Lotus Riya

*FEEDBACK DO MATTERS* Will liked to submit my candid feedback on our family stay at “Lotus Riya” at Hampi. Good things first: 1)The rooms were really nice. Clean and hygiene , except torn bedsheets. 2) Shiva (bellboy, housekeeper, chef and so on) was a brilliant. Was “jack of all trades”. Thanks to him. Not Good list is long: 1. Incorrect and false information/confirmation. 2. In 3 days stay, one room was changed twice. 3. Moreover, one of the room provided didn’t had supply of water. Hence, had to be switched. Bit uncomfortable. 4. Day 1 dinner was not available due to guests at their residence. Sounded bit crazy and hence had to order food from outside. 5. Though home stay, it just provided breakfast and dinner. No lunch. 6. The morning tea was only possible post 8 am. That’s the wake up timing for the host. We continued to experience these surprises and hence decided to prepone our stay by a day. 7) On first day after reaching when we wanted to order dinner , Durga Prasad the so called owner tells us they cannot provide dinner as they had there family get together and we have to order from Swiggy or Zomato. 8) Room had thin curtains. One could see easily in the room from outside. Posting few pics , please check before going there. Overall not a good home stay experience and hence will be very apprehensive to dwell in such concept going toward. Thanks.

Ok, now this is going to be like an essay…get ready, it’s not the first time in homestay, couple of times in ***, Darjeeling, Garhwal & Himachal Pradesh we have experienced. Pathetic homestay experience in Hampi (Karnataka) Reached Lotus Riya Homestay/Shankar Homestay late evening on 2/1/2023 from sawantwadi (MH) five of us tired after driving 360kms. Three rooms were booked for 2 nights with Durgaprasad Lotus Riya, two double & one room single occupancy. First one to meet was Kavita. She said two rooms are in Lotus Riya and single occupancy is in Shankar homestay, we said this is not done. Kavita said right now Durga Prasad is not available he is gone out and actually Durgaprasad was standing next to us and saying ‘ Let’s not mess.’ It’s just for a night tomorrow single occupancy will shift with the rest. Before settling in the rooms we asked for dinner, bluntly said we have guests at our place so you order from Swiggy. There itself we came to know what service is coming in next two days. Morning tea will be served after 8am. I think I’ll write in short. 1- Morning No drinking warm water was given inspite of asking. 2- Shower nor taps were working properly. 3- Hot water for bath had his own mood. 4- no stand to hang the towel or clothes in one of the bathroom. 5- Breakfast, 2nd day dinner was good, torn bed sheets, rooms bathrooms were clean and BEST SERVICE WAS FROM SHIVA. Durga Prasad, Kavita and Ramu were pathetic. They were very cordial with foreigners, Kavita shamelessly telling me that the have black coffee after 8am, was more concerned about their tea-coffee timings.

Our first Hampi trip was truly made special because of our wonderful homestay host, Durga Prasad and Anjali who run Lotus Riya homestay ***** with William, Shiva and Paul (Most enthusiastic rickshaw driver in the world). The homestay was clean, cozy and within our budget. They made the yummiest South Indian breakfast for us everyday and I still miss their curd rice. Please do contact Paul as your rickshaw travel buddy and Virupaksh (94492 51251) as your guide when you go around Hampi's ruins. He was literally narating a movie instead of telling us the history, he was so passionate about this job, highly recommend him. Also one hour boat ride with Suri is a must! I would highly highly highly recommend you to chose their homestay for your trip to Hampi, they are a genuine and a lovely family whom I wish best wishes whole heartedly! We travelled Hampi for 3 whole days and 1 day trip to Badami. I would highly recommend everyone to see Badami Cave temples and Pattadakal and Aihole. Even more ancient that Hampi and so so incredibly beautiful.

Excellent guesthouse with a chill atmosphere. Perfect homebase to explore Hampi, which has some really amazing archaeological attractions. Anjali made a delicious chicken curry on my last night! If you need a tour guide, ask for Mr. Paul!