The Bungalow On The Beach - Tranquebar

The service was warm and welcoming, and we loved our stay so much we wished we could have stayed longer. The building is beautifully preserved and decorated with maps, pictures, and objects from another time, along with antique or old-style quality furniture. There are thoughtful touches like extra candles and matches in the room. High ceilings and huge ocean-facing windows make it feel special, while good blinds and drapes can keep the light out. If heritage is what you’re after, this is a lovely choice. Everything worked well for us. My husband was happy with the strong air conditioning, and I appreciated that the hot shower worked properly, which hasn’t always been my experience at hotels in India. Meals were good too: I had the local fish curry, and he chose the Creole Chicken Curry. Breakfast included freshly made South Indian dishes, several kinds of Western bread, decent jam, and delicious local fruit. The setting is hard to beat. We had dinner on the balcony overlooking the beach, then watched the sun rise over the Indian ocean. We had a better stay here than at some 4-star places, so I don’t understand why Google lists it as only a 3-star-hotel.

We stopped for a quick bite, and the food, location, and service were all excellent. It’s right on the BEACH!!! If you’re passing through, or want a little peace and quiet in this lovely Danish settlement, this is the place.

There are gardens and common areas where you can take in views of the grounds or sea, and the village’s historic sights are only a couple of minutes away on foot. My room was simple but elegant, with art and old furniture, much like the rest of the hotel. The meals were very tasty, and the staff were always around to help and made me feel welcome. The Bungalow is a great place to get away from the noise and chaos of Tamil Nadu’s urban centres. It fronts a sandy beach made for sunsets, in the quiet village of Tharangambadi with its fascinating Dutch history. They’ve done a tremendous job restoring and preserving the period villa while offering friendly, attentive service to travelers looking for some peace. One night was enough to tour the town, but I wish I’d stayed a couple more nights just to rest and enjoy the atmosphere, room, and food.

The location is superb, the rooms are good, the washrooms clean, the food decent, and the staff are nice and humble. I had a comfortable stay, despite a few minor hitches. Booking was confusing. When I called, I was told the place was full. About fifteen minutes later my father called and was able to book, with a choice of two rooms. I couldn’t understand why, especially as there was only one other guest when we arrived. The next day two other rooms were occupied, and on the third day we were the only guests. The high cots need step stools in every room. Ours didn’t have one, but they brought one from another room when I asked. Later, someone asked us to return it because it was needed for the next day’s guests, offering a small table instead. I refused and asked whether we weren’t guests too. It left a bad feeling. The staff seemed sweet and kind, but need better training and equipment to handle guests. The building could use some maintenance. For its age, the upkeep is decent, even good, but there were gaps where the woodwork met the walls and roof. Rainwater seeped in, and insects and ants got into the room. These are just suggestions for improvement, not meant as complaints.