I booked this hotel through hostelworld, and paid a 10% deposit on my card. When I arrived, they appeared not to have this reservation. I was very tired after an overnight flight or I would have left then. I really wish I had done.

From checking in to leaving, the staff tried everything possible to scam money out of me, despite paying way over the odds for a totally crap room.

I handed a few items of laundry to the staff. There are notices everywhere saying it is 100 rupee fine for doing laundry in your room. If your still keen to stay there, just do it in your room. I was quoted 15 rupees. A few hours later it came back still damp and the guy argued that it was 140 rupees, which didn't make sense. While I was prepared to let that go, he then tried to charge me 500 rupees. He demanded immediate payment. I only had a 500 rupee note having recently arrived. He said he would bring the 360 rupee change back tome. Of course, he did not. I kept asking but did not get it. I spoke to the manager, but he was also in this scam. Eventually, about three hours later, I kicked off in reception in front of a group of potential guests and got my change straightaway.

Later, I was going up the lift from reception to my third floor room. A staff member got in with me. I closed the door and pushed the button for floor 3. There, she got out and held the door open for me. She then tried to demand 100 rupees for 'lift operation'. She followed me around for ages trying to getme to pay. I don't see opening the door as lift operation.

At check out, the bill I was presented with seemed way too high - over 2000 rupees. I protested and demanded to see a written list of charges. Guess what - the bill was suddenly 1000 rupees less. I insisted they found the receipt for the 1000 rupees I paid deposit on check in - which the cheating staff had also conveniently forgotten about - and my final bill was just over 500 rupees (1500 in total with the deposit).

If I had not fought constantly for fair charges and change, I would have been ripped off by thousands of rupees. EVERY staff member is out ot scam you as much as possible. I assume most tourists will just pay any bill presented to them without question, tip generously for services not provided and don't expect change. The staff are so dishonest.

The room was overpriced. The shower did not work and I had only a cold water bucket and jug - this would have been fine had I been paying 100 rupees a night but for 750 rupees a night you expect better. The room was dark with no window and the bedding was filthy and covered in holes. I slept in my sleepsheet rather than the bedding.

I strongly advise that single women DON'T go there. I got the feeling that I was subjected to the dishonest treatment I got because I have blond hair and they assumed therefore I had only cotton wool between my ears. It might be okay for couples and groups.

I have never been so disappointed and disgusted at a hotel I have stayed at.
We arrived at 12.30 am to be virtually ignored by to reception manager. He pushed a few forms at me to fill out and then we were taken to the room. And a shabby little affair it was, too. Peeling paint, heavily stained cushions on the seat and bedhead, and dirty bathroom with pubic hair on the floor . When we drew the blanket back on the bed, the sheet was greasy and dirty. We had to ask for the sheet to be changed and the blanket to be removed.
This is an absmal standard of service and hygiene for the amount of money we paid.

Tripadvisor recommends Raj Residency in Chennai (number 13 out of 53) and this helped me make a decision to go there. It was a terrible experience. Certainly, the hotel is very conveniently located. That's all. Our "de luxe" room was dirty, sheets had been used and not washed (dirty, dirty, dirty), terrible bathroom (a dark brown liquid from the tap) with no towels... I had booked the room for two nights. On arrival, I was asked to pay the first night and so I did. I asked for fresh sheets and they were changed. I asked for towels and never arrived. After one hour there, we decided not to stay. It was too unpleasant. Opposite to Raj Residency we found New Victoria Hotel. Same price and much better quality.
How can Tripadvisor have this place ranking 13 out of 53 in Chennai? A mistery.

We travel six months out of the year so have stayed at many hotels, guest houses, ashrams, and the like, but I have never stayed at a hotel that was this bad for the money they charge. Pay $5.00, maybe even $10.00 if you want a place to rest your head but for $25.00-$40.00 bucs a night, the going rate, I was more than disappointed.

The lobby is dirty, cold and unwelcoming. The staff complacent, unfriendly, and very unhelpful. Our room looked as though it had not been cleaned in years. There were bugs and cobwebs in the bathroom, our bedsheets had holes in them, nothing was clean and I would not walk on the carpet without my shoes on.

We do business while traveling so internet access is something we are always looking for. They claim to have internet access in their lobby but this is not true. When I asked them about it they looked at each other puzzled, and told me they didn't have it.

The next day we walked around and found 4 other hotels, one right next door that was clean, cheery, comfortable, had professional people working at reception and internet access (you buy a prepaid card) all for just 750 rups, or about $18.00.

I have never written a review so hope this gets posted, as the information for this site needs to be revised to more accurately depict the dump this place is.

Deb Bobier
YogaBound.com