OYO 35818 Twin Falls Residency

I can't tell whether the online booking sites were cheating the hotel and guests, or the hotel was cheating people. Either way, we were the ones who got ripped off. There was a bad smell in the room and we got almost no service. The water bottle was a 5-litre plastic one with a broken seal, apparently refilled locally. There were no bathroom basics at all, no towel, soap, shampoo, nothing, and the blanket had black mold. We didn't even get breakfast though the online booking receipt said it was included. We didn't get water, let alone breakfast. Based on my experience, I'd tell people not to book rooms online. Arrive early and book directly; that should be a much better experience for you.

The room had a good view, but the other amenities were poor. The bathroom stank, and the owner pressured me to open the OYO app and leave a good rating. For breakfast we got two puris and a small bowl of sagu, and he said he couldn't give us more sagu. One manager yelled at us for talking in the hall, when he could have just asked us to keep it down. Overall, a bad stay.

The setting is peaceful, away from the usual bustle but still close to the heart of Ooty. There's green grass, fresh orange carrots, and scenery that's a treat to look at. Kids can play on the slide and swing in the grassy area. It's a place people of all ages can enjoy, especially honeymoon couples. Food is good in both quality and quantity, with North and South Indian options at reasonable prices. The place was clean and hygienic, and the staff were kind and open to suggestions for improvement. Hot water is available 24 hours a day, and tea and coffee are easy to get. A room heater would be a useful extra, especially for children and older people. The approach roads up to the Aarani house association need some maintenance.

The food tasted good, and the rooms were well kept, with a clean bathroom and an attached geyser. There's no restaurant, but they cook in a small kitchen and serve the food. Parking isn't provided by the hotel, though there's an empty area nearby that can fit at most four cars. The approach road is narrow and in poor condition. A fan would help with the stuffiness. You don't really need AC in Ooty, but a room heater may be useful in winter. All in all, it was a decent stay.