Raya's Grand

My recent stay for 26 to 28 January 2025 is a ended mixed feelings and disappointment. I regularly stay in Rayas grand for past 15 years being chai of hotels by Rayas group located nearby in a central Kumbakonam. I rate this hotel 6/10 rating and one of few good hotels available around. The quality of service varies seasonally depending on the demand and occupancy. Lost time few years back in lean season it's service was disappointing. The hotel stopped complimentary breakfast but continue to charge same tarrif told by their staffs. The rating of 3 star is rediculous, in a premium double bed room the intercom did not work, there no coffee/tea makers provide in the room as the restaurant operate up to 9:30 to 10:30 pm only and there is no coffee shop or any eateries for midnight arrivals. The bathroom are water logged and there is no guidance to operating showers. Streaming Hot water is a great hazard with out any labeling. Blanket provided is not washes with hairs of other privious occupancy. Hope management will look into rectify lapses.

We planned our second visit to Kumbakonam to cover the city temples and finalised this as an ideal choice. The rooms are good, spacious with comfortable bed. As we went with family, we occupied two rooms which are interconnected. Interesting option which I would encourage every hotel to think through. We stayed during the long weekend. The restaurant attached to the hotel was noisy, overcrowded and no one there to control it. Every waiting customer stood near those having food. Totally chaotic and claustrophobic. We ordered food from the room which took 45 mins due to the weekend. No complaints on the quality of food which is one of the reasons for a high footfall. Run away to another place for lunch or order from room. One of the staffs in the billing counter was showing high attitude towards me and his colleagues. Others were totally courteous. My dad paid a different tariff last time was checking why was it high this time. He didn’t even give an eye contact and went straight to judge on our capacity to pay. The subsequent process was also not really a pleasure. He as a single person made sure that we feel uncomfortable. Minus this the experience would’ve been better.

Excellent service and good stay experience in Kumbakonam. An affordable and fit for purpose rooms, and the hotel is right in front of the Mahamaham tank. The hotel could also arrange for private cabs for visit to near by temples. I didn’t like the food from Rice & Spice restaurant, but otherwise all was good.

The hotel is a convenient hub to make short trips within Kumbakonam or holy places within a 50 Kms distance. It has a nice view of the Mahamagam Tank - a sacred pond. If you are planning to drive to Kumbakonam, then you will find their basement parking lot convenient. They have a dormitory for your driver too. The only inconvenience in staying in the old town is that you need to navigate through a maze of narrow roads, police barricades and diversions. My suggestion is that once you reach the hotel, use the local autorikshaws for city travel. It is bang in the middle of the city and every cab and auto driver knows it. The doorman was helpful in hailing an auto for us. The rooms and bathrooms are very clean, and there is running cold and hot (sizzling hot!) water. We were three so they supplied an extra cot (for a reasonable fee). My only disappointment was that the pillows were too thick. I later learnt that they have lighter pillows but you need to ask for it, because most customers seem to like heavy pillows. The staff were attentive and helpful. They have an attached restaurant (called Rice & Spice).Technically it is an independent entity, but if you tell the waiter in advance he would tag the bill to your room number. The restaurant serves both South Indian and North Indian dishes of high quality.

One of the finest experience overall ! Rooms are really big with good ambiance. Though their tariff does not come with complimentary breakfast, there is a restaurant attached to the hotel on the ground floor, which provides high quality multi cuisine menu. Service standards of the hotel are also excellent and incredibly quick. FO executives Rajesh and Senthil stood out with their warm attitude and willingness to help at all times. Given the proximity to the market place (about 500m walk), the stay at RG was all the more a joyful experience.

Clean rooms and very near to most places. It is very near to the Mahamagam tank. The rooms have been recently upgraded so it looks very clean. They have room service coffee and available at very early time too. Will definitely stay there again.