Pune: Where to stay in a budget hotel with family?

The moon shone bright outside as the manager swiped the debit card and cut a straight receipt for Rs. 2515 for a family room suited for 4. Cutting across the busy traffic streets and signals of Pune, we had finally checked in the same hotel that we had taken the last time when we were in the city.

The Family Budget Hotel In Pune: Hotel Smart Inn

Checking in... Hotel Smart Inn - A Budget Family Hotel in Pune.

The Self Service Hotel in Pune

Located right in the craziness of central Pune yet hidden in an alley off the Fergusson College Road to escape the crowds and hullabulloo of the people, Hotel Smart Inn looks and sounds to be just the kind of hotel one would need in a maddening city like Pune. The hotel is so named because it boasts of an extremely modern design and a few hi tech things like in house vending machine, free wifi, rain showers, electronic locks and a free complimentary breakfast.

The lobby area cum breakfast area as seen from my floor - 5th!

The verandahs are clean without a speck of dust - inviting!

The 4 bedded family room suite is basically a 2 double bedded interconnected room with 2 LCD TV’s and 2 attached bathrooms (with liquid hand wash) provided one for each room. The room is pretty clean, small and not-so-spacious. One problem that we did encounter was with the geysers – since they work on solar energy, they refused to cough out hot water early morning, however, the staff was quick to act when contacted and the problem was solved in a couple of minutes.

The family room suite - picture of one interconnected room...

... the mirror is a door that slides to give way to the bathroom.

The complimentary breakfast buffet had a variety of options spread on the table like Idli, Upma, thepla and an assortment of fruits, juices and other morning beverages - true to what they promise on the official page of their website - "wholesome". How I just wish they also add "Fresh" to it someday; the Idli was hard, the theplas were coming out of the oven and the Upma tasted average. If you do choose to stay in this hotel, my advice would be to rather bunk their breakfast and hit the city streets  instead to eat a spicy misal or a hot vada pav fresh out of the cauldron.

From the breakfast buffet: Upma.

The best thing I liked about this hotel is that it’s just a few minutes away from the main road that opens into major shopping outlets and many famous eateries and coffee shops like Vaishali, Shiv Sagar, Mc. Donalds, Barista and Café Coffee Day. I told you – it’s location is a HUGE plus!

WILL I CHOOSE TO STAY IN THE HOTEL, AGAIN?

Smart Inn? Not quite!

I don't think so. With all due credits to its excellent location which is a great highlight for the hotel, Hotel Smart Inn somehow failed to match up with the high standards it had set in our minds the previous time and we left with a disappointed feeling that for the same price, we could have had something better... perhaps, the next time we come down hopping to Pune.

Other budget hotels to stay in Pune? Pune has a lot of options ranging from luxury to budget for all kinds of travelers and suited to different types of pockets. Google the internet, read blogs, rummage through the vast amount of information available online based on experiences and travelogues and go with that hotel that sounds best for you. Once you choose your pick, do not forget to book your hotel in advance to avoid any last minute hassles and enjoy your trip!

Address:

1226, Shivaji Nagar, Off Fergusson College Road, Pulachi Wadi Road, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune, Maharashtra 411004

020 2553 8811

Family suite: Rs. 2515

Remember to: Confirm with the front desk if you can depend on the geysor for a hot water bath early in the morning (at around 6 AM).