Hotel Sivapriya

The building has a grand name and a big parking area, but the service was poor. Nobody gave us proper guidance, and repeated calls to the room intercom and reception went unanswered, so I had to go downstairs myself. Guests aren't treated with basic respect here. I was told hot water would be available from 8 to 10 in the morning and evening, but it actually ran only in the mornings. If you need to leave before 8, you're stuck skipping a bath or using cold water. The restaurant is vegetarian only, and I felt embarrassed there too. Breakfast came with the room, but I didn't know uttappa wasn't included, so I asked for it. The waiter said they didn't have it. A diner nearby pointed out that another waiter had said it was available, and the waiter replied that it was available to that customer but not to me. The rooms have no ventilation, there's no bathroom exhaust fan, and the balcony and windows have no safety grilles. It felt unsafe and unhygienic. If you care about safety, cleanliness, or your dignity, avoid this hotel.

For the price, this is a decent place to stay. It's easy to find in the city center, with huge parking where I felt my car was safe. Our room was spacious and clean, with a family-size bed that could comfortably sleep three adults. Hot water was available from 6 to 8 a.m., enough for what we needed. Room service didn't cost extra, and the food was decent and reasonably priced. The TV had news and entertainment channels in English, Malayalam, Hindi, and several other languages. There was no kettle, though. Even if you bring one, plugging it in cuts the power automatically, so making tea or coffee in the room isn't possible.

If you love South Indian food, this vegetarian restaurant is a great find. The menu is limited and mostly South Indian, but the food is amazingly good and the staff are friendly. In peak season it gets so busy that you may have to wait for a table. The crowds seem to show how authentic and popular the place is.

It's a large hotel with 80 rooms, a roomy reception with big sofas, nice decor, and plenty of parking. The upper rooms have especially good views. The pure vegetarian restaurant is clean and spacious, with excellent food at reasonable prices and a professional, experienced staff. At around 2,000-2,500 per night with breakfast, it's a good-value premium budget option. The main bazaar is 1.2 km away and the lake is 900 meters away. There are also two hills to the northwest that are nice for a morning trek.