Oyo rooms

I normally make my hotel bookings in advance as I don't like last minute unplanned issues. This is something I have learned from my father. He plans things and is usually in at any venue of a meeting at least 30 minutes in advance. 

However, multiple issues and the back of the mind confidence in the hotel inventory of the southern States made me postpone the booking. When I finally got down to making the booking, I was in for a rude shock. There was an international conference in Hyderabad and every hotel seemed to be booked. The popular ones, less popular ones and the least popular ones- none of them seemed to have a single room available. 

It was then I tried Oyo rooms. Now, Oyo rooms is a concept where they tie up with a hotels (budget and small ones on general) and let those rooms out. I got a service apartment in Banjara Hills, a leafy posh locality for just Rs.1499 without taxes. With taxes and food in, it was Rs.2000. 

This was the first time I was staying in a service apartment and I had apprehensions of my own. But when I landed at the place, I understood.... How unfounded were they! There was a double bed with a/c and satellite TV. The room had decent soft lighting. Though I am not so fickle with the room, when it comes to the bath, I am. I was  pleasantly surprised with a cleanly maintained bath. And yes, this locality was decent (the most posh in Hyderabad, actually! )  and safe for ladies too. 

A decent guest house type dinner (rice, curd and a couple of curries) and a single dish breakfast (upma) with coffee rounded up my stay. There is no choice as regards food though. 

Though I have tested only one property, I would recommend Oyo rooms for last minute bookings and budget stays. They tie up with hotels too and you can see the property on the site before making a booking. And, what's more, I get a 50% discount if I book through the app the second time!

But yes, no voluntary last minute bookings for me again.... I cannot get lucky everytime, can I?