Shiva Residency

The hotel is often noted for its spacious rooms and a prominent hill view from some accommodations, offering a memorable visual experience. Its signature feature is its strategic location within the town, providing convenient access to the Arunachalam temple and the Girivalapathai, making it particularly suitable for pilgrims and families seeking proximity to religious sites. Many guests appreciate the available car parking, which adds to the convenience for those traveling by vehicle. While some guests commend the cleanliness and overall value for budget travelers, a significant number of reviews highlight serious concerns regarding staff professionalism and service quality. To ensure a smoother stay, it is advisable for guests to confirm all booking details directly with the hotel, be prepared for cash-only payments, and verify room amenities like water supply upon check-in, as these are recurring points of contention.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides several key facilities that guests frequently mention. A significant advantage for many travelers is the ample car parking space available, which is particularly beneficial for those arriving by vehicle. While some guests report the availability of free Wi-Fi, others experienced issues with connectivity, noting that the service was often disconnected or unavailable. A notable point of concern for many is the absence of intercom facilities in the rooms, requiring guests to physically go down to the reception for any requests or issues, which is seen as a major inconvenience. Furthermore, several reviews indicate a lack of basic in-room amenities such as a kettle for hot water, dental kits, or even hand wash in the bathrooms, suggesting that guests should come prepared with their own toiletries.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on room cleanliness and comfort is notably mixed, with some finding the accommodations very clean and neatly maintained, including clean washrooms. Many appreciate the spacious rooms, which are often described as worthy and suitable for families. However, a substantial number of reviews express significant dissatisfaction with the overall maintenance and hygiene of the rooms and bathrooms. Common complaints include torn bed sheets, unwashed blankets, dirty toilets, and malfunctioning bathroom fixtures like taps and geysers. Some guests reported issues with in-room amenities such as non-working televisions, flickering lights, and broken dustbins. Critically, some reviews mention unpleasant odors in rooms, with one extreme case reporting the presence of a rat, indicating serious cleanliness and pest control issues that severely impacted guest comfort and satisfaction.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel features an on-site restaurant that serves various cuisines, and there is also a tea shop attached, providing convenient dining options for guests. Feedback on the food quality is varied; some guests describe the food as acceptable, noting it was "ok" and "not bad," while others found it to be "not good." The restaurant is mentioned for offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. However, several reviews highlight issues with the restaurant staff, describing them as unresponsive and causing long waits for orders. A recurring point of contention is the breakfast service, with many guests expressing disappointment that complimentary breakfast was not provided, even when they believed it was included in their booking, leading to a perception of poor value for money in terms of dining.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's location is frequently cited as one of its primary advantages, being situated within the town and offering convenient access to the Arunachalam temple and the Girivalapathai. Many guests appreciate its central location and proximity to the main highway, making it easily accessible for travelers. However, there is conflicting information regarding its exact distance from the temple, with some reviews stating it is "very near" while others report distances of "4 km" or even "7 km," which can significantly impact travel plans for pilgrims. Additionally, some guests were misled by outdated information on maps regarding the proximity of the A2B restaurant, which has since relocated, causing confusion for those expecting it to be directly below the hotel. Despite these discrepancies, the hotel is generally considered to be in a good location for exploring the area.

Staff & Service
Feedback regarding the hotel's staff and service is overwhelmingly negative, with numerous guests reporting highly unsatisfactory experiences. Many reviews describe the staff as unprofessional, rude, and lacking in customer respect, particularly towards guests from other regions. There are widespread complaints about booking discrepancies, with guests alleging that the hotel did not honor confirmed reservations, demanded extra charges for room changes (e.g., AC to non-AC), or even cancelled bookings last minute with "useless reasons." Responsiveness to guest issues is also a major concern; reviews mention delays in addressing problems like non-functioning lights, Wi-Fi connectivity, or critical water supply issues, with staff often failing to provide timely assistance. The check-in process is also noted for being problematic, with reports of long waits and staff attempting to "cheat" guests regarding room availability and pricing.

Additional Information
Guests should be aware of specific hotel policies and operational aspects that impact their stay. The hotel operates on a 12-hour check-in/check-out cycle, and any late check-out incurs an extra full day charge, which guests should factor into their plans. A significant point of inconvenience highlighted by many is the hotel's cash-only payment policy, as it does not accept digital payments like GPay or credit cards, requiring guests to have sufficient cash on hand. Furthermore, the absence of in-room phones means guests must physically go to the reception for any needs, which is a considerable inconvenience. Some reviews also indicate that booking through third-party websites can lead to higher prices compared to direct bookings, with guests feeling that the cost was not justified for the services received.