I was in Pune a few years ago and stayed at the Meridien. It's not exactly a 5-star (maybe 4) but it seemed much nicer than the Taj Diamond, where we ate lunch one day and waited around for a flight.

I always try really, really hard to eat at some place recommended by a food-loving local (as opposed to a hotel concierge). I did very well in Pune, getting a Maharashtrian thali at a little place called Shabree. I wrote this up on Chowhound here .