In my article, "Bed, Bath, and Beyond: First Hand Experience of My Hotel & Homestay Stay," I delve into the diverse world of hospitality. Across various destinations, I share firsthand accounts of my hotel and homestay experiences, offering readers a comprehensive view of what to expect. From cozy corners to luxurious lodgings, I scrutinize each stay on multiple parameters, including comfort, cleanliness, service quality, location, and value for money. This travelogue not only unveils hidden gems but also serves as a cautionary guide. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a novice explorer, my detailed evaluations will help you make informed decisions and elevate your future travel experiences.
18
Sep 23
Bed, Bath, & Beyond:
First Hand Experience of My Hotel & Homestay Stay
Address: Patong, Phuket, Thailand
Stay Period: 29th September to 19th October'23
Patong, Phuket, Thailand
29th September to 19th October'23
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Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Booking.com App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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20
INR 13997
INR 699
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Overall Experience = 4.4/5
-- Heart of Patong.
-- Near bangla Road but very quiet.
--Smiling and helpful staff.
--Owner is very friendly and helpful
--some rooms do not have balcony and view missing.
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Address: Patong, Phuket, Thailand
Stay Period: 7th September to 29th September'23
Patong, Phuket, Thailand
7th September to 29th September'23
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Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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22
INR 15730
INR 715
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Overall Experience = 4.4/5
-- Heart of Patong.
-- Near massage centers and restaurants.
--Smiling and helpful staff.
--Street view rooms are airy and have natural light providing a positive view.
--Rent 2 wheelers making it convenient.
--No breakfast option.
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Address: Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Thailand
Stay Period: 30th August to 6th September'23
Nonthaburi, Bangkok, Thailand
30th August to 6th September'23
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Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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7
INR 6230
INR 890
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Overall Experience = 4.4/5
-- Tranquil and private retreat.
-- 3 Kilometers from the nearest MRT station.
--Variety of outstanding cafes, massage parlors, and dining establishments are conveniently located nearby.
-- A bit far from the central bangkok.
-- Communication issue with caretakers.
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Address: Hatton, Sri Lanka
Stay Period: 27th July to 28th July'23
Hatton, Sri Lanka
27th July to 28th July'23
Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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1
INR 747
INR 747
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Overall Experience = 0/5
-- None
-- I had reserved a room for one night at Niwasa Homestay in Hatton. Unfortunately, upon my arrival, the room wasn't ready, but they managed to prepare it quickly. However, my disappointment grew when I entered the room. The bedsheet appeared to be dirty, as if it hadn't been changed, and the room had a terrible smell of seepage and smoke. The conditions were so unpleasant that I couldn't stay for more than 15 minutes. I decided to check out and immediately catch a train to Colombo. In my opinion, Niwasa Homestay is not recommended at all. After reading reviews and comparing the property with photos, it seems that it may have been good at some point, but it currently lacks proper maintenance and is in a deteriorated condition.
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Address: Maskeliya, Sri Lanka
Stay Period: 20th July to 27th July'23
Image clicked by Aman on 25th July'23. For more such images Click Here
Pic Clicked from Narra Homestay on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Maskeliya, Sri Lanka
20th July to 27th July'23
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Weak ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
No ||
No ||
B/F Only ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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7
INR 2660
INR 380
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Overall Experience = 4.8/5
-- Positioned along the main road between Maskeliya and Adam's Peak
-- Situated amidst the lush tea plantation gardens
-- Exceptional caretaker at Narra Homestay.
-- The breakfasts prepared by the caretaker at Narra Homestay were a delightful surprise each day.
-- Value for money.
-- Issues with WiFi.
-- Steps down climb from road to reach homestay.
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Address: Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka
Stay Period: 17th July to 20th July'23
Image clicked by Aman on 18th July'23. For more such images Click Here
Pic Clicked from White House Adam's Peak on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Adam's Peak, Sri Lanka
17th July to 20th July'23
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Weak ||
Yes ||
No ||
No ||
Yes ||
No ||
B/F Only ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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3
INR 1992
INR 664
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Overall Experience = 4.8/5
-- Proximity to Adam's Peak
-- Breathtaking views
-- walking distance of several captivating waterfalls
-- The staff at White House Adams Peak was incredibly helpful in providing guidance about local sightseeing and bus schedules.
-- The owner was rude to his staff, I found that a bit awkward.
-- Steep down climb from road to reach hotel.
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Address: Ella, Sri Lanka
Stay Period: 15th July to 17th July'23
Image clicked by Aman on 16th July'23. For more such images Click Here
Pic Clicked from Ella View Point on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Ella, Sri Lanka
12th July to 15th July'23
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Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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2
INR 2010
INR 1005
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Overall Experience = 5/5
-- Offers tranquility
-- Breathtaking views
-- Delectable food
-- Warm and welcoming hosts
-- A deep sense of wonder washes over you, akin to the feeling of dwelling within a cave in the wild
-- A few steps that have to be climbed down to reach the room.
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Address: Kandy, Sri Lanka
Stay Period: 12th July to 15th July'23
Kandy, Sri Lanka
12th July to 15th July'23
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Weak ||
Yes ||
No ||
No ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
B/F Only ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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3
INR 3735
INR 1245
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Overall Experience = 2.8/5
-- Centrally located in Kandy.
-- Significant issues with seepage and bugs in the room.
-- The property is situated a bit off the road and uphill, which could be challenging when transporting luggage.
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Address: Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Stay Period: 8th July to 12th July'23
Image clicked by Aman on 9th July'23. For more such images Click Here
The Kanit Sigiriya Clicked on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
8th July to 12th July'23
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Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
No ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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4
INR 2500
INR 625
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Overall Experience = 5/5
-- best hotel I encountered during my 30-day vacation in Sri Lanka.
-- The service quality at Kanit Sigiriya is truly exceptional.
-- Competitively priced
-- The diverse menu offered a wide variety of cuisines to cater to different tastes.
--Strategically positioned in a central location, offering convenience for exploring nearby attractions like Sigiriya Rock, Dambulla Caves, and Pollonaruwa.
-- None that I can think of.
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Address: Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Stay Period: 6th July to 8th July'23
Image clicked by Aman on 6th July'23. For more such images Click Here
Mother House Clicked on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
6th July to 8th July'23
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Weak ||
Yes ||
No ||
No ||
No ||
No ||
No ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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2
INR 830
INR 415
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Overall Experience = 3.2/5
-- The owner was kind and helpful enough to offer me a ride to the bus stand for my onward journey to Sigiriya.
-- Breakfast not served even though was part of booking
-- Non-availability of water even paid not available
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Address: Negombo, Sri Lanka
Stay Period: 1st July to 6th July'23
Image clicked by Aman on 2nd July'23. For more such images Click Here
Bivora Villa Clicked on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Negombo, Sri Lanka
1st July to 6th July'23
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Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
B/F Only ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done on Agoda App.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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5
INR 5400
INR 1080
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Overall Experience = 4.4/5
-- Excellent value for money
-- Convenience of being close to the Colombo International Airport
-- Primarily used it as a transit hotel
-- Reasonably Priced
-- Responsive and helpful host
-- A bit far from main road
-- Attached private washroom converted from balcony a bit odd to use in one of the rooms [Rest rooms were fine]
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Address: Leh, Ladakh
Stay Period: 9th to 12th June'23
Image clicked by Aman on 11th June'23. For more such images Click Here
Pic from 16 Arahat Guest House Clicked on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Leh, Ladakh
9th to 12th June'23
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Yes ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
Yes ||
No ||
Yes ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done directly at property
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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3
INR 4500
INR 1500
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Overall Experience = 3.8/5
-- Excellent value for money
-- Convenience of being close to the central market
-- Parking on premise
-- Reasonably Priced
-- A picturesque view of the snow-clad mountains, enhancing the overall experience
-- Service quality was somewhat inconsistent, with different guests receiving varying levels of attention and service
-- Single person was responsible for both cooking and serving all guests, which occasionally led to extended waiting times for meals to be served.
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Address: Banjar, Himachal Pradesh
Stay Period: 16th to 30th May'23
Image clicked by Aman on 24th May'23. For more such images Click Here
Foggy Forest Clicked on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Banjar, Himachal Pradesh
16th to 30th May'23
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No ||
On the Road ||
Yes ||
No ||
No ||
No ||
Yes ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booking done from booking.com app
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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14
INR 11388
INR 814
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Overall Experience = 2.6/5
-- Delicious home cooked food
-- Fresh spring water
-- Surroundings are rich with attractions such as temples, Chenni Kothi, and more, making it an ideal base for exploration
-- Big black spiders in the room
-- Too much noise and commotion outside room by owner
-- Steps leading down were not properly constructed or maintained
-- Lack of maintenance of the property
-- Fake reviews on google for the property added by own family members
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Address: Sissu, Himachal Pradesh
Stay Period: 14th May'23 to 16th May'23
Image clicked by Aman on 15th May'23. For more such images Click Here
Grease Moto Club Clicked on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Sissu, Himachal Pradesh
14th May'23 to 16th May'23
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No ||
Yes ||
Yes ||
No ||
No ||
No ||
Yes ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booked directly by contacting owner.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost (Dorm):
Avg. Night Cost (Dorm):
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2
INR 1400
INR 700
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Overall Experience = 4.2/5
-- Immerse in the majestic beauty of the mountains
-- Leisurely strolls in the vicinity
-- Paradise for photographers
-- Can hear the peace here
-- Helpful and approachable owner
-- Only Vegetarian food served here.
-- Private rooms are expensive as compared to nearby hotels
-- Mobile signal can be an issue sometimes
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Address: Sarsai Village, Himachal Pradesh
Stay Period: 7th April'23 to 14th May'23
Image clicked by Aman on 9th April'23. For more such images Click Here
Danny's Homestay Clicked on Xiaomi 12 Pro
Sarsai Village, Himachal Pradesh
7th April'23 to 14th May'23
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No ||
On the Road ||
Yes ||
No ||
Yes ||
No ||
Yes ||
No
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Pricing is when I booked & stayed, may vary with time and situation. Booked directly by contacting owner.
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Total Nights:
Total Stay Cost:
Avg. Night Cost:
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38
INR 31,666
INR 833
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Overall Experience = 4.6/5
-- Close proximity to the forest and numerous hikes
-- Delectable home-cooked meals
-- The welcoming local community
-- The soothing sounds of birdsong
-- The profound sense of serenity
-- The captivating views from both the balcony and the room's glass windows
-- Wonderful & Knowledgable Hosts
-- The car on the road is a bit far which may be a concern but the place safe and secure.
-- The absence of wifi
-- The mattress quality.
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Author
Aman
Full time traveler and blogger. Love hikes and treks. Still a beginner trying to explore as much as possible.
