Jagannath Ballav Bhakta Niwas

For the price, this place is a great deal. We had a four-bed room and stayed several days during our pilgrimage in January 26. The washroom was clean, and there are lots of vegetarian restaurants right along the main street. The temple is roughly 500 meters away. The only thing that felt odd at first was that the hotel is on the top floor of a market complex, though we got used to it. Staff were fine, if not especially friendly. I found no other fault with the place.

The main drawback for some guests is the stairs: rooms are on the second floor and there’s no elevator, so older people and anyone with a disability may have trouble. Otherwise, the rooms are good for the price and the hotel is close to the main temple on the main road. Parking is right beside it, and government electric vehicles run from there to the temple for senior citizens, women with children, and people with disabilities. There are also good pure vegetarian restaurants nearby. If you want a decent room close to the temple, it’s a good choice.

The room was clean and spacious, and for a budget stay I’d give it five stars. It’s on Grand Road in Puri, about 600 meters on foot from the temple and 300 meters beyond Puri government hospital. Parking is available at the back.

I wouldn’t stay here again. The manager was arrogant and unhelpful. We had to check in on the second floor, only to be told our room was in another building, so we had to haul all our luggage over there. They lock the door at 11:00, which becomes a problem if darshan at Puri takes longer. There’s no lift either, making it difficult for older guests.