Guest House Recommendations - Chennai Help!

camelgirl

Yes, yes, thank you, it is the Savera!! Both Nick and I seem to have changed it's name! And yes, it was probably triple the price of the New Woodlands, where we stayed at the end of our trip! Not luxury, more like a Holiday Inn in the U.S. (which can be any kind of ordinary motel to nice hotel). Don't know recent prices, we stayed at both a few years ago.

Prof. Lionel Aranha

I normally stay at THE STUMPER'S INN; that's behind Prashanth Nethralaya(Don't know whether that is close to your yoga class)
It's run by an efficient, understanding Manager Mr. Sriram. My wife too has stayed there all on her own. Nice rooms, clean bathroom. Nice new Ac/s... Love the place.....

haritha

why not try the ywca international guest huse in chennai

Nick-H

Address please Prof?

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Sama

thank you all for the additional suggestions, but I have reservations at Hotel Shelter AND Woodlands (in case one of them goes out of business like Nivas Guest House did!).

I hope this post helps others in finding a good place in Chennai. Actually, from what Nick told me, I can't wait to stay at Hotel (Gimme) Shelter, and it's only 1.5km from my school.

69 more days.....

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Prof. Lionel Aranha

Hi,

Travelling now. Will send it on Monday.

machadinha

I don't know what precise arrangement you made but maybe this should tell us something about how happy hotel owners are with us and why they don't always take reservations very seriously

There was some thread not long ago by someone dealing with a travel agent and turning his whole itinerary upside down at the last moment. If this is annoying to people being asked for and offering advice, imagine how it is for the travel agent. See also this sticky thread: How to get the best out of your email quote from an Indian travel agency.

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Sama

Nivas Guest House was one of the recommended places to stay for KYM students (i.e., recommended by the Krishnamacharyga Yoga Mandiram). I received an email from Nivas last week stating that due to the father's illness and other problems, they were closing the guest house. They offered to find me another accomodation, but I did not hear back from them (nor was I really expecting to), so I made my own arrangements. The Woodlands is another venue recommended by KYM. However, Nivas and Woodlands aren't that close to KYM (according to Nick-H), so I opted for Hotel (Gimme) Shelter, which is only 1.5km, a distance I can easily walk in 15 minutes (that's Chicago time, I don't know about India time!).

machadinha, this is the email I received from Hotel Shelter regarding my reservation:

"Thanks for your mail,
We are glad to confirm your booking with a special rate promised.
We shall arrange for Pick up from Airport on September 3rd. Our Driver will wait with placard holding your name.
Yes Our Hotel is 1.5 km from KYM.
And we accept all credit cards.

Looking forward to receiving you .
Thanks & regards

P.Shankar
General Manager"

so? Serious or not?

machadinha

Fair enuff Yogagal. I just meant it as a gentle reminder that esp. at the lower bracket anywhere in the world people shouldn't be too surprised if their hotel reservation goes up in smoke, no matter what guarantees you may have provided. I know what I would do as a hotel owner given the choice between a rented room right here and now or some mysterious email or telephone contact who may or may not show up at some indicated time. Can be a hassle arriving in the middle of the night in village X though, little to do about it really.

Sama

actually, I freaked for about 5 minutes after reading their email, but then I thought, hey, things could be worse -- they could have not emailed me at all and I would have showed up around midnight or so facing a big "CLOSED" sign, or they could have emailed me the day before I was to leave.

As it turned out, I posted my HELP ME! post and received great help and advice here and in PMs from IMers. All this just upholds my belief that all things happen for a reason! I am now in a place that is much closer to the school and from what Nick-H says, in the "temple district", which is great!

shanti!

68 more days.....

p.s. I want an elephant ride...

machadinha

Provided in most wildparks, it's good fun, if not the most silent way to approach those elusive tigers but then neither is a jeep I suppose.

btw I wonder now if you and I are not getting confused about your closed down Nivas + the other two places you seem to be keeping on hold but I guess the gist is clear enough all the same. Cheers, I can imagine your worries with intending to stay there for an extended time, hope (and trust) it will all work out fine.

Frank Howland

Hi,

I have few guest houses and good known contacts in chennai for beach side weekly/monthly guest houses. Its all depneds on how much you like to spend and the facilities u need. Write to me if you want to know more.

-Frank