Woodlands Inn

The hygiene was awful. When we arrived, the sheets had stains from semen and urine. After we asked for clean sheets, the cleaning staff came into the room without knocking and acted aggressively and unprofessionally. The place was also infested with cockroaches, as the photos show. We reported it, but staff only sprayed insecticide in the room, so we had to stay outside at night for about 30 minutes because the spray is harmful to people. The next morning I woke with badly irritated red eyes and had to go to a pharmacy for treatment. We had booked four nights as a couple, but left on the second day because the conditions were unacceptable. From the start, the owner made us uncomfortable. He asked where I was from, and when I said Argentina, kept pushing an 80 baht breakfast. We politely declined and said it was easy to find better and cheaper options in the city. He replied, “What, can’t an Argentinian afford an 80 baht breakfast?” He continued insisting for hours, even before check-in, and also tried to charge 200 baht for early check-in. After we contacted Agoda, we were told the property said the cockroach problem had been fixed and we’d been moved to another room. Neither is true. The infestation was never resolved, and we were never moved. The staff were aggressive, and the owner’s behavior toward us was disrespectful and discriminatory toward Western guests. Strongly not recommended.

The food is the reason people call Woodlands Indian Restaurant a “secret spot.” It’s tucked under the Woodlands Inn hotel, and I like that it never gets too crowded, so I can usually get a seat without waiting. The setting is unpretentious, with minimal decor and an old shop, and the Nepali staff communicate in English. It’s not one of the big trendy places, but the South Indian food is authentic, generally rich and flavorful, and very affordable. You can count on classics like Idli and a satisfying Fish Curry. A few dishes stood out. The Palak Paneer is creamy and pleasant without much heat, and its green color is lighter than in other versions. Dhal Fry is soupy despite the name, with very tender lentils and a mild flavor. It comes piping hot and is comforting enough to sip. The Fish Curry is a hybrid style leaning a little toward the Muslim preparation found in Southern India, often with a thin layer of oil on top. The Lassi is freshly blended rather than bottled and only lightly sweetened. Indian Tea comes already sweetened with just enough sugar, with a subtle touch of aged ginger.

I stayed at the hotel for a week, and I wouldn’t recommend it. The smell of cigar smoke was strong in both the lift and the rooms, and there were other bad smells too. The blankets were old, dirty, and very itchy. Lighting was dim, with not enough light and none in the main areas of the room. Some staff were helpful, while others had very unwelcoming faces and behavior. The restaurant is another story: 4/5 stars, the food is really yummy and authentic, and I highly recommend it. The hotel gets 2/5 from me.

For lunch through GRAB, I ordered a chicken thali, omelette, Chicken tandoori, and mutton gravi. Chicken 65 came with the meal and was tasty. The tandoori was okay, but the lunch and the mutton and chicken gravies were below average. Price: 4 stars. Quantity: 4 stars. Taste: minus 5 stars. Overall: 3 stars.