Kalyanam Boarding and Lodging,Chidambaram. Review on Kalyanam Boarding and Lodging, Chidambaram

I stayed with my mother in this property for a period of 16 days while attending my contact classes in Annamalai University. Earlier we decided to stay in Shameer Lodge,but after seeing the untidy rooms there,we zeroed down on Kalyanam Boarding and Lodging which was very near to the bus stop. They had an option of 2-bed rooms also, but those rooms were relatively smaller and stank badly. We took a 3-bed room,quite clean and specious on a daily rate of Rs. 350. Quite affordable,I should say. We asked for some concession for the long duration of stay,but they didn't agree to our terms. It's alright,we decided not to pester them anymore. Our stay was overall comfortable,they used to clean the room and the attached bath every day. The ambiance was clean and they tried their best to keep it in order. Only one thing bothered us,after the nightfall we would not dare to come out of our room. Drinking is a common problem in this place, the borders and the staffs were not free from it. So we decided to have our meal in our rooms only,which we used to collect in the evening itself from the restaurant downstairs. They have room delivery service for this. The restaurant served South Indian breakfast items and meals,quite hygienic and delicious when served hot. We even used to take water cans from them which also they delivered in our room. Here I would like to mention a person who served and helped us a lot in those days. I could not get his name,but he was a jolly good fellow. He was always eager to help,but because of the language barrier we could not communicate much with him! Other than this drinking problem,the place is quite safe for ladies. The window shaft in our room was broken,the staffs replaced it the day we moved into the room. They offered us a more specious room in second floor,but we decided to stay in the first floor which was convenient for my mother. She used to stay in the room at day time when I used to be in University. The staff members would come and ask her regularly whether she had her meal or not,this personal care is really appreciable.

Now let me come to the major problem of this place. The property looks old,and it indeed is. There are numerous bedbugs in the mattresses,every day we suffered from some involuntary donation of blood due to these eager insects. One day rainwater flooded into the lodge and the ground floor was water logged. We had to enter the lodge struggling into knee deep water,it was below the road level so all the garbage also entered inside. That day we had to suffer so badly. Rest is fine. Our university was at walk able distance. Even the famous Nataraj Temple was just 20 minutes away from this property. All the necessary items were available around,and the bus stop was just few minute away from this place. We spent those days quite comfortably compared to most of my friends who used to share horror stories of their accommodations. Now the vital question is,will I suggest this place to my friends? I would say,well,it's not a bad place to stay,but ask for new mattresses and change of bedsheets if you are planning to stay long. They have good power back ups so no need to worry about long hours of power cuts. Yes,that's a big problem of Chidambaram. Arrange for your own mosquito repellent and drinking water. This place is peaceful,one can study well without interruptions. The service is good,but they can still improve it. And yes,they should learn a little bit of English,only one person is there who can somehow communicate. Others,if you want something also you can't ask unless you know Tamil. Next time if I plan to stay here I have to be careful about the bedbugs. Overall,it's a budget accommodation for students and local travelers. Go at your own risk,don't blame me that time!