The location is the best in Kamalapur right now (within 5km of Hampi main city) after the recent closure of nearly 90% of hotels and stays in hampi main bazaar area during g20 summit in July. So tourists please take a note not to do Google search because most of the homestays and resorts you'll find with good ratings are closed by court order. There has also been a crackdown on Hippie Island known for it's contraband availability. Seems like government is trying to make the place a religious shrine more than the earlier chill tourist destination that used to attract younger crowds. Now coming to the hotel itself, it Is in as much ruin as the historical monuments in Hampi itself and in urgent need of renovation starting from room, building and the staff included. The rooms smell of damp and are quite in need of freshening up with aging walls and building full of moss and damp. The prices are low compared to what KSTDC calls a 'premium' hotel. There's nothing premium about it. The premises are definitely a few decades old and need to be renovated end to end. There's enough greenery to attract plenty of mosquitoes and insects and there's nothing keeping these away from the rooms currently. The acs are atleast from the 1990s. The worst part is the staff who currently are there. They seem well aware of the problems facing the property and have a list of excuses ready to be replied and their attitude is lax and unprofessional and at times wildly annoying. They have no idea how to deal with customers and nothing about hospitality or providing professional service. The phone numbers don't work, one of them being a landline and the other being the manager's private cell number which we called more than atleast 100 times each with 0 response. They have a feedback and complaint register where only the good feedback is kept and the pages with bad feedback are glued in so no one can read it. We were shell shocked to see this which means they know very well that there are bad reviews coming in and they choose to ignore it. The management is super ineffective and useless. Whoever sits at the restaurant counter sits in front of a computer staring at it for infinity and takes no orders unless you shout for them and ask them to take your order. The support staff like cleaners and serving staff are overburdened as well as ill mannered no doubt in response to the useless management. The cook is actually not bad the food seems to be quite okay although almost always being extremely spicy and sometimes without salt. This could also be due to the fact that they might be overworked and understaffed with no proper training and support from higher up. When we asked the sitting manager who took our order to make our food non spicy because we can't eat it and fall sick he started laughing. It was quite traumatising and seemed like they have absolutely no idea how to be a host to visitors. All in all a horrible experience and 0/10 would...
Read moreA Mixed Experience at KSTDC Mayura Bhubaneswari, Hampi: In Need of Improvement
My stay at KSTDC Mayura Bhubaneswari in Hampi left me with mixed feelings. The hotel’s location was undoubtedly its best aspect, offering breathtaking views of the historical town’s splendors. However, the overall experience was marred by several drawbacks that need urgent attention.
The rooms were disappointing, exuding a sense of antiquity and urgently requiring refurbishment. The lack of modern amenities diminished the comfort and appeal of the accommodation, leaving a lot to be desired for a pleasant stay.
Despite the hotel’s strategic location, the shortage of staff was evident. Overburdened waiters and restaurant staff struggled to meet guests’ demands, leading to an atmosphere of tension and dissatisfaction. Their hard work was unfortunately met with criticism, further dampening the overall experience.
A significant issue was the lack of protection from insects. With all rooms opening to the outdoor gardens, guests had to contend with unwelcome critters invading their space. Throughout my stay, various insects found their way into my room, compromising comfort and hygiene. The climax of this unfortunate situation occurred on the final night when a small frog managed to hop into my room, causing an unpleasant ordeal.
Adding to the concerns were stray dogs and monkeys loitering around corridors and the open dining area. This created safety and hygiene issues, which were especially concerning for elderly guests, like my parents, who were traveling with me.
Moreover, the inconsistency in providing room service was disheartening. Despite requesting it for my elderly parents, the hotel staff outright denied the possibility. However, it became apparent that some guests received preferential treatment, casting doubt on the principles of equality and fairness in the hospitality industry.
Reflecting on my stay, it was evident that the management’s negligence contributed to these issues. Such a historically significant destination deserved a better-managed hotel, where guests could truly revel in the beauty of their surroundings without compromising on basic comforts.
In conclusion, KSTDC Mayura Bhubaneswari had its strengths, such as the incredible location, but it also had notable shortcomings that affected the overall experience. The outdated rooms, lack of adequate staff, insect infestations, and inconsistency in service raised concerns for guests seeking a comfortable and enjoyable stay. I hope the management takes these critiques constructively and implements necessary improvements to enhance the hotel’s reputation and provide guests with a more welcoming and satisfactory experience in this...
Read moreLong story short, I will not recommend this hotel. It is not the worst in any of the categories, but it is poor in almost all of them.
I stayed for 2 nights during January 2021. We selected based on Google reviews. My expectations were a mediocre hotel with basic facilities.
Location is good. It's neither too crowded nor too isolated. It is easy to reach there and easy to visit tourist places. It has huge parking space available.
Check in process is smooth. In our case the attendant kept talking to another customer, so it took a bit long.
Rooms are below average. All rooms are at the ground floor, so it gives an easy passage to insects. Our room had two lizards. Lights inside the room were too dim. Latches at the main and bathroom door were too tight. It was a bit smelly. Air conditioner did not respond to fan speed, swing etc. So one person got too much cold air and the other did not get sufficient. TV always showed 'subscription ended' message. The reception did not do anything despite requesting them thrice. The lamps used were made in china. Springs in the mattress were audible. We were always scared of monkeys playing all over the place.
Sleep quality was poor because of poor mattresses and poor AC as I mentioned above.
Bathing experience was poor. Solar heated water was at best only lukewarm. Even after wasting 3 buckets of water (in a so called eco friendly hotel), we could not get hot water. Toilet faucet is on the left side of it! Duh! (How's your imagination?)
Food quality was quite good. We never got dosa, it was never available when we asked for it. Idli, wada, fried rice, Indian vegetable dishes, noodles were good.
Restaurant service is the worst part I think. They will test your patience. First, you need to wait for getting the menu card. Then you wait for someone to take your order. Then order itself takes way longer to come. Then you wait if you want to order further. Then you wait to tell them to prepare the bill. Then, wait for it to arrive! Then wait for the card machine. Phew! It's really pathetic.
Nevertheless, if you decide (make a mistake) to stay here, don't go for any full day guide, that is a costly option. Instead, hire an auto if weather permits or a cab for a day and hire a guide at the vitthal temple. I guess that is the only place where the guide is worth. Auto costed us Rs. 1000 a day. Guide costed Rs. 300.
Do support locals by buying banana instead of packaged food or by buying sugarcane juice instead of...
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