Hotel Surya

After checkout, we told them we’d left a dress in the room and asked them to keep it so we could collect it on our return. We tried contacting them through different channels, but got no reply. They couldn’t even show the courtesy of returning one item of clothing. Such a shame.

We found the recommendation from a fellow train passenger worth taking. We paid about 100 rupees for an autorickshaw from the railway station, then stayed at Hotel Surya during Navratri. The rooms were clean, and five of us fit comfortably. The toilets were especially clean, and there was a television in the room. In Hampankatta, often thought of as the heart of Mangalore City, it was easy to get around. The main city bus stop is a two-minute walk away, and city buses, private cars, and autorickshaws (rikshas) are easy to find nearby. There are plenty of restaurants in the area too.

The front desk person was too rude, and the place didn’t feel safe. The toilet was bad, there was a cigarette smell, bed bugs, and broken windows. If those are things you’re willing to put up with, this might be your choice. I’d avoid it if you’re staying in Mangalore with family.

We paid for a room online and arrived expecting to stay, but the receptionist asked about our caste and religion. When we wouldn’t share that information, they refused to accommodate us. There’d been no mention of this policy when we booked. They didn’t apologize, offer a refund, or help us in any way. We were just told to leave. I’m extremely disappointed and upset by the experience. It felt discriminatory and completely unacceptable, with their biased policy put ahead of basic respect and customer care. I strongly advise against staying at Surya Hotel, and hope they change how they treat customers.