Our medical team was booked at the PA.L. Residence across the street but decided to come to Thanjavur a day early. It was the time of the Pongal festival, so most hotels were fully booked. We thought we were lucky to find rooms for our group of 5 at the Oriental which was conveniently located across the street. Though it appeared promising on the outside, the accommodations at the Oriental were abysmal.The lobby was enormous, dark and sparsely furnished. The restroom off the lobby was dirty and smelly - no TP as is common in India, so BYO. The elevator was small and creaky. Though there were two elevators, only one was in service and the other didn't seem to be receiving any attention that was likely to bring it back into use anytime soon. Our rooms were dark and dingy. Though two of us shared a double, we were provided only a single towel. Our bathroom had what appeared to be a steel bath tub, but it turned out to be a tub painted gray. My guess that this was done to camouflage the grime in the tub itself. The floor of the tub had a layer of some sort of slime - perhaps soap residue, but I didn't want to inspect too closely to determine what exactly it might be. Suffice it to say, that I did not enter the tub (to shower) without flipflops on for fear of a deadly foot infection. The water was cold. Our room bordered the railroad tracks and we were serendaded by passing trains throughout the night. Though the price was higher than many other places we had stayed while in Tamil Nadu, breakfast was not included in the price of the room. If we would have had any other place to eat, we would have. The food was fair at best and the service indifferent. You are well advised to book almost anywhere else if you plan to stay in Thanjavur.

Beware before going check with rates what all is included, like service charge, breakfast etc especially people booking by email from overseas(this is verty tricky).The standard of this hotel is SUBSTANDARD and not recommended.

OK spend a couple of nights, away from the attractions.

Stayed for a night in Oct 2011. Room is ok but bathroom subpar. WC with paper only, no hand spray. Lobby is garish and smelly. Entrance is dark and not welcoming. Breakfast restaurant had very stale air and we had to request to open the windows. Breakfast quality was ok, if not for a fly found in my companion's dosa.