Royal Grand Days

I stayed here for two days. The place is very clean. There is no restaurant attached to the building but the staff will bring food. The staff went out of their way to help me with travel arrangements.

pros: - good price - clean contras: - No fixed checkout time will cause additional day to pay if you arrive today at 7 a.m. and you leave tomorrow at 8 a.m., you have to pay a second day/night. This means, this one hour costs you the same as a complete day. There was no hint for this, when we check in TAKE CARE

We three British guys had booked a triple room ahead from Kochin, flown over to Chennai, found no airport internet or Vodafone data or minutes (long saga) to order an Uber so forked out 480 for a prepaid taxi (no seat belts as usual) to HRG. Public transport was too complicated with 6kg backpacks. We arrived at 13:20. The hotel appealed to us as a 24hr hotel, so we could book half a day as we were leaving for the airport at midnight. It also promised A/C, LED TV, fan and wifi. The receptionists took our details on a big form and all our passports for copying. Address in London was included in the form. We were shown the end of first floor corridor corner room, quite big, double aspect, double bed and single bed. Plenty of surfaces to store stuff on, although melamine/chipboard wardrobe had seen better days. A/C unit, TV, fan and phone all there. The room's electricity was turned on by the key fob thingy. The beds were presented with sheets, standard soap bars and a large towel and flannel. Two bottles of water and three glasses were on a surface. We did not try that water...just in case. The wetroom was quite big and well equipped with modern fittings and surfaces to store stuff. Big mirror over sink with an LED spot above. There was no mosquito grill on the slatted window or extractor fan hole above. We did see a few mosquitoes during our stay and burnt a coil in the window as a result. There was no loo paper, I asked for some but none was delivered. The spray thing was used as we were used to going local anyway. We tried the TV late in the evening and we were not particularly looking for English speaking channels so I do not know if they were there. There was a clock which was stuck at 10:20 as battery flat. I asked for another battery to be installed but nothing happened. Wifi signal was good and reliable. In the hallway was an A4 sign saying 'No alcohol'. This was not in Bkg.c but mentioned in TA reviews. It may have been because there was a nearby Tazmac liquor parlour and they did not want drink people in the hotel, fair enough. Overnight the road noises were audible although I slept well. My friend was awoken by loud noises in the early morning as if building works (in the cool of the day, not controllable by the management) next door. The usual loud speaking in the corridor in the morning was heard. They are mostly early birds compared to us tourists having a lie in on holiday. I had ear plugs in just in case so was oblivious! The beds were firm and comfortable with clean sheets. We were awoken by a phone call 08:10 from reception. Still asleep I was asked to confirm the spelling of our address on London! Their accents confusing the conversation. I went back to sleep, overshooting my 08:30 alarm. At 08:50 there was a knock on door, I stumbled out of bed, opened the door and the receptionist asked something in his accent. 'I'll be down in ten minutes'. I got dressed reluctantly and went to reception where the boss wanted my landline telephone number in U.K.! Quite annoying! Apparently they have to submit guest details every day to the police. I asked if we could stay till 01:00 and he said the room was occupied and we needed to check out at 13:00 (24hrs after we arrived according to him- but 13:20-30 according to my photo diary!). Frosted windows can't be opened but noisy outside anyway in daytime. As we had no were hoping to stay till 01:00 we wanted to book that time. We had little money so there taking credit cards was useful. We searched around for another 12hour stay but could not guarantee wifi, card payments, general conditions etc.. I explained this to the main receptionist and he said an extra 700 till 01:00. Then the other receptionist intervened (realising our vulnerability?) and it went up to 2000! I went to discuss with my friend and he scolded me for saying we were out of cash, I.e. desperate so able to be ripped off easier, oh well. We reluctantly agreed to 2000 extra and made our way out to lunch at Little Italy buffet for 500, visit St Thomas' tomb, the fishermen's beach, CitiCentre shopping mall, and an evening meal at Malgudi restaurant in Hotel Savera. After the meal and an uber taxi back at 23:20 we found the gates locked, all lights off and no one seemingly in reception. They knew we were leaving at 1 and it was supposed to be 24hr reception! Suddenly missing our 04:10 flight was a possible and grim prospect! Panicking I threw small stones at the reception window as my friends explored another side gate which was also locked. Eventually a light turned on in reception and we were let in. Another cab pulled up and people made their way in. They may give full marks for 24hr opening not realising our frustrations ten minutes earlier. Admittedly the whole city is recovering from Cyclone Varda on the 16/12/16 just over a week before. Big tree branches and cables strewn everywhere (mostly pushed to the side) and crushed cars, motorbikes and the tuktuks occasionally. It was quite weird coming back after nearly a month. Many no doubt were severely affected (no ice cream for a week), including tourists. They also may be more desperate than ever for business and tips to repair the damage. We are still relatively privileged in the west.

A great place where the owner was so incredibly helpful. A basic, but clean and good sized room with attached bathroom. Very well appointed for the No. 5 bus to take you up to the Cricket stadium and the beach. The owner and his staff were very helpful. Relatively quiet and a good fan. Meeting people like this makes your holiday. Thank you. Easy walk to a couple of nice places to eat. Like another recent visitor we had problems with demonetisation, but the owner helped us out, and also found a good driver for me and my young son for the day whilst Dad did more Test Match Cricket :).

We booked this place online and weren't sure what to expect. We had the misfortune of arriving right after the demonetization and cash was impossible to find. The gentleman in charge was very helpful in helping to find a place to change money. He also arranged a car to drive us one way to Mahaballipuram at a very reasonable cost. The room was small but clean. It was a budget place so don't expect anything luxurious. But it was fine for our needs. The location was pretty good in terms of being able to find things or get transportation. There are no real tourist sights around there.