The Gateway Hotel, Madurai

For many years the former Taj hotel in Madurai has been the "only" place to stay. It has recently rebranded
itself as a Gateway Hotel, but is still feeding off its old Taj image. Set on its own hill surrounded by scrubby
forest with a view of the temple in the distance it is an oasis of peace in the frantic congestion of the city.

The accomodation is in blocks spread across the grounds, and there can be quite a way to walk to get to the pool, tennis court, fitness centre and restaurant.The basic rooms are spacious with good bathrooms, and everything has a faded elegance. Our block was called the "Peacock's Nest", and we could see why as soon as we arrived. A male peacock was sitting on the roof outside our window and when we called put on a display of tail feathers for us. We had no peanuts so he soon went away, but there are wild peacocks all around the grounds.

On a return visit we were given the best rooms and could have hidden a large family in the bathroom alone. A balcony made a shady place to sit and relax, and the main toom was well-equipped with an enormous bed, huge flat-screen television, table, sofa, chairs, tea-making facilities (a bit mean on the supplies, but unusual in Indian hotels) and loads of room for suitcases etc. I couldn't fault this room.

The restaurant was adequate, the waiters efficient and the service good. The buffet was looking depleted after the predations of a party of continental tourists at lunch time, but the a la carte menu is extensive and
although my vegetables were semi-raw and cold, the fish was excellent. Breakfast from the buffet was once again showing gaps, but the bakery products were good, the eggs generous and the fruit fresh.
It is obvious that this hotel has seen better days. When we visited heavy rain had made the walk round the
grounds impassable, but I took so long to pick out the possible route from the poorly-signposted paths that the time passed before I was told that the path was closed.
The staff uniforms in the restaurant were less than sparkling and the furniture and fittings worn, but  theservice was good. The pool too was showing its age, although clean and well-serviced.The number of good hotels in Madurai is limited, and this is the hotel of choice for a relaxing place to recoup after an exciting temple experience, the view from the restaurant terrace being worth the visit alone!

Comments

[Madurai hotel]

Me & my friends went to the buffet a week before. The menu is great. especially the fish and chicken kabab are awesome.