KTDC Mascot Hotel

Lunch with family and friends at Mascot Hotel was pleasant, and the heritage property has a classic feel that suits a relaxed meal. The main course was delicious, with a good selection of authentic, well-prepared dishes, so it worked well for a hearty group lunch. The desserts were disappointing by comparison, tasting less premium and authentic than the rest of the meal. Service could've been more attentive and proactive to live up to the hotel's reputation. Even with those issues, the quality of the main dishes makes it worth a visit.

We went to KTDC Mascot Hotel for dinner with family and a close friend to celebrate my son's birthday. The whole evening was memorable, and we'll definitely visit again. Everyone was satisfied with the meal, service, setting, and overall experience. We were shown to Swathi Restaurant, which had a palace-like atmosphere and was clean, well kept, and neatly arranged. The staff combined two tables for our group, making the seating comfortable. There didn't seem to be quite enough staff, but the team were polite and very cooperative. They first suggested the buffet because à la carte might take a while. Once we said we didn't mind waiting, they handled our order patiently and professionally. The washrooms were spotless and well maintained. Every dish we ordered exceeded expectations. Hot & Sour Soup (Veg & Chicken) was soothing and flavourful, with a great balance of pepper and salt. Chilly Chicken and Dragon Chicken were both fresh and tasty; the cashews in the Dragon Chicken showed the quality and freshness of the ingredients. The King Fish Nadan Curry was a highlight, with rich, authentic gravy and very fresh, well-cooked fish. The paneer in the Paneer Butter Masala was soft and fresh, and easy to cut. Navarathna Kurma was the best dish of the day, full of flavour and perfectly balanced. Appam, porotta, naan, and chapathi were all very good, though the bread prices were a little high. The Soda Lime with salt and sugar was the best I've ever had, without exaggeration. We also ordered Smirnoff, but only plain vodka was available, not the flavoured kind. Apart from the bread, which was somewhat expensive, the other dishes were reasonably priced for their quality and standard. Compared with many regular restaurants, it was a much better deal. I'd recommend this place for families, special occasions, and anyone looking for good dining in Trivandrum.

The buffet lunch had an excellent spread and menu, and everything was very tasty. From the entrance to the exit, the ambience, personal attention and care, cleanliness, and hygiene were outstanding. I didn't stay at the hotel, so I can't comment on the rooms.

The rooms are spacious with a lovely view, and the bathroom facilities were quite good. Still, the heritage hotel looks like it needs better maintenance. The food was the biggest disappointment: it was average, overpriced, and didn't feel worth the money, with extra charges for almost everything. The pleasant accommodation couldn't make up for how much the dining experience lowered my impression of the stay.