Hotel Shine Star

If there´s one thing we learned backpacking through India it´s that your expectations will inevitably play a key role in forging your experience of a stay. We arrived in Amritsar a broiling evening in August 2017, planning to only stay two nights. We found ShineStar online and, given the very competitive tariff, were expecting the following: a passably clean room with private bathroom somewhere near the Golden Temple. Instead we were pleased to find: - A room tidier and cleaner than places we paid twice as much for, with working air-con and a very comfortable bed - The Golden Temple is a very short walk away (back entrance), and there are a host of typical dhaba (Punjabi restaurants) and shops nearby - Cold mineral water, excellent hot chai and more are at hand with a very efficient room service But much more importantly: - The service was astounding. The manager, Mr. Saurav Yadav, was extremely welcoming and knowledgeable, and always ready to help us from the front desk. He spoke to our rickshaw driver on the phone, guiding him to the hotel. He helped us find the best dhaba and shops. He kindly fielded our many questions about Sikhism the Golden Temple - I still have a most intriguing book on the topic which he gave us as a gift. He went well beyond the call of duty, listening to our problems and sending us with his trusted employee to a very competent chemist when we got sick, and sending us to a friend that helped us complete our bus booking when we did not manage on our smartphones. These things really make a difference, and we ended up staying four nights. If what you are looking for is a simmple but clean and affordable stay with a caring host and excellent location, then look no further :)