Mysore: a hotel with some local colour?

Surfing the web for hotels in Mysore, I have come across dozens, each of which looks exactly like the other, all 1990's monoliths, exactly the type of building I see at home (and always manage to avoid). I could stay in one of those and feel like I'd never left home -- which is NOT why I am going to Mysore!

Does anyone know any old, traditional hotels in a central position? For a while, we thought the Metropole sounded great-- a touch of the Raj -- but the price quoted --2400R -- is about six times what we'd envisaged spending. So it's over to the experts at indiamike! All suggestions gratefully received! Alan.

this may be to late to help you much...but in case anyone else is looking for a hotel try the cheap and character filled Hotel Kaveri in Agrahara (150 rup p/night) the rooftop is great or Sudahma House in Diwans street which is a great old crumbling villa with rooms to rent.
enjoy mysore!

Not too late at all, Taggie; in fact, your timing couldn't have been better. Thank you for your tips, which I will act on in the next couple of days (10 days to departure!)