Edition O 30036 Ratna Palace

The food was good, but the dining hall was being used as a storeroom and there was a bad smell outside the rooms. Bathrooms weren't cleaned properly. They didn't provide basics like a toothbrush, toothpaste, or hair dryer, and the hotel's entrance was hard to recognize. With no services and so little for what you pay, this place isn't worth it.

The management were courteous and helpful when I spoke with them, though they didn't have enough means to resolve things. For business travel of a day or two, this might work, but I wouldn't choose it as a tourist hoping to explore the city. The value for money is poor: food is ridiculously expensive, breakfast was disappointing, and the rooms were average sized or incredibly small despite the tariff. Toast and paranthas arrived cold, though they did bring fresh toast when I asked. My room faced the sun, and the thin curtains let bright light in first thing in the morning. The place also ran out of water for about an hour. When I asked reception for toilet paper or tissues, they said there was no paper anywhere in the hotel. Cleanliness was another problem, with stains on the linen, bed, furniture, and walls.

The hotel smelled like rotten food all the time, apparently because they weren't discarding the food waste. The food service was poor. My husband had to leave for work at 9, but breakfast wasn't available until after that. Ask for even a small thing and they either say no or charge for it. We asked for a spoon and plate and were told they would cost Rs 50.

The property has been renovated, but the stay still wasn't up to the mark. We had to switch rooms twice: first the geyser didn't work, and the geyser switches were in different places from room to room; then the TV in the next room wouldn't connect. Service was a mess and took a long time. Staff didn't ask whether we wanted anything before the kitchen closed. A lot needs improvement.