Hotel Vilasam - Mahabalipuram

The only real plus was being in Mahabalipuram. The nearby bus station meant noise at all hours, and the place was dirty and poorly maintained, with lots of mosquitoes. The toilet hadn't been cleaned properly, and bed bugs kept biting me through the night. The mattress was so uncomfortable that I developed back pain within two days. I can't post photos, maybe Google is restricting them after taking money. Otherwise, you'd see all the good memories.

Parking nearby is a problem, so plan for that before you arrive. Inside, the rooms felt cramped and poorly laid out, with nowhere for phone chargers and no hangers, chairs, or table. The bathroom's ongoing drainage smell made the experience unpleasant. The location, though, is very convenient: the beach is close, and monuments and shops are all within walking distance.

We got a room even though we arrived without a booking, and there was plenty of space for four of us. It was neat and hygienic, and the staff were polite. They supplied two one-litre Aquafina bottles and soap. The bus stand is under a five-minute walk away, and parking is available at nearby Hotel Mamalla Residency. Reception also shares sightseeing information, and bookings can be made through MakeMyTrip. Good value for the price.

The location is the main draw, with the tourist spots within about a 15-minute walk. It's a minute from the bus station, around 10 minutes to the beach, three minutes to the ASI cluster sites via butter ball gate, and five minutes to the popular cafe lane. Rooms are clean and average-sized, but there's no toiletries, electric kettle, or room service.