Sandras Backpackers

James and his wife Sandra are very interesting folk who have travelled in India extensively. They are tuned in to what a backpacker needs and appreciates

When we got there, the room was freezing. It was 9 degrees C outside and the window was open and the heat off. The mattress was so old, I could feel springs in my ribs. Most of the floor grout was missing in the tiny bathroom with coffin shower, and the fan never came on, it just made a sort of click-click noise. The toilet didn't even like to swallow liquid. There was all kinds of crud on the floor so we dared not go barefoot. We were not provided towels and were told they were in the dryer and would come to the room in 20 minutes. Over an hour later we phoned again for towels, and he said he was in the supermarket. Another hour later when we came home from dinner, they were piled up outside our door on the floor. And they'd been line dried, not in the dryer! Security was lax, with the outside door constantly open. The linens were fairly new and pretty. The promised seating area turned out to be a small window seat. The breakfast was self-serve and generous, though the seating in the kitchen was crowded. We went to a hotel for our second night even though we'd already paid for this place. We couldn't do it if we didn't have to.

An older-style backpackers, for the budget-conscious. Great service - James, the owner and host, was very friendly and helpful. Helped us find a taxi, VERY late at night, for the following morning, and helped us with other transport issues. A mine of info about the town and region, & in general great to talk to. Very cheap washing and drying service in-house. Good stuff!