DISCUSSION for Hilton Honors Hotels in India {IND}
Feb 11, 2019, 4:11 am
#166
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
Well it is right downtown but there really isn't as much to see in Bangalore. I would suggest a day or two there and then head off to a hill resort in Coorg, about three hours by car from Bangalore. I can recommend this one as I stayed there over the new year. https://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Rev...Karnataka.html
Feb 11, 2019, 4:13 am
#167
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MAA
Programs: BA bronze, Marriott silver
Posts: 2,804
And way past midnight is unfortunately when most international flights land in India, whichever ones leave Europe in the morning for example.
Feb 11, 2019, 4:17 am
#168
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
How much is a taxi cost from the airport? And do locals take American dollars?
Feb 11, 2019, 4:23 am
#169
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: MAA
Programs: BA bronze, Marriott silver
Posts: 2,804
Your hotel will be glad to take your USD at a rather disgusting rate if you carry dollars - just pay them by card and choose USD as the currency of payment rather than INR, the rate works out much better for you that way. Or you can change dollars at one of several foreign exchange centers - there should be one or two at the airport arrivals terminal itself. Change say a hundred bucks into cash just in case - and insist on smaller bills (100 and 500 rupee notes, not the 2000s, making change for those will be painful).
Most if not all places a tourist would go to (and most if not all places I'd go to, for that matter) take Master / Visa just fine. Amex availability might be a bit limited to the larger stores. Diners - don't even ask.
USD isn't legal tender in India, even virtually legal tender like it is in Vietnam so you can't walk into a shop and pay in dollars. Well, some of the bigger tourist traps generally accept dollars and have a rate conversion worked out, but just pay by card, it works just fine.
Feb 11, 2019, 4:09 pm
#170
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 1,716
Deciding to stay in Bangalore just because you have Q-suites availability does not seem to be wise. You would be better off in taking a domestic flight to some other interesting city, e.g. Madras, Madurai, Bombay etc. Unfortunately, bad traffic plagues many cities in India but Bangalore & Delhi are two of the worst.
Feb 12, 2019, 12:22 am
#171
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
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Feb 13, 2019, 2:17 am
#172
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
Deciding to stay in Bangalore just because you have Q-suites availability does not seem to be wise. You would be better off in taking a domestic flight to some other interesting city, e.g. Madras, Madurai, Bombay etc. Unfortunately, bad traffic plagues many cities in India but Bangalore & Delhi are two of the worst.
Getting back to the Conrad Bengaluru, how good are they about upgrades? How is the executive lounge?
Feb 13, 2019, 4:54 pm
#173
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Here
Programs: HHonors Diamond, AA EXP
Posts: 1,496
The only driving I’ll be doing is to/from the airport at 2am. So I’m not too worried about traffic. I’ve never been to India and while it may not be the best city, just being able to check off I’ve been to the country is good enough for me.
Getting back to the Conrad Bengaluru, how good are they about upgrades? How is the executive lounge?
Feb 17, 2019, 3:05 am
#174
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
Probably the worst in both. Better of staying at the Taj Racecourse property, also you are in India for the first time- forget about upgrades and EL- go out and soak it in- but not in Bangalore- definitely worth looking at Kerela or side trips from Bangalore if you dont want to stray too far.
Bengaluru also doesn’t seem as hot so that’s another plus. I‘m not exactly what you’d consider your average tourist. I value the comforts and experiences of getting to a destination more so almost than the destination itself. I think a lot of people like that can be found on FT who can say the same thing.
Feb 17, 2019, 3:37 pm
#176
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: WAS
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,754
Bengaluru also doesn’t seem as hot so that’s another plus. I‘m not exactly what you’d consider your average tourist. I value the comforts and experiences of getting to a destination more so almost than the destination itself. I think a lot of people like that can be found on FT who can say the same thing.
The Conrad's location isn't bad, especially if you plan on going to Indiranagar. But the Racecourse Taj or the JW (for proximity to UB City) will suit you just fine.
Feb 18, 2019, 12:42 am
#177
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
Feb 18, 2019, 2:20 am
#178
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: LHR
Programs: QR Platinum, WY Gold, Shangri-la Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,151
The Conrad Bengaluru is very nice in my opinion. Excellent service, lovely pool area and a very solid executive lounge. Exec lounge happy hour offers 4 hot options (including 2 vegetarian), salad bar, cheese board, wines (including a local sparkling wine), beers, spirits and a daily selection of cocktails. Don't quite understand the negativity here!
Feb 20, 2019, 7:29 am
#180
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MVP100K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Gold
Posts: 3,215
The Conrad Bengaluru is very nice in my opinion. Excellent service, lovely pool area and a very solid executive lounge. Exec lounge happy hour offers 4 hot options (including 2 vegetarian), salad bar, cheese board, wines (including a local sparkling wine), beers, spirits and a daily selection of cocktails. Don't quite understand the negativity here!
