Hotel Villa Des Gouverneurs

1. The courtesy and cooperation of the staff - Patricia, Ambrose and Vasant - was excellent. 2. Location of the hotel is near the beach, the market, restaurants and Aurobindo ashram. 3. The hotel arranged transport for us for a couple of times. One of them was too slow and the other a bit rash. Anyway, both were moderately comfortable and there wasn't any untoward incident. 4. The hotel recognized our room problems and gave us a complementary upgrade. 5. The hotel also allowed us a shorter stay without any extra charge. 6. The complimentary breakfast starts at 8am which is too late if you have to visit Auroville. However, on our request, we were given some basic food earlier such as bread, butter, jam and coffee.

I had booked two rooms for total four guests. There are quite a few things we all didn't like. It pains me to point out these things but I am still stating them in interest of fellow travelers and improvements which the hotel may care about. I am attaching photos herewith just for proving my points and not out of malice. 1. The property is 250 years old and has odd-sized rooms. The bed is on a platform which makes it difficult to get into or get out. 2. Old rooms can be accepted if their upkeep is good. But sadly it wasn't the case. The woodwork was chipped off. The tiles were missing. There were holes in electrical outlets. The wooden drawer for tea / coffee supplies was dirty and the cups were cheap. 3. When we arrived, it was raining. The stairs and the mid-landing through which we had to pass was clogged with water and very slippery. The staff cleared it later after pointing it out. Then there's an almost invisible bump while entering the breakfast room. One of us actually stumbled on it. 4. The breakfast "spread" was nothing to talk about. Just some bread, butter, jam, juice and coffee. Well, mediocre dosas were also served with some wannabe "sambar". Also, I actually admire cats in general but when they get near my food in the buffet spread, I get uncomfortable. 5. The voltage stabilizer of the air-conditioner was making noise frequently during the night, interrupting the sleep. 6. Undoubtedly, the most serious problem was that the walls in room no. 06 were actually wet with water seeping in the walls! The whole room was extremely uncomfortable with humidity and smell. After much convincing, the hotel gave us an upgradation. If you want to be able to say that you stayed in the same property where some French governors stayed, you may stay here. But still, avoid the wet months of Pondicherry.