Stay: Hotel Metropole, Mysore

I have probably traveled to Mysore more than any other city in India, from Bangalore. And it still holds some beautiful surprises. Well, so do most places, I guess, but as this one was so pleasant, am sharing it :).

Hotel Metropole is a large, sprawling building just a few minutes walk from the railway station in Mysore. The very obvious colonial architecture indicates it was built in the days of the Raj. It housed European guests in the days of the kings. Today, even though it is located right in the center of the city, among busy streets, the interiors are surprisingly calm, quiet, and you can barely hear the hustle of the city.

It was converted into a hotel many years ago, but fell short of care, we heard. Until the Royal Orchid group took over. It is a now a beautifully kept, well serviced, relaxed heritage hotel.

My favourite colour, ochre, on the walls, lattice work at every turn, ceilings reaching 20 feet high. And what captivated me the most, the inviting corridors.