Four Hotels Across India – A Traveller's Journal

Thiruvananthapuram – The Railway Station Stopover

I arrived in Thiruvananthapuram by train at 10 PM. I needed a bed, a hot shower, and not much else. The city, known as the "Evergreen city of India," is built on hills by the Arabian Sea. It ranks first among Kerala's cities for foreign tourists.

For my purposes, Hotel Galaxy Inn was perfectly located. It sits behind the Central Railway Station – a three‑minute walk from the second (back) entry. The hotel also has easy access to MG Road, East Fort, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the bus terminal, the airport, and Technopark.

The property has 20 rooms. Amenities include kitchen access, room service, free parking, and complimentary breakfast. The rating of 5.9 out of 10 (based on 53 reviews) reflects that this is a functional, no‑frills property.

Hotel Galaxy Inn is not a place to linger. It is a place to sleep between trains. For that purpose, it works.

Bengaluru – Business Boutique in Basavanagudi

Bengaluru's traffic is legendary. Choosing the right neighbourhood is half the battle. I chose Basavanagudi, a traditional area in South Bengaluru known for its markets and eateries.

31 South Park Hotel describes itself as a "business boutique hotel." It has 30 fully furnished executive rooms, a terrace lounge bar, and a restaurant with a garden. Room categories include Deluxe Rooms and Suites.

The amenities are what you would expect from a business hotel: high‑speed WiFi, LED TV, air conditioning, 24/7 hot water, complimentary breakfast, room service, elevator access, and parking. The hotel is 3 kilometres from Bengaluru City Railway Station and 35 kilometres from the airport.

What I appreciated most was the terrace lounge bar – a pleasant place to decompress after meetings. The location on Gandhi Bazaar Main Road means you are surrounded by food options, from street snacks to traditional South Indian meals.

31 South Park Hotel is a solid choice for business travellers who need to be in South Bengaluru. It is not luxury, but it is comfortable, well‑located, and reasonably priced.

Saputara – A Hill Station for Families

Saputara is Gujarat's only hill station, located in the Dang district at about 1,000 metres altitude. It is a popular weekend destination from Surat, Vadodara, and Mumbai.

Sidarchie Palace is situated on Police Station Road, a short walk from Saputara Bus Station and the Rose Garden. The hotel has 30 AC and non‑AC rooms and two suites overlooking gardens and mountains.

The property features an outdoor swimming pool, a conference room, a banquet hall, a garden area, a seasonal bonfire facility, and a children's play area. The in‑house Sapphire Restaurant serves vegetarian food. En suite bathrooms include a bathtub and hot/cold water.

Saputara Lake is less than a five‑minute drive away. Other nearby attractions include Sunset Point, Artist Village, Step Garden, and the ropeway.

Sidarchie Palace is clearly designed for families. The children's play area and swimming pool are the main draws. If you are travelling with kids and need a weekend getaway from Gujarat or Maharashtra, this is a reasonable option.

Thrissur – Convention Centre Scale

Thrissur is known as the cultural capital of Kerala. LuLu ICC (LuLu International Convention Centre) was launched in 2006 and is part of the LuLu global brand owned by Mr. M. A. Yusuff Ali.

The scale is impressive. The built‑up area is 160,000 square feet. The venue includes multiple banquet halls, meeting rooms, exhibition space, and an auditorium. Car parking is available for 1,800 cars, and there is an exclusive helipad. The convention centre won the Best Convention Center of India Award from the Ministry of Tourism for 2009‑2010.

The attached LuLu Garden Hotel has 35 well‑furnished rooms and suites. Amenities include a multi‑cuisine restaurant, health club, business centre, total WiFi connectivity, and a children's play park. The location is 4 kilometres from Thrissur Railway Station and about 50 kilometres (45 minutes) from Cochin International Airport.

LuLu ICC is not for the solo traveller looking for a quiet room. It is for corporate events, weddings, and large exhibitions. If you are organising an event in Thrissur, this is the obvious choice.