Le Ciel Homestay

The place is peaceful, with the beach about 2 km away, and the road from ECR highway is now good. But getting there without a two- or four-wheeler is very difficult. It may be quiet because people only stay here when they can’t find a hotel or place in pondy. The rooms are decent, but I’d say they’re worth 1k. I paid 2.5 k during the Christmas holiday because my schedule was short. Wi-Fi was poor, there was no hot water for a morning bath, and the free breakfast wasn’t worth it, they bought it from a local shop. They offer free tea and coffee 24 hours, but I never tried it because I don’t like milk-powder tea or coffee. Only four cars can park inside, though there’s room for more than ten bikes outside the car parking area. There’s no security, and as guests we had to open and close the gate every time. They take cards, but there are extra charges.

The room was clean, but this felt like a cheap hotel rather than a homestay. The owner was arrogant, and basic things like toiletries were missing. It’s far inside and you can’t get there without your own vehicle. Reaching it at night didn’t feel safe, and I wouldn’t recommend it to solo or women travellers.

It was an extremely stressful stay, and the manager was a nice, helpful man, but the owner was rude, disrespectful, and unprofessional. Hospitality ethics were compromised more than once. Several selling points turned out to be lies, including how close the hotel was to the beach. There was no decent cutlery. The breakfast was roadside food wrapped in newspaper. We also had Wi-Fi and cable problems, a faulty card machine, and pre-booking charges. The list goes on. It was harrowing, to say the least.

The area is very quiet, and the room is spacious. The hotel is close to the beach, about a five-minute ride. I’m still not sure the price is justified. Here’s how I see it: Pros: good location, large room, and a very quiet setting. Cons: I don’t think it’s worth more than a thousand. There’s no Wi-Fi, and Airtel and Jio are both slow, so internet access is limited or unavailable. Toiletries are provided, but not what you’d expect for the rate. It’s hard to find or reach without your own vehicle, and the free breakfast isn’t worth it. The place didn’t feel especially welcoming or warm, whether you think of it as a hotel or a homestay.