Hotel Vijay

I would advise confirming room availability several times before booking, so you don't run into problems at the last minute. My experience was with two elderly couples, aged 73 and 64, planning to visit temples around Madurai. On 10 January 2026, I booked two non-AC double rooms for 3 February 2026, with a 06:00 AM check-in. Receptionist-1 noted and confirmed those details. Before leaving for Madurai, I called on 2 February. Since our train was expected to arrive early, around 05:00 AM, I asked whether I could reach the hotel at 05:15. Receptionist-1 said I might wait 15 minutes, as check-in was at 06:00. We arrived around 05:30 AM. Receptionist-2, a different person, said no non-AC rooms were available then, and we'd have to wait until the occupants left. He wrote our arrival date and time in the register but couldn't tell us when a room would be ready. He said it might be after 07:00 and that he wasn't sure. He also said the owner had asked them not to book rooms before 07:00, and he didn't know how ours had been booked for 06:00. I wondered if an owner would really give that instruction. I explained several times that we had to leave for temple visits at 08:00 or our plans would be affected. I told him about my calls with Receptionist-1, but instead of taking responsibility and checking, Receptionist-2 told me to contact the first receptionist. I didn't even have his mobile number, and it was 05:30 AM. I said it was his responsibility to call and check. We had a long discussion. I called the number, but no one picked up. Receptionist-2 offered AC rooms at the AC tariff, but not an AC room for us to freshen up while waiting for the non-AC rooms. We waited about 30 minutes in the lobby with no sign of a room being assigned. I booked rooms elsewhere and left. I suspect the two receptionists weren't on good terms. I told Receptionist-2 that if they had a problem between them, they shouldn't show it to customers. I asked him to imagine being in our position, and he kept quiet. He said the owner would visit, but I never got the chance to stay and complain to the owner in person.

It’s handy being so close to Periyar bus stand, Meenakshi amman temple, and koodal alagar temple, with easy access around Madurai too. We found the stay suited our needs, and Raja sir and mani sir made the service comfortable for us. pandiyan sir was fabulous as well. I’d recommend this place for girls and for families or friends, especially for the safety and transport.

The staff are polite and helpful, and the rates are economical. I’ve stayed at Hotel Vijay Madurai a few times, booking directly and getting around without private transport. Its location makes temple visits easy, with the railway station and Periyar bus stand both a short walk away if you’re carrying light luggage. There’s also a very good vegetarian restaurant, KPS, just a few minutes away. The non AC room was comfortable, and the windows had good quality, door type mosquito nets. Thank you.

Be careful with the Rameswaram day trip package. We were picked up late in the morning, the sightseeing wasn’t covered, and then we were left with nowhere to go. It felt like a total waste of money. The rooms weren’t clean, and the place came across as very unprofessional.