Cross the River from Hampi Sanapur, Hampi 583234 India
Shanthi Guesthouse
289 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
This was our first visit to hampi, an ancient village on banks of River Tunghbadra. Some may also agree it is Indian Atlantis. An capital of Vijaynagara empire. During our stay at Hampi. we stayed at Shanthi Guest house which is located near Hippie island.I am definitely impressed with shanthi guest house. This place feels homly.The staff and the owner are friendly nature.Due to It's trees & huts combination it gives you feeling of leaving in nature away from the noise and pollution. Food is good.
But best part is room was facing the beautiful fields and with a wooden board swing in veranda ( small space in front ).
Please note not all rooms are field facing .these rooms only available on direct booking with guest house .
As well Note that, wardrobe and a cupboard without locks. No room service and for some of you mosquitoes can be annoying.As well distance between two huts should have been more ( it is congested, for 3K per day).
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stayed here on a group tour. Great setting with bar/eating area full of cushions which was wonderful for evening gatherings and watching the sun set. The food was pretty good too. Room had a lovely patio with swing seat but beware of mozzies as the guesthouse is set right on the banks of the rice paddies. Room was small for two individuals and nowhere to put luggage except the floor! Shower worked though 👍
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Date of stay: January 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ok so if you are a nature lover and are ready to cut out the outside world for a day or two this place is an absolute bliss. Once u reach hospet take a rickshaw from the station. They'll charge you Rs 150 for the 20 minutes ride. Pretty decent. You might have to bargain. Since i'm a Mangalorean i speak decent kannada and had an advantage. So after your dropped near the river, take a coracle rise if your lucky or a boat to cross. This facility is open from 7.30 to 5.30 pm only. it connects the hippie island to the Main city of Hampi.After crossing th river we walked for 5 minutes to find Shanto guest house. 1000 for one night for two people which is totally a good deal( Aug visit) You will love the view. Every cottage has swings and the first thing you will see in the morning are the green lush paddy fields , breezy and you can hear the wind whispering. We loved the stay. Food was average though i loved the lemon chicken. Nice people. Overall good stay.
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Date of stay: August 2016
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I am really disappointed to have to give this place such a low review. I booked the Shanthi Guesthouse in advance based on the glowing recommendations of so many other Lonely Planet and TA reviewers. What you get is very, very basic - two single beds pushed together, a few blankets, and a bathroom. As a veteran hostel/backpacker, I have zero issue with basic. What I did have a problem with was the cleanliness and the service. You may or may not get hot water (we didn't). The paint is peeling off the walls, the bathroom has holes in the tiles in which frogs and cockroaches made a pretty nice home, and I seriously doubt anyone has given the accommodation a proper clean in quite some time.
The restaurant is "okay". The service....eh. There are 3-4 people working in the Shanthi Guesthouse, some were much more hospitable than others. Mostly, they watched the TV in the check-in area, but could be prompted to come over with a wave.
We had friends staying just down the road at the Nargila Guesthouse. The accommodation was almost identical, albeit I would say it was definitely cleaner. While the cottages don't have views of the rice paddies (which if you're out and about during the day, you get plenty of anyways) the staff here was incredibly friendly! Great service and a fun atmosphere in the evenings. Guitars, music, lively conversation, good snacks, and all this at a fraction of the price of the Shanthi Guesthouse. The Nargila Guesthouse was charging Rs. 200-600 a night, we paid Rs. 1,300 for the Shanthi. And therein lies the problem.
We have friends visiting Hampi next week and we are sending them to Nargila. Shanthi is going to need to step it up soon if they want to maintain their rankings. I was less than impressed.
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Date of stay: July 2013
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed at Shanthi for eight days, and it was a delight. This guest house has fantastic views from the higher priced huts, which if you can afford is a real treat. We stayed in hut 19, situated back in the garden area without the views, but was perfectly fine. The circular huts are large and comfortable, with mosquito nets and window gauze. Mosquitos are a problem in the whole area because they farm paddy fields and water is everywhere, so bring plenty of cream/spray/coils (coils are purchasable at the local shops) because Hampi is a known malaria and dengue risk. Shanthi is well laid out compared to some other guest houses I saw, and the atmosphere is quiet and restful. They have hammocks in front of all the huts which are extremely enjoyable - days can easily slip past sitting on the hut verandahs. Hot water is solar, and usually available in the afternoons and evenings, beds are very comfortable.
The restaurant at Shanthi serves very good Indian dishes and has a remarkably fast service. You also get the usual pizzas and pasta if you like that, but I can recommend the North Indian food there, which is surprisingly tasty - more than I would expect from a guest house restaurant. We found the staff very responsive and helpful, especially the waiters Sudersun and Devinder. We tried a few other restaurants in the area but couldn’t find any as good as Shanthi.
WiFi is free with a good connection in the restaurant - it doesn’t reach most of the huts, but will reach the closer ones. Airtel is hopeless in Shanthi itself (and I expect most of the guest houses across the river), but around Hampi area generally it is fine.
Hampi is such a peaceful place, it is hard to imagine how this location was the bustling centre of one of India’s greatest empires, where you couldn’t move through the streets for the crowds of people and elephants. The land must always have provided a romantic and calming backdrop to the hype of humans, as it is blessed with ample water and some of the most ancient rock outcrops in the world - the rocks were literally worn into shape by time and water. The big question for visitors is which side of the river to stay.
If you choose to stay across the river from the Sacred Centre, then there are a few things to know. You have to cross in a boat (Rs10/person) to walk the main ruins of Vijayanagara, and the boat runs between certain hours - stopping at 6pm I was told. But it is not likely you need to be out after this time unless your friends are on opposite sides, or you need to travel at dark or early morning (which is quite likely). The boats wait until they are full before departing, so sometimes you will have a little wait, but rarely too long. In all, the boat issue is not too inconvenient, except when arriving or leaving at odd hours.
The main problem with being on the other side of the river, is that the main train to Goa leaves Hospet at 6:30am. It is a half-hour rickshaw drive to Hospet from the Hampi village side of the river, but a 1hr to 1.5hr drive from the other side, on a rough road for much of the way, so it is more comfortable to get a taxi, and more costly. We paid Rs120 to reach Hampi from Hospet railway station on arrival, and Rs1300 to return to Hospet railway station on leaving. Plus you have to get up at 3:30am to be ready to leave at 4:30am for the drive. Just keep that in mind when choosing which side to stay.
Across the river is definitely more peaceful than staying in Hampi itself, so better for longer stays. Staying in Hampi is good for experiencing village life, albeit a tourist village. It is also laid-back, but not as much as across the river. It is also easier to just walk off into the ruins, but that is not too much of a problem from across the river, as one typically makes day excursions to the various sites. Across the river is easier access to the lake, Anjeyanadri Hill and Anegondi village.
If you do choose to stay across the river, what you find is many guest houses lining one side of a long dirt road with paddy fields on the other side. There are even dedicated places for Israelis for those who don’t like to mix. I’m sure most guest houses along here are quite reasonably comfortable. Shanthi is at the end of the road, so be prepared to walk a few hundred meters to get there, which isn’t too hard. There are more guest houses further along the road, and in fact there are guest houses all over the whole area if you want to stay completely away from the ‘scene’.
Around Hampi’s sites, the rickshaw drivers charge exorbitant rates, but you can usually bargain them down from the ridiculous fairly quickly - you still pay twice as much as you would in Delhi. As for the sites themselves, they are strewn over a very large area, so unless you are there for some time, you will never see them all. It is pleasant walking around these sites, but really, it is worth getting a rickshaw to do the Vittala temple and the Royal area together in one day, because not only do you only have to pay once the Rs250 (for foreigners - no wonder the Indians always try to rip off foreign tourists, because even the government does it), but many of the sites are accessible by rickshaw, so you get to see a lot more. Later, it’s a very pleasant walk from Hampi to Vittala, and you only have to pay to actually enter the temple, while there are many things to see outside that.
I would be happy to return to Hampi again, as it is such a magical place, and I would definitely return to Shanthi Guest House.
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Date of stay: December 2013
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:If you don't want to pay the extra for a paddy field view, which is very nice, then we found...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I have never been treated with more disrespect than by the management of this hotel. They gave us a room that was attached to their restaurant and it was VERY noisy and unclean (disgusting shower, mold all over the room, disheveled bed). When we asked to have a different room they said they were booked and we should leave if we didn't like the accommodations. The manager felt very confident that 'the hippies will just keep pouring in, if you don't like it someone else will'. The manager waited until my husband was out of the room to threaten to throw our bags out onto the dirt road. It was late at night, we had had a long day of travel and as a woman I felt very threatened by the remarks made by this man. We had a horrible experience with this guesthouse. We ended up going down the street to the Mowgli guesthouse and being treated very well. The Shanthi Guesthouse is not the place to go if you are interested in being treated well, received good customer service or feeling relaxed in a clean and quiet environment. Go ANYWHERE else.
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Date of stay: January 2012
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This place is filled with absolute drug hiders from the western world. A bunch of young hippies with their cocaine and drums . absolutely uncultured for thier age (20-25). Not being prejudice. Most Israelis with whom you dont feel comfortable,just beacause of their attitude,not able sleep at the night time among these drum sessions . when complained to the staffs, who doesn,t seems to be taking careof, as they would like to mingle with such groups for their late night relaxation. We are still wondring how come this place be rated on T.A . as # 1. at least a couple of reviews like this would compensate for the price we pay there. When we go to hampi Next time definitely we would walk around to make sure we choose the right place by looking at the property directly.
Apart from this there are few good things about this place, The food is better here than their rooms. probably they should convert this place to a total cafe with some more private lounges. that runs round the clock. We would not recommend this place for any one who is really interested in indian cultural site rather than to get astound.
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Date of stay: January 2010
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Cleanliness
Check-in / front desk
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Business service (e.g., internet access)
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hampi is a small laid back city in Karnataka and if you want to sit back and enjoy a true backpackers inn feel then this is the place to be. Go for the paddy facing cottages for privacy and n amazing view. Please check for the paddy while you go as the pictures show amazing greenery and while we went in December it was mushy and water logged. Food is just about average but their pizzas are worth a try. Rooms are decently sized and has super clean bathrooms. Advisable to carry your own bed linen. You may rent cycles from them for tours but most of the heritage sites are on the other side of the river and ensure that you get back to the hotel by 5.30 before the boat service ends.
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Date of stay: December 2014Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The guest house is as close as it gets to serene village experience. The swings outside the rooms overlooking the paddy fields are so inviting that you could spend hours on them i.e. if you are the lazy kind. The is enough and more to do at Hampi if you are active.
The guest house is clean and minimalistic. The rooms, the bed and the toilets are clean. The idyllic eating area where you sit on the ground and can spend hours at length on a slow breakfast or lunch while relaxing and engaging in conversations with your friends and family makes it totally outstanding.
The guesthouse is barely 5 minutes of walk from the river crossing location. Cross the river and you enter the realm of ruins and plus temples.
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Date of stay: December 2013Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The location has a very natural set up just next to paddy fields, very sereneand beautiful. The rooms (ok types) are single room cottages with thatched roofs and attached baths and each one had its own porch with a swing. Enjoy the view of boulders, river and the paddy fields from the swing. Its really a nice place to relax far from the crowd in a village environment.
The food n service is good, the staff is friendly. you can hire a moped and ride around to explore the nearby places.
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Date of stay: October 2011
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Ask the owner K. Krishna (shanthi.hampi@gmail.com) for rooms facing the paddy fields.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. I don't think you would find coracles this early to cross the river. It is however, advisable to ask the staff there once. They would know the best about coracle's exact timings.
Alternatively, you can stay in the Bazaar area if you want to reach Matanga hill on foot. It's more easily accessible from that side of Hampi.
The cottage that I stayed at had Queen sized beds. Get in touch with the property to know how they can accommodate a family of 4. Most of the cottages are alike and seems difficult to accommodate 4 people.
There are more places to choose from in the Hampi area.
PRICE RANGE
₹1,314 - ₹1,314 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
shanthi guesthouse hotel hampi
LOCATION
IndiaKarnatakaBellary DistrictHampi
NUMBER OF ROOMS
20
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