Luxuriest hotel in India?
Jul 22, 2007, 12:23 pm
#4
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Any tour of India which goes Imperial (Delhi), Oberoi Agra, Oberoi Jaipur and Oberoi Udaivilas, as we did last November, will cover 3 of the worlds top 50 or so properties (and 1 in the next 50 ie The Imperial) in one trip.
Jul 22, 2007, 12:29 pm
#5
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The Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur was recently selected as the best hotel in the world in the Travel+Leisure magazine readers' poll. The Oberoi Amarvilas and Rajvilas also placed high in the survey.
Cheers,
T.
Cheers,
T.
Jul 22, 2007, 12:38 pm
#6
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The important point here is which location you are interested in India (mountains, city, sight-seeing, beach). There are different luxury hotels in different locations and it is not possible to compare these properly.
One of the best Oberois I have stayed in for service is at the Vanyavillas. There are about 25 luxury "tent" (it is called a tent but the tented bit is superfical, it is actually a solid structure with a top quality finish and a walled garden). With so few guests (50 at any time), they know the names of all the guest and you are always referred to by name (Mr xxx & Ms YYY) at all times in reception, restaurant etc). However, the only reason you would go there is to experience tiger safaris. It is a boring location otherwise.
The Rajvillas (another Oberoi) in Jaipur has fanstatic villas , luxury tents again (slight smaller than the ones above) and even a couple with private pools. The service is not as personal given the size. Given that this is an a major town with the airport for easy access, this resort outside the city is a haven of luxury when you see the humbler parts of the city, which there are many.
There are some Taj hotels which are actually historical palaces. However, what most tourist forget is that historical palaces are by definition - old; and may have certain problems with plumbing and maintenance. The service is still good but there are some issues with delivery. Do you go for the old historical Lake Palace Hotel in the middle of the lake or the modern Udaivillas by the side of the lake.
Aman/Oberoi hotels are all newly constructed which means new intrastructure but does not really have the charm associated with the real India
I thought the Imperial is Delhi was good but not fantastic (average pool area for example) but then it is a city hotel. The same goes for the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai. There are comparable to top hotels in main large cities, probably the amongst the best in Delhi/Mumbai but they are not exceptional.
One of the best Oberois I have stayed in for service is at the Vanyavillas. There are about 25 luxury "tent" (it is called a tent but the tented bit is superfical, it is actually a solid structure with a top quality finish and a walled garden). With so few guests (50 at any time), they know the names of all the guest and you are always referred to by name (Mr xxx & Ms YYY) at all times in reception, restaurant etc). However, the only reason you would go there is to experience tiger safaris. It is a boring location otherwise.
The Rajvillas (another Oberoi) in Jaipur has fanstatic villas , luxury tents again (slight smaller than the ones above) and even a couple with private pools. The service is not as personal given the size. Given that this is an a major town with the airport for easy access, this resort outside the city is a haven of luxury when you see the humbler parts of the city, which there are many.
There are some Taj hotels which are actually historical palaces. However, what most tourist forget is that historical palaces are by definition - old; and may have certain problems with plumbing and maintenance. The service is still good but there are some issues with delivery. Do you go for the old historical Lake Palace Hotel in the middle of the lake or the modern Udaivillas by the side of the lake.
Aman/Oberoi hotels are all newly constructed which means new intrastructure but does not really have the charm associated with the real India
I thought the Imperial is Delhi was good but not fantastic (average pool area for example) but then it is a city hotel. The same goes for the Taj Palace Hotel in Mumbai. There are comparable to top hotels in main large cities, probably the amongst the best in Delhi/Mumbai but they are not exceptional.
Last edited by KenJohn; Jul 22, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Jul 23, 2007, 1:05 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Udaivilas
Note to all, the GM at Udaivilas is Mr. Henry Gray who with his wife Char where the GM's at Amandari for 10 years and also at Mahakua Hacienda de San Antonio for 2 years. During their time there the hotels recieved all kinds of awards. It goes to show you that its the people who run the place and their staff who make a hotel so wonderful.
Jul 25, 2007, 7:04 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Note to all, the GM at Udaivilas is Mr. Henry Gray who with his wife Char where the GM's at Amandari for 10 years and also at Mahakua Hacienda de San Antonio for 2 years. During their time there the hotels recieved all kinds of awards. It goes to show you that its the people who run the place and their staff who make a hotel so wonderful.
Jul 26, 2007, 10:36 am
#10
Join Date: May 2004
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Not completely true. The Oberois in Simla, Kolkata, and Cairo are all historic properties which have been restored. Although, I agree that most of them are newer properties.
Last edited by You want to go where?; Aug 9, 2007 at 7:15 am Reason: edited to remove reference to Wildflower Hall which is in a historic location but is newly built.