Hotel Gayatri Residency

It happens frequently: a hotel with a very attractive name turns out to be a hell-hole, its jazzy-looking brochure mere whitewashing. Fortunately, in the case of Hotel Gaayatri Resiidency, what you see is what you get.

This fresh hotel is the new one on the block, sandwiched between old-timers like Anmol Continental and Hotel Harsha on the Public Garden Road, and looks it, too; the 4-story building in which it is housed is in mint condition, inside out. The stairways and corridors are spotless, as are the uniforms on the limited reception staff.

The same can be said of the 36 rooms (with attached bathrooms) that the hotel, spread over 3 floors, offers - they are very clean and offer the basics, namely a bed with sanitized bedding, simple furniture, air-conditioning, a large cupboard and a TV with satellite connection.

The rooms are classified as Deluxe, Executive and Executive Deluxe, and may offer more facilities depending on which type you choose. The charges for them will fall anywhere between Rs. 850 and Rs. 1,800 plus taxes.

The price, of course, includes the perks - round-the-clock room service, and a bird's eye-view of Nampally from the corridors. The windows here yawn over the area; on a sunlit day, you can spot the distinct blue peaks that are the roofs of the Nampally Railway Station.

The landscape looks even more attractive from the top floor, which houses a semi open-air canteen (serving tasty vegetarian food) divided into cubicles fitted with chairs and tables; guests are more than welcome to idle the hours away here.

And you want to. The breeze is inviting, and around sunset, you battle with the urge to linger over your cup of tea and prolong your peace. Certainly, you get your money's worth at Hotel Gaayatri Resiidency.