As I wrote earlier, I went to shirdi and after a lot of research...booked a room at sai krupa...based primarily on review on this site. the only other place worth staying...are..in order of priority...1. MTDC hotel 2. Sai Leela(cost is the highest..but better ambience I believe) 3. sai krupa. I tried booking MTDC...very simple to book...found the number thru the MTDC site...however, couldnt manage the dates I wanted. and as my trip was short...i decided on sai krupa...against sai leela. my impressions...are...:-
cost wise...i think the most economical.
very near to the temple...3. easy to book...they do it on phone....
no hidden cost..whatever they quoted is what they charged.
some amount of rennovation in progress so dust and distemper around(iritating my wife and kids!!)
dont expect great ambience.....just a tidy place with functional AC and working TV( no kids channel though...so be prepared to answer some tough questions from kids!!) 6. some of the things had to be prompted...like fresh towels...(we were given towels, the likes of which are given to you in AC coaches on trains...basically looking really dirty and worn out...but freshly laundered) 7. the good thing was that there was running water..and hot water too...which was helpful. and trust me...its really tough staying in a non -ac place
overall.....some amount of disappointment on a few issues...but would concur with the previous review..this place is one of the better deals around...and would strongly recommend other to book a hotel before reaching there....as I saw a lot of guys running around in the night trying to manage a room in the night.
and as to how the darshan was....well I will have to devote an entire new review on it....
hope this review will help atleast one other person in finding the right place....anyway..i still suggest...you try the MTDC well in time...as I think...it would be worth it..and well...if it is not...you can atleast blame the typical govt attitude..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!