Starwood Preferred Guest - Which Starwood Property in Delhi?

Howdy,

I am staying 2 nights in Delhi on my way to the hills in Nepal, and I am interested in a *wood peoperty in Delhi. I am getting in late (around 2200) from AMS, but I have a full day the next day, and I want a place near all of the sights but easy to get to from the airport. I see from previous threads that the Le Meridian is probably my best bet, but I would appreciate some opinions on it.

By the way, is the Taj Mahal doable in 1 day from the city? Or, should I just wait? Merci!

Well, I'll stand in for Cheap Elite and observe that a search on 'Delhi, Meridien' constrained to the last year brings up (among other things) this master thread with posts as little as two weeks old.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starwood-preferred-guest/646213-le-meridien-delhi-master-thread.html

While I'd normally recommend search, OP is asking some additional information, which I'd gladly provide since I just finished my four week long India work trip.

I stayed at LM Delhi for seven nights and it is the best SPG property in Delhi that is close to sights, especially the India Gate. SPG Plats get treated well, but one caveat for all luxury hotels in Delhi and some other states in India is that you will be charged taxes (usually 10-12.5%) on the full rack rate of the room you are assigned. So if the hotel upgrade you to a nice suite, you will have to pay taxes on the rack rate of the upgraded room... not your rate nor the rack rate of your original room. So, the rate you get may be decent but you will almost always end up with hefty taxes... in the range of minimum 35 USD to 50/60 USD Per NIGHT. :mad: I had a nice 7000 IDR rate via SPG50, but ended up paying close to 10,000 IDR per night including taxes since I was upgraded to a suite. Taxes were 2500 IDR ~ 50USD. They were originally going to upgrade me to a room that had tax of 4300 IDR!!! Then I said that's way out of the line... I like upgrades, but not when I have to pocket out close to 100 dollars in taxes. :( This is really a strange and unique policy to India. No one seem to know why they do this nor why some states have this and some don't.

In regards to Agra visit, it will take you a full day. So, if you arrive late on your first day and leave early on your third day, and want to see Agra, you will have to forego sight-seeing in Delhi. You can take a train early morning and finish seeing things in Agra by 2-3 PM... and return via train (there no guarantee that your return train will be on-time :D That's the way it is in India). So, if you want to go to Agra, you have to block entire day.

Awesome -- they have great rates for the days I am looking for in July 2009, and I think that a quick tour of the sights, and a nice pool lounge day in the afternoon just fits the bill. India can be best enjoyed when one has more time, so I'm not going to push it! :cool:

While I'd normally recommend search, OP is asking some additional information, which I'd gladly provide since I just finished my four week long India work trip.

I stayed at LM Delhi for seven nights and it is the best SPG property in Delhi that is close to sights, especially the India Gate. SPG Plats get treated well, but one caveat for all luxury hotels in Delhi and some other states in India is that you will be charged taxes (usually 10-12.5%) on the full rack rate of the room you are assigned. So if the hotel upgrade you to a nice suite, you will have to pay taxes on the rack rate of the upgraded room... not your rate nor the rack rate of your original room. So, the rate you get may be decent but you will almost always end up with hefty taxes... in the range of minimum 35 USD to 50/60 USD Per NIGHT. :mad: I had a nice 7000 IDR rate via SPG50, but ended up paying close to 10,000 IDR per night including taxes since I was upgraded to a suite. Taxes were 2500 IDR ~ 50USD. They were originally going to upgrade me to a room that had tax of 4300 IDR!!! Then I said that's way out of the line... I like upgrades, but not when I have to pocket out close to 100 dollars in taxes. :( This is really a strange and unique policy to India. No one seem to know why they do this nor why some states have this and some don't.

In regards to Agra visit, it will take you a full day. So, if you arrive late on your first day and leave early on your third day, and want to see Agra, you will have to forego sight-seeing in Delhi. You can take a train early morning and finish seeing things in Agra by 2-3 PM... and return via train (there no guarantee that your return train will be on-time :D That's the way it is in India). So, if you want to go to Agra, you have to block entire day.


Interesting post -- so as someone going on a bare-bones budget, should I ask specifically for NO upgrade, just to aviod the taxes? "No upgrade requested" in the notes? :confused: Hmmmm...

Regardless of how low your rate is your taxes will be based on the full rack rate of the room you receive. Nonetheless, rack rate of the regular rooms and standard suite room has a difference of about 8000 IDR, I think. So that'd be around 1000 IDR difference and for one night stay, it won't be so dramatic... it's when you stay longer... then you realize it's adding up like crazy. :(

I think the message that Indians are sending to us foreigners is that if you are paying enough dollar to stay at luxury hotels, you must have $$$ to pay for higher fee associated services and taxes. :( Don't let the hotels arrange you a taxi/car/dinners as it's at least 5-10 times higher than what you'd get when you get one off the street (though can't guarantee safety) or through your Indian friend.

LM Delhi is in the class of 'modern' 'W' wannabe category. Somehow, I feel like they are just short of being really modern/'W-esq'.

Never heard of being taxed on the rack rate. Is this the only property that does that?

The ITC Maurya (formerly Sheraton Maurya) is a first class property. Don't know that it's better than the Meridien, but it's at least as good. Not to cheap elite you out, but there are lots and lots of comparative threads here from people who have been to Delhi more than me - I've only been there twice - and the Maurya generally takes top honors. YMMV, of course...

- and the Maurya generally takes top honors. YMMV, of course...

If you get the ITC One room. ;)

I did like Maurya, but the location is not as good as LM. Combining the location and the style, I think LM is a bit ahead of Maurya... but then again... as you said YMMV.

Never heard of being taxed on the rack rate. Is this the only property that does that?

The taxes on the rack rate of the room is specific to all hotels in Delhi (and Chennai as well IIRC), it does not exist in other cities such as Mumbai, where the room rate is inclusive of taxes.

I always stay at The Maurya so that gets my vote for the best Starwood property in Delhi, but unfortunately it's also the most expensive :(