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.

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!

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.

Premises and rooms are very clean Authentic south Indian food at very very reasonable rate available for breakfast /lunch / dinner Owner is artist and that can be identified with room decor Room decor is too good They provided internet TV with very good wifi connection Owner Duggaprasad and his wife are vey good hosts ***** with managing their small kids they Never miss anything for their guests

I was told by owner that room you have booked on the top floor has bathroom leakage but when I went there I saw a family residing . I asked why did you tell lie ; he told sir we don’t have any such option and I didn’t know that it is given there and also they are staying for 2 days. I don’t understand does it really matters if a person staying for one or two day you should be having some professionalism and at least don’t lie. Other things were good but I would at least expect what I booked. He has reduced the taxable amount for an stay by cancelling the booking finally he has charged the same.

I travelled to Hampi with my 3 friends at end of Nov 2021. We planned to stay as much close as possible to the attractions and ruins of Hampi and found Lotus Riya to be a good choice based on distance and reviews. And we are thankful to all reviewers for making our stay memorable. The booking was done through *********** and Durga the owner of the property called 2 days before to ask me confirmation and right from that moment I knew we are in good hands. We travelled by car from Mumbai so were very late to reach Hampi but Durga was again always available on mobile and guided us at every step and also reassured that doesn't matter what time it takes, I am here. He even arranged for dinner very much late at night. There is ample parking at the property, the stay is home stay, just an extension of this lovely family house, ground floor of which is occupied by them. When you stay in Lotus Riya, you are actually staying among the famous boulders of Hampi. A 30 seconds walk/climb on the boulder and you get fabulous views of sunrise, Matang Hills, and all other ruins practically while you are having tea with your mates. The bathrooms are clean, towels and bed linen regularly provided/cleaned. We 4 stayed in a single room which was big enough to hold luggage for all of us and had ample space to during during the evenings and crash for the night. Another amazing aspect the the home cooked and unbelievably tasty and economical food that Durga provides. For breakfast, whatever we asked we got..be it Puri Bhaji, Medu Vadas, Idlis, Aloo Parathas, Masala Dosas, Onion Uttappas and what not. Durga cares about his customers hunger more than the price, he is one of the most chilled out hosts I have met for sure. We initially planned on going out for dinners but after tasting food there was no need to go out at night, we just sat on the balcony and relished the chicken curry's, sukka chicken that was served. It was just amazing. Durga arranged us a guide who was proficient in three languages that we speak. He arranged bikes and motorbikes. Durga himself is good in Hindi and English, is well travelled (5 times to Europe, ******, North East of India) so you get the gist ! Location is what we went for and again Royal Enclosure is 5 mins away by car/bike. Sacred Enclosure is further 5 mins in other direction. Once we had to use bathroom and we could easily do it in between visiting two attractions. All in all a perfect host, great location, super food and family run homely hospitality. You will feel like you are visiting your own native place rather than hotel.