Sundaram Palace

My room was comfortable for one, neat and clean, with a spacious clean bathroom. The AC and TV worked, there was a mini fridge, and they accept cards, which is great. Staff proactively checked whether I wanted lunch or dinner. The one problem was the hand shower, which didn’t work. The hotel is a two minutes walk from the bus stand, a little way inside the street and away from road noise. There’s a Pizza Hut, market, theatre, and lots of eateries nearby.

The main plus is the location, close to Siliguri Junction, the bus station, and local markets, so it’s convenient for travelers. My stay at Hotel Sundaram Palace was otherwise quite average. The room was compact, with no clock or night lamp. The TV didn’t work, and staff couldn’t fix it when I called. The geyser also wasn’t working at first. It took several calls and about 30 minutes before they repaired it, which was inconvenient. The bathroom was okay, nothing special. It’s a decent place, but in my opinion not a good hotel.

Really good service, and a very nice room.

The corner room I asked for on my second stay was very nice, large, bright, and almost perfect. Those rooms are good for families. Staff were welcoming and helpful, the bathroom was spacious, and the location is a bit off the main road, so it’s peaceful. My first room had a different story. The AC was controlled from reception and worked like a cooler, blowing very cold air even at 32 degrees. The electrical switches and board were broken, with a circuit open somewhere. Reception also controlled the geyser, which was really awkward, and the TV had no remote. I didn’t like that the staff were a bit nosy and expected tips. The checkout was awkward too: staff go to your room to check whether anything is missing before you’re cleared to leave. I find that unusual, though maybe they’re being cautious because they don’t know what customers might do.