Swathisri Residency

The hotel is right beside the temple wall, very close to the North and East Gopuram. Parking can get busy, but I could always find a spot. We paid 2500 per night for four people, which was quite affordable. The rooms were very good. Basic things like soap weren’t provided, though, and hotel water was available 24/7.

The person on the phone told me the room would cost 1500 and that I could book when I arrived, with no advance booking needed. But when I came with my family around 4 AM, he said nothing was available and asked us to wait an hour. After we’d waited, he said the rent was 2800, which was a huge shock. If he’d told me that earlier, I would have booked somewhere else. Other guests had got rooms through an arrangement with the booking person. We pointed out that we’d been quoted 1500, then when we asked for details he said 1800. He was rude and seemed focused on money, trying to get more out of pilgrims.

At check-in, we arrived with my wife and our two young daughters at 11:30 AM, half an hour before the noon check-in time. We politely asked if we could wait in reception, but the lady manager rudely told us to leave. My family, including the two little kids, had to stand on the road in the hot sun. It was distressing and completely unacceptable. I’ve never had hospitality this poor. We’d been told online guests deliberately get inferior rooms, and that a “better” one is only available if you book directly and pay extra. We’d already paid online, but they still demanded more money and didn’t change the room. The hotel is advertised as close to the temple, but the experience was extremely disappointing. Service, cleanliness, and basic courtesy were all at the lowest level. I’d never recommend it, especially for families. Avoid booking if you want to spare yourself a very unpleasant experience.

Please don’t book this hotel. It’s shown as near the temple, but the building looks closed, has no signboard, and is in a very bad state of maintenance. The room smelled bad, including the outside area, and had an old bed, no blanket, and no neatness. The staff said online bookings only get this kind of room, and that for a proper one you have to come and book directly. They charged extra on top of the online amount, and still wouldn’t change the room. The whole place is in terrible condition. Never book or recommend it.