Hotel Poonam

About Hotel Poonam

Hotel Poonam suits travellers who want a no-frills base in the old city area of Pune. The hotel is on Jangali Maharaj Road, within walking distance of the Pataleshwar caves and Shaniwar Wada. This part of the Peths is busy and full of character, with markets and street food nearby. The hotel is practical for those spending most of their time exploring the city or visiting friends and family. It is not a resort or a luxury property. It works for short stays where the location matters more than the room size or amenities.

The rating reflects a solid budget option in central Pune. The hotel has a 24-hour front desk, a restaurant, lifts and free car parking. Air conditioning is listed in the rooms. Free internet is available in the lounge area. The hotel does not allow pets. The score suggests that guests find it acceptable for the price and location, though expectations should be set for a basic stay.

Rooms and listed facilities

The rooms are basic but functional. Couples and solo travellers will find them adequate for a night or two. Families should confirm the room size and bedding arrangement directly with the property, as the listing does not specify family rooms. Business travellers can use the free internet in the lounge and the 24-hour front desk for late check-in. Laundry service is listed. Breakfast is available. It is wise to ask about the restaurant timings and menu when booking.

The setting

Hotel Poonam stands at 629 3 Jangali Maharaj Road, in the Old City Peths area of central Pune. This is a busy, traditional neighbourhood. The Pataleshwar caves, an 8th-century rock-cut temple, are about 0.6 km away in a straight line. Shaniwar Wada, the historic Peshwa palace, is roughly 0.9 km away. Lal Mahal and Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati are each about 1 km from the hotel. Tulshibaug market is 1.1 km away. Pune Junction railway station is about 2.9 km in a straight line. Swargate bus station is 2.8 km away. The airport is about 10.1 km away.

Location and neighbourhood

The Old City, known as the Peths, is Pune's historic core. This is where the Peshwa rulers built their capital in the 18th century. Narrow lanes wind through Shaniwar, Sadashiv, Budhwar and Kasba peths. Wadas, traditional courtyard houses, line the streets alongside busy markets and small temples. The area feels crowded and lively at all hours. For a first-time visitor, it offers a direct encounter with the city's Maratha heritage. The streets are best explored on foot, though traffic can be heavy. Auto-rickshaws are the most practical way to move between peths. The atmosphere changes from morning temple bells to evening bazaar chaos.

The Peths are a dense urban grid with few open spaces. Pavements are narrow or absent in places. You will share the road with vehicles, pedestrians and the occasional cow. Shaniwar Wada stands as the main landmark, a ruined fort-palace that was the seat of the Peshwas. Nearby, the Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple draws huge crowds, especially during Ganeshotsav. The area has a distinct character: old bakeries, spice shops and textile stores occupy ground floors of crumbling wadas. It is not a polished tourist zone. It is a living neighbourhood where commerce and daily life continue as they have for centuries.

Getting there and around

From Hotel Poonam, the city's main sights are within easy reach. The airport is 10.1 km away, a drive of around 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Pune Junction railway station is 2.9 km from Hotel Poonam, a short auto-rickshaw ride. The Pune Metro Aqua Line connects the railway station to the district court and Deccan Gymkhana, but the Peths themselves are not on the metro network. For getting around the Old City, auto-rickshaws are the best option. They are plentiful for short hops. Walking is practical between Shaniwar Wada, Lal Mahal and Dagdusheth temple, which are within a few hundred metres of each other. For longer trips, ride-hailing apps work well.

Nearby sights and food

Shaniwar Wada is the essential first stop. Built from 1730, it was the Peshwa palace until 1818. A fire in 1828 destroyed most of the interior, but the massive stone walls and gates remain. The sound-and-light show in the evening tells the fort's story. A short walk away is Lal Mahal, the childhood home of Shivaji. The current building is a reconstruction, with a small museum inside. Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple is always busy. The idol is decorated with gold and jewellery. Tulshibaug market, opposite the temple, sells everything from silk saris to kitchenware. Pataleshwar caves, an 8th-century rock-cut temple, are a 15-minute walk north on Jangli Maharaj Road. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum houses a large collection of everyday artefacts and musical instruments from across Maharashtra.

The Peths are a good place to try classic Puneri food. Misal pav, a spicy sprouted-bean curry with fried bread, is a local staple. Vada pav, a fried potato patty in a bun, is sold from street carts everywhere. For a sweet snack, look for bakarwadi, a crisp spiral of gram flour and spices. Mastani, a thick milkshake with ice cream, is a local invention worth trying. Shrewsbury biscuits, a legacy of the British-era Camp area, are also popular. The area has many Irani cafés and old-style bakeries that serve bun maska and chai. Meals are generally vegetarian in the Peths. Lunch places offer a Puneri thali, a platter of rice, roti, dal and vegetable dishes.

A day from Hotel Poonam

A day from Hotel Poonam starts at Shaniwar Wada, arriving just after it opens to avoid the crowds. Spend an hour exploring the grounds and the small museum. Walk to Lal Mahal, then to Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple. From the temple, enter Tulshibaug market for a wander through the fabric and spice stalls. By late morning, head north to Pataleshwar caves, a quiet spot carved from a single rock. Lunch is a misal pav at a local eatery in the peths. Afternoon can be spent at Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, which is a 10-minute walk from the caves. Return to Hotel Poonam to rest. In the evening, walk back to Shaniwar Wada for the sound-and-light show. End the day with a mastani at an old-style café near the peths. The entire route is walkable, with short auto-rickshaw hops between the museum and Hotel Poonam.

Distances

Facilities listed by the supplier

As listed by the booking supplier; a facility not listed here may still exist. Confirm anything important with the property.

• 24 Hour Front Desk
• Air conditioning
• Bathroom
• Breakfast
• Coffee
• Credit Card Accepted
• Fan
• Free Internet access (Lounge)
• Free car parking
• Laundry Service
• Lifts
• Minibar
• Pets Not Allowed
• Restaurant(s)
• Safe
• Shower
• TV