to be put in enclosed shades-says so on the box. The carpet grass in front of the hut probably ensured we had a steady supply of mosquito's for the night. The mosquito net was several inches short so couldnt be tucked into the bed. The saving grace was a mosquito repellant device which gave out an eerie orange light throughout the night.
Cycling though a good idea need to be followed up with properly maintained bikes considering the paths are all mud.
Saving grace was the kiddy pool, the hammocks and the easy access to the beach.

For the price we paid, this was a let down. Certainly a no-no for a second visit. we'll head to the french q the next time..

Room Tip: dont choose the stilts please. try the flex room though
See more room tips
  • Stayed January 2012, travelled with family
    • 1 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 1 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask r g about The Dune Eco Beach Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Bangalore, India
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
7 helpful votes 7 helpful votes
“Go for relaxing, good food and great time”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 February 2012

Oh it was an amazing experience.
We stayed in the Thatched hut which at the first glance didn't impress me but once you go inside, you'll be mesmerised by the bed and the minimal yet essential interiors.
The bathrooms are nice and big and one of kind, actually... ;)
Loved the idea of the sit out, you can sit there on the quieter evening, grab something to drink, feel the breeze and enjoy your time with friends and loved ones.
They provide bikes/bicycles to move around the property. But the seats are really extremely uncomfortable !!!

The pool is perfectly done and lit. Also, they have the changing room next to it.

And their breakfast spread is one of the best !!
Loved it.

  • Stayed March 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask debs2201 about The Dune Eco Beach Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
HK
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Great experience but not for everyone”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 January 2012

Recently stayed at the Dune for the second time. Overall the experience was terrific, the staff were extremely helpful and the food at the restaurant was exceptional. It was also wonderful to be in the thick of nature, although I can understand why that aspect may overwhelm some guests. One drawback would be the quality of the room we stayed in. Although nice, it was starting to show its age a little and could use a coat of paint. Will return for sure.

  • Stayed January 2012, travelled as a couple
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Service
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Ask Drew P about The Dune Eco Beach Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Brussels, Belgium
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
“Dream destination in itself!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 January 2012
1
person found this review helpful

We stayed at Dune and loved every feature and the overall spirit of the village/hotel with a unique cottage experience. The people were kind and helpful, the restaurant food was impeccable and offered enough variety to eat in daily! In addition, the atmosphere was artistic, inspiring and calm. If I had to make a suggestion, it would be to provide more evening entertainment since the hotel is far from the city. Otherwise, a great pleasure and I would recommend to all!

Room Tip: All are great!
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  • Stayed December 2011, travelled with family
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Was this review helpful? Yes
Ask globalistic about The Dune Eco Beach Hotel
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC

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Additional Information about The Dune Eco Beach Hotel

  • The Dune Beach Village
Address: Keelputhupet | Via Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India
Price range (per night):* 110 AUD - 115 AUD

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