Shanti Lodge

The only good thing is the Taj view from the top floor. The rooms are really dirty, and the food quality is poor. There was no water in the bathroom unless I asked the staff, and I had to do that both morning and evening. No phone to reach reception or the restaurant, no Wi-Fi except on the ground floor, no lift, and no bathroom bucket.

The Taj view from the rooftop is hard to beat. This place and the guest house across the road seem to be the only spots where you can sit outside and enjoy it. But the building felt like an abandoned local house on the way up the stairs, even though it turned out to be an operating guest house. The Diet Coke can was filthy and dusty, so I didn’t drink it. Five stars for the view, less than one for the place itself. Truly disgusting.

I arrived at 1.00am and had no choice but to stay. If I’d been able to, I would’ve cancelled and found somewhere better. The room was listed as standard and cost about 499₹ a night, but it was more like a store room. There was no privacy, the windows wouldn’t close, and mosquitoes kept me company. The restroom cleanliness was pathetic, and there were no doormats, blankets, bed light, telephone, or TV. While I was deep asleep, something fell on my face. I turned on the light and saw it was a layer of paint coming off the ceiling. I wasn’t satisfied at all.

The best thing here is the rooftop view of the Taj Mahkal. The rooms, sheets, and blankets were very dirty, the Wi-Fi was weak, and the rooftop restaurant was dead. The price doesn’t match the property. It might work for one night, but I don’t think you could stay long without hot water. Just a disgusting place to stay.