Baseraa Inn (Basheerbagh)

If your vision is compromised sans spectacles, please ensure that your pair is settled securely onto the bridge of your nose before you make your way into Baseraa Inn (taking the glass elevator to the 3rd floor of Ohri's Cuisine Court, made famous by Havmor, Ming's Court and Silver Metro), because its lobby is dimly-lit, tenebrous even.

And it is as if the management knows that it is making a poor first impression. It tries to compensate by making the reception area look charming - an undersized (albeit pretty) red, blue and white stain glass skylight embellishes the roof, light bulbs have been fixed here, there and everywhere, potted plants bedeck the clean ceramic floors, while a colorful canopy hangs overhead, and over the proceedings at the black marble-topped counter.

The disguise fails. The natural light that shines through the skylight is feeble, the artificial ochre the bulbs emit is as frail, the potted plants scream fake, while the canopy needs a wash. Gloom pervades Baseraa Inn, and is perhaps its biggest drawback, especially when this inn is compared to its counterpart on Road No. 12 Banjara Hills, which appears as shiny and buffed as a bald baby's head.

This one just induces sleep. The rooms (available in standard single, standard large, standard double twin styles) at this inn are also less sophisticated, many in desperate need of sunshine. (Cutesy windows that open out on nothingness are part of some of the rooms, rather meaninglessly).

Barring this, the rooms on offer are neat and adequately furnished. The floors are carpeted, the beds comfy, the bathrooms clean and thoughtfully cosmeticized.

Baseraa Inn also gets full marks on all other important counts. Its location is good, the staff polite in demeanor and brisk in action, the tariffs a pleasant surprise - Rs. 1,600 gets you a standard single. Plus, the staff will serve a complimentary continental breakfast in your room every morning. The food is trademark Ohri's - lip-smackin' good.

If you want more (we don't blame you), feel free to leave your confines after 12pm and wander downstairs to any of the original Ohri's four restaurants - Havmor, Silver Metro, Ming's Court, Gufaa - all equally famous for their fares. The inn also has three watering holes, packed to capacity on most weekends.

If you are not a very fussy guest, Baseraa Inn can show you a good time. Narcoleptics, however, should steer clear.