No Hotel Reservations

I landed in Bengaluru at about 6 p.m. and had no hotel reservations for the night. As reality set in, I found the payphone and started phoning hostels, budget hotels, and even five-star hotels—only to get the same response: they were all fully booked for the next seven days. Only then did I discover the Miss World Pageant was in town, taking up every available space.

I observed two couples in a similar situation at the airport, looking for a place to stay. As the terminal emptied, we were among the few who remained. Overhearing their chat, I approached them and inquired whether they had had any success. With no solutions in sight, the three of us proceeded to plan our following actions together.

I noticed a middle-aged man observing us in the distance as we spoke.

He wore a perfectly fitted suit and had a subdued power that suited someone from executive circles. A few moments later, he walked over to us and spoke calmly.

A Perfect Stranger

“You won’t find a hotel tonight or anytime this week,” he told us. “Lodging is almost impossible with the Miss World Pageant in town.” Then, shockingly enough, he said, “If you have nowhere to stay, you are welcome to spend the night at my house.”

The three of us exchanged glances as we considered our alternatives. We were stranded for the night. With nothing to lose, we decided to stick together and accompany him. Our strategy was simple: go to the next town in the morning and try our luck.

By now, it was about 7:30 p.m., and darkness had descended. As we followed this man to the parking lot, he pointed to a waiting limousine with a chauffeur standing there. “This is the car,” he said.

Wait, what? A limousine? Who was this man?

Throughout the journey, he engaged us in conversation, asking about our travels and where we were from. However, he shared little about himself. All we knew was his name: Philipose Matthai. His calmness made us feel at ease, and we soon chatted easily.

When we arrived at his home, our jaws sank. It was not just a house but a mansion. His wife graciously greeted us, and a maid took us to our rooms, explaining that supper would be ready in 30 minutes. Mr. Matthai informed us that, while he had to go early for work, we could take our time, have breakfast, and stay for a few days if necessary. He also arranged for his driver to transport us wherever we wanted the following morning.

I knew very little about Mr. Philipose Matthai other than that he was the head of the Bangalore Coffee Board. What I do know is that he was a kindhearted and generous man. In our time of need, he opened his home to three strangers. He welcomed us warmly, as if we were family, and exhibited worry about my solo travels around India.

And to think, I hadn’t even been in India for 24 hours yet.

The following morning, I got up early to catch him before he left for work. “What are your plans?” he inquired. The truth was that I still had no clear plan; I was still trying to take the bus to Goa. “Stay a few more days,” he recommended. “The driver can take you sightseeing in the morning.” Before departing, he handed me his business card and stated, “If you need anything or get into trouble while traveling in India, please do not hesitate to contact me.”

After breakfast, the driver took us sightseeing, and by lunchtime, we were at a local restaurant, enjoying a well-earned meal after a morning of exploration. 

Kindness Goes a Long Way

When we left Mr. Matthai’s home, kindness left a lasting impression. Sometimes, the unexpected moments shape our journey in ways we never anticipate. This remains one of my most cherished solo travel stories—a reminder that the best travel experiences aren’t always planned—they often find you when you least expect them.

Next Story: An Unexpected Trip to Puttaparthis

Author and photo credit: Cristy