Raj palace

The room looked neglected, with dusty, old furniture, a dirty kettle I had to wash myself, and no tea bags until I called reception. They eventually sent tea and milk powder, but there wasn’t even a coffee mug, so I used a water glass. A Bisleri bottle was marked as chargeable, and the other glass bottle held water I didn’t trust, so I used my own bottled water. The window looked out onto a garbage pile, and my prawn biryani came with a piece of chicken in it. I was here for an official visit, and things started badly at check-in. I explained that my client had booked and paid, but the receptionist only confirmed that the booking was paid, without explaining the facilities or welcoming me. The corridor smelled foul, and when I mentioned it, the attendant said his nose was blocked and he couldn’t smell it. This was the worst stay I’ve had. The staff came across as having too much attitude and caring more about money than basic service. I won’t stay here again, and I’ve already told my client not to book it in future. Poor service, unhygienic conditions, and no professionalism.

Getting back to our room, the access card wouldn’t open the door. Reception sent three people to check it before they managed to open it, then blamed us for locking it, even though it had been airlocked from inside. Their first response was to blame and disrespect us. The reception area was very dark, and service was slow when my family and I arrived after a long trip. Breakfast was mediocre, and the cleanliness was seriously poor. Some ingredients, including sugar, were kept near the floor, which seemed like a health risk. I’m very disappointed and won’t return.

The smell was hard to ignore, from the lift through the corridors, and the whole place felt unhygienic and badly maintained. Even the bedspread added to my doubts about the cleanliness. We arrived at midnight after a long journey and were asked whether we had paid in full. The receptionist had no proper record of our confirmed booking. I don’t understand how Raj Palace Hotel, Chennai gets positive reviews. Basic cleanliness and hospitality were missing, and the stay was very disappointing.

The restaurant was a real highlight. The food was very good, and Mr. Sunder and Ms Sandhya were courteous, attentive, and quick to help with every request. Their warm, personal service made the meal more enjoyable, and they stayed professional while still being friendly and approachable. The staff made our visit memorable. I stayed at Raj Palace for a day with my family and aged parents. The rooms were comfortable for two, though a bit cramped for three. Highly recommended.