Philomena Hotel & Apartment

The location was handy for shops and transport, and the staff treated us respectfully throughout. Our rooms were spacious and hygienic, and the hospitality was very good. It was a great fit for a family stay, and the kids enjoyed themselves. Highly recommended.

Poor service, and the night shift male receptionist was rude and didn't seem to know how to guide customers on parking. There's ample parking space, but he still made it a problem. I doubt how they can have an employee like that at the front desk. They turn off the geyser after 10 even though the amenities say hot water is available 24 hours. Our room AC didn't work, and a couple of lights were out. They also have separate rules for online and direct bookings. Beware!

The staff went out of their way to make sure we got breakfast, even though we missed the complimentary service and checkout time had nearly arrived. We were three people, and the team was responsive both day and night. The room and bathroom were clean, and the rate was reasonable. A good choice if you're visiting Thanjavoor.

The reception staff deserves credit: he was polite, quick to respond, and handled several responsibilities at once. We came with elderly parents and a baby, and the hotel felt safe and family-friendly. It sits in a busy central area around 2 km from the temple, with shops, tea stalls, and hotels nearby, so sorting out food was easy. The rooms and toilets were clean and bright, and the sheets and towels were comfortable. The AC worked well, and there was good hot water in the morning. The complimentary food was average, though neatly packed and delivered on time. We had a date mix-up with an Agoda booking. The hotel explained that Agoda needed to make the change and said they'd check availability once Agoda contacted them. Agoda only offers chat support, so it took a while, but they coordinated with the hotel and the date change went through. Both sides were helpful. A few practical things could be better. The bed was thin enough that we could feel the cot slab when sitting, and the only bedroom light was a bright spotlight, with no night lamp. The TV remote was dusty, and the washbasin tap leaked a little. Our room phone didn't work, so we had to go to reception with requests. Hot water wasn't on at first that night; after we reported it, reception switched it on right away, but we still had to wait. It would help to have it ready at check-in. Parking is available but tight. I was asked to move my car so another vehicle could get out, which was inconvenient. There was no night food service, and some basic late-night options would help families. We also had to carry our luggage ourselves because room service staff weren't available, even after we'd let them know. We checked in around 8 PM and asked for checkout an hour later, but were allowed only until 10:30 AM. Since we arrived late and left early at 9:30 AM, more flexibility would've been appreciated. With better beds, service availability, parking arrangements, and food options at night, the stay could improve.