Luxury Tour of India: Thoughts on these hotels?
Sep 7, 2018, 8:53 pm
#211
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
I stayed at Oberoi Delhi a few months back post-renovation and thought it was excellent. The new fit out was done with no expense spared. The architecture and design in the common spaces is beautiful and the rooms are really luxurious.
@chinmoylad I didn't notice any random people there 'to be seen' at all, but maybe I was there at a quiet time. Actually I found the lobby etc really, really quiet. Could have just been luck or the fact that it was 45 degrees outside
My understanding is that the Oberoi in Gurgaon is more known for being "Instagram-friendly"
@RichardInSF Make sure you check out Indian Accent and Bukhara while you're in Delhi if you have time! Have fun
@chinmoylad I didn't notice any random people there 'to be seen' at all, but maybe I was there at a quiet time. Actually I found the lobby etc really, really quiet. Could have just been luck or the fact that it was 45 degrees outside
My understanding is that the Oberoi in Gurgaon is more known for being "Instagram-friendly"@RichardInSF Make sure you check out Indian Accent and Bukhara while you're in Delhi if you have time! Have fun
Oct 2, 2018, 11:12 pm
#214
Join Date: May 2004
Location: TPE
Programs: AA EXP 2MM
Posts: 507
Thanks VOS! We want to stay more right in town, so we're going to go with House of MG, which should have charm. Neither the Hyatt nor MG qualify for this forum, but I just wanted to make sure I wasn't overlooking something really fab for this city.
Oct 25, 2018, 4:47 pm
#215
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,857
This is the middle of my second night at the Leela Palace in Delhi. Am in the top room (non-suite) category, I think it is called Grand Parlour Deluxe or something like that. It comes with club access and butler service, although so far the only time a 'butler' has shown up is to introduce himself at arrival. Otherwise, even when someone calls them, they are invisible.
As noted in another thread, we were required to sit and wait in the lobby when checking-in. Quite annoying after 20+ hours en route and using the hotel car service (so it wasn't as if they didn't know we wee coming). Front door service, despite a large number of staffers being there, is spotty. We had to start caring for our own bags and sometimes don't get help with those heavy hotel doors. There is security theater on every entry, but that seems to be true most everywhere in Delhi including at each subway station.
The concierges are good and very helpful so far, that's a big plus. But the front desk wasn't able to give me any 100 rupee notes in change for my 2000 rupee bill, they said it was 'too early' in the day. To use an ATM machine, a hotel employee had to escort me down 3 flights of stairs deep into the staff area.
The food in the club room is best for desserts. The hot food is either veg or chicken pretty much, i guess lamb is too expensive. It is not replenished when empty.unless you ask. Drinks, even soft drinks and water, are not self-service and take a long time to arrive Club eligible rooms can take breakfast in the restaurant and I recommend that option Room service for breakfast is NOT included.
The room is large and nicely furnished. So is the bathroom. Everything works well.
Overall this is a very nice hotel but I am somewhat disappointed so far by the service, except for the concierges.
I am a walker and there is a smallish but very high-end new shopping mall about 10 minutes walk away. It has both an upscale grocery store and an interesting looking cafe in it. The cafe serves both curry and sushi/sashimi but I have the feeling my stomach will thank me if I skip the latter.
As noted in another thread, we were required to sit and wait in the lobby when checking-in. Quite annoying after 20+ hours en route and using the hotel car service (so it wasn't as if they didn't know we wee coming). Front door service, despite a large number of staffers being there, is spotty. We had to start caring for our own bags and sometimes don't get help with those heavy hotel doors. There is security theater on every entry, but that seems to be true most everywhere in Delhi including at each subway station.
The concierges are good and very helpful so far, that's a big plus. But the front desk wasn't able to give me any 100 rupee notes in change for my 2000 rupee bill, they said it was 'too early' in the day. To use an ATM machine, a hotel employee had to escort me down 3 flights of stairs deep into the staff area.
The food in the club room is best for desserts. The hot food is either veg or chicken pretty much, i guess lamb is too expensive. It is not replenished when empty.unless you ask. Drinks, even soft drinks and water, are not self-service and take a long time to arrive Club eligible rooms can take breakfast in the restaurant and I recommend that option Room service for breakfast is NOT included.
The room is large and nicely furnished. So is the bathroom. Everything works well.
Overall this is a very nice hotel but I am somewhat disappointed so far by the service, except for the concierges.
I am a walker and there is a smallish but very high-end new shopping mall about 10 minutes walk away. It has both an upscale grocery store and an interesting looking cafe in it. The cafe serves both curry and sushi/sashimi but I have the feeling my stomach will thank me if I skip the latter.
Oct 25, 2018, 5:25 pm
#216
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
@RichardInSF I’m so sorry to hear that.
If you will be there few more days, I certainly recommend speaking to a senior manager to make them aware and so they are more likely to take better care of you for the remainder of your time. That can make all the difference to turning it around! If not, then chalk it up to “you win some, you lose some” and be thankful when you arrive at your next hotel.
If it helps, Delhi was the least interesting part of our India trip—except for our amazing dinners at Indian Accent and Bukhara. So you’ve got nowhere to go but up!
If you will be there few more days, I certainly recommend speaking to a senior manager to make them aware and so they are more likely to take better care of you for the remainder of your time. That can make all the difference to turning it around! If not, then chalk it up to “you win some, you lose some” and be thankful when you arrive at your next hotel.
If it helps, Delhi was the least interesting part of our India trip—except for our amazing dinners at Indian Accent and Bukhara. So you’ve got nowhere to go but up!
Oct 26, 2018, 2:04 am
#218
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,857
Today we left the room here at the Leela Palace at 9am, being careful to turn on the "clean the room light." Upon return at 1:20pm, the light was still on and the room had not been cleaned although someone had come in and replenished a few cookies! I spoke to the duty manager this time and got, you guessed it, sincere apologies and nothing else. I am beginning to wonder if the problems come from the top but I doubt i will ever reach the top to find out.
The cleaner just showed up and said the reason they hadn't cleaned the room was that they were busy.
The cleaner just showed up and said the reason they hadn't cleaned the room was that they were busy.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Oct 26, 2018 at 2:11 am
Oct 26, 2018, 10:20 am
#219
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Southern California, USA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador and LTT, UA Plat/LT Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 8,764
Today we left the room here at the Leela Palace at 9am, being careful to turn on the "clean the room light." Upon return at 1:20pm, the light was still on and the room had not been cleaned although someone had come in and replenished a few cookies! I spoke to the duty manager this time and got, you guessed it, sincere apologies and nothing else. I am beginning to wonder if the problems come from the top but I doubt i will ever reach the top to find out.
The cleaner just showed up and said the reason they hadn't cleaned the room was that they were busy.
The cleaner just showed up and said the reason they hadn't cleaned the room was that they were busy.
Clearly, the Leela Palace Delhi is not a good luxury hotel. Period. I’m so sorry you have to discover this on your holiday.
Oct 27, 2018, 6:23 am
#221
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,857
I've never had a different type of hotel butler experience.
The hotel left what it felt was a sufficient gesture -- a bottle of India red wine and a few bits of cheese (but no crackers to eat them with), along with a note from an assistant front office manager who I have never spoken to. Sigh.
Bukhara tomorrow night. Today hired a car (not through the hotel) to tour Vrindavan and Mathura, the land of Lord Krishna. It's a longish round trip from Delhi but quite worthwhile I thought.
The hotel left what it felt was a sufficient gesture -- a bottle of India red wine and a few bits of cheese (but no crackers to eat them with), along with a note from an assistant front office manager who I have never spoken to. Sigh.
Bukhara tomorrow night. Today hired a car (not through the hotel) to tour Vrindavan and Mathura, the land of Lord Krishna. It's a longish round trip from Delhi but quite worthwhile I thought.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Oct 27, 2018 at 6:31 am
Oct 27, 2018, 9:07 am
#222
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
Crikey Richard, did you drive yourself or did the car come with a driver? I've driven in many countries but I wouldn't risk it in India.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Oct 27, 2018 at 10:13 pm
Oct 27, 2018, 10:14 pm
#223
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,857
Cars in India pretty much all come with a driver, as did the one I got. He was pretty good as a guide as well. I do have to say that based on observation on the trip, there are worse places to drive than India -- Malaysia comes to mind.
Edited to add: In Varanasi, I chose NOT to stay at the Taj Nadesar Palace but rather at the Brijrama Palace. This is not a luxury hotel so my notes on it are in the India forum at Brijrama Palace -- the second best hotel in Varanasi .
Ironically, it is upscale rather than luxury due to the hard product; the service is luxury level. But I strongly suggest that any member of this forum consider a suite or highest level room in this hotel because it has one thing the Taj does not have and never will: location, right on and overlooking the Ganges, surrounded by all that Varanasi is famous for.
Edited to add: In Varanasi, I chose NOT to stay at the Taj Nadesar Palace but rather at the Brijrama Palace. This is not a luxury hotel so my notes on it are in the India forum at Brijrama Palace -- the second best hotel in Varanasi .
Ironically, it is upscale rather than luxury due to the hard product; the service is luxury level. But I strongly suggest that any member of this forum consider a suite or highest level room in this hotel because it has one thing the Taj does not have and never will: location, right on and overlooking the Ganges, surrounded by all that Varanasi is famous for.
Last edited by RichardInSF; Oct 30, 2018 at 9:06 pm
Oct 31, 2018, 5:17 pm
#224
Was sydakllon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite, FSPP, Bellini, Dorchester, MO Fan Club, Oetker Pearl, etc.
Posts: 709
Does anyone know anything about either Samode Safari Lodge (Relais & Chateaux) or Taj Mahua Kothi? Both are in Bandhavgadh which is apparently the best place to see tigers in India (highest concentration), especially in April/May. I'm leaning towards Samode. Not interested in Rathambore.
Nov 1, 2018, 11:38 am
#225
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
Does anyone know anything about either Samode Safari Lodge (Relais & Chateaux) or Taj Mahua Kothi? Both are in Bandhavgadh which is apparently the best place to see tigers in India (highest concentration), especially in April/May. I'm leaning towards Samode. Not interested in Rathambore.
I was not overly taken with Samode, which is weirdly designed and less professional IMHO.