Le Grace Mansion

While not in the historic centre, the location is okay for the main MGR bus station (15-20 minutes walk) and although the reception staff seemed unaware of it as they advised ne to walk all the way beach to MGR and take a bus from there to the Arappalayam bus stand, they're also only 5 minutes walk away from a stop that goes there (bus 77BA) and buses to the city centre. There's also some great food in that area. I do wish I'd picked a more central location but that's my fault not the hotel's. Wifi worked fairly well in my room (as long as I was in the corner closest to the stairwell, as the router was downstairs). Drinking water refills are available in reception. Despite the condition of the room, I slept remarkably well as the area is quiet and the window shutters block out the light completely.

The price for a walk-in was significantly more than the Booking price (even without any of the amenities in the app's listing such as aircon) so I booked on the app, but struggled to get what was advertised. Although listed as Apartments on the app, the rooms are just rooms, and very simple ones at that. Also, the booking required my card details and the email confirmed the hotel would charge my card, but in reality they only accept cash on arrival (it felt weird at the time, and time will tell if a random charge appears on my card later... but I don't think it will). The first room I was shown had sheets which were white once but were now *filthy* - the receptionist (owner?) insisted they were clean but from the dark patches of ground-in dirt & hair on the sheets it was plain to see that the bed had been slept in; I had to push far more than was comfortable to be shown a different room. The nexr one I was given had clean sheets, so I accepted it. There was no TV as listed either, but I didn't care about that really. The room & bathroom was not filthy - surface dirt & dust was wiped away and there was no trash in the room - but it was very deeply grimy from many years of just being given a quick wipe rather than an actual clean or maintenance. The mattress was incredibly hard. Although I'd initially enquired about a room with no AC, (for economy) the room I actually booked online was supposed to have AC; the unit was there but there was no control for it - when I asked for one I was told there wasn't one, and the owner (?) stood on a stool and tinkered with the unit's wires to turn it on, but on my return to the room later I tried to do it myself and could not.. so no aircon for me.

Its a basic low budget hotels, and great value for money. The staff are helpful, friendly, the single room i had was clean, presentable. It's close to a lovely park, well suited for walking, and near the MGR bus stand and Meenakshi Mission hospital.

For the price of 600+ Rupees per night, I didn't have high expectations so I was pleased that things worked, especially the hot water heater and the fan.

It was fairly ok for one night. Quiet location.

It is a good distance from the centre, so unless you have a reason to be in that area, it's a little bit out of the way. Room was very small, and cleanliness could be better.