Whenever I am abroad and tell people, I am in Hotel business,
first question they ask, “Do you have good hotels in India”? Do we?
Answer is, “Yes, of course we do”.
Indian hospitality is finest and recognized the world over for its
warm courtesy and welcome. Early records
of our quintessential warmth can be traced back to 6th century when Chinese traveler
Xuanzang visited India. Today our guests
from across the world eulogize about the legendary Indian hospitality, years
after their visit. In this world of ‘unexpected’ we were and we are a nation that
is considered humble, welcoming, warm and greatly hospitable.
Since the 70s we have been operating very good Hotels. Early
properties came up with a big dose of hospitality strongly punctuated with
Indian culture and heritage. Problem has been the ability to continue with same
standards and services. Properties selected by me, as “The ten best” hotels in
India are based on their following strength;
- Quality of property in terms of structure, design and upkeep.
- Quality of service, standard and quality of Food&Beverage
- Maintenance and continuity of the same standards, from the beginning.
But before I get to the final list, I
would like to mention the names of hotels that were not included. These Hotels are;
- Raj Vilas Jaipur, Wildflower Hall H.P., Amar Vilas Udaipur.
- Leila Palace Bangalore and Goa.
- The Oberoi Mumbai and Gurgaon and
- Ashok Delhi.
Most of the Oberoi owned hotels loose out because, despite their
efficient hospitality, they have an air of snobbery around them that borders on
arrogance and doesn’t sit well with most of the critics. Their F&B standards
lose out on many parameters of excellence. Leila Palaces in Bangalore and Goa does
not offer brilliance beyond structure and design. Ashok Hotel Delhi remains the best Build Hotel
in this country but has been devastated by the political and bureaucratic
meddling. On pretext of earning ITDC must stop leasing pieces property to
oblige their political contacts. Even today the best brands world over would
love to take over and run the Hotel because it still has the potential to be
one of the best in the world- but I guess that will only remain a dream.
I now come to my very personal final list of best hotels in India
without any influence or favors. World may differ in its opinion but people
will tend to agree with my interpretation, only after having stayed in any of
these hotels, because each one exudes
its own brand of warmth and
style. Even as I write this blog, the feeling and sensory experiences of
service at each of these fine properties puts a nostalgic smile on my face- You
may read on to know why!
Taj Mumbai
This Hotel
was conceived in 1898. It was built and
opened by TATA group in 1903. This was one the most prestigious projects
undertaken to facilitate rich and famous from all over the world. After 111 years of operation this Hotel, even
today this Hotel boasts of best services and authentic food. Senior most
corporate and tourism clients such as Managing Directors, Chairmen, Business
Tycoons’ and country heads visiting Mumbai patronize this hotel. Thousands of
clients who have been staying regularly for over 30/40 years and still feel the
same warmth, hospitality and experience even today. For me the beautiful architecture,
tasteful décor and personalized service that this Hotel has been offering for
over hundred years is pinnacle of excellence. This indeed is the true landmark
of grandeur and Indian hospitality
Grand Oberoi, Calcutta
Of all the Hotels in our country Grand Oberoi
is closest to reminding us of British Raj. Grand Dame of Kolkata inaugurated
this hotel in 1880. This hotel has a 200 hundred years Old handmade wooden
piano and an iconic chandelier. The entrance to the hotel and Façade are very
un assuming and are on one of the busiest roads of Calcutta the “Chowrangee”, this
hotel has retained same high standard amicably maintained symbol of quality of
product and services. Stay at this property brings back the memory of London,
but with better service and hospitality standards. The food has been consistent
in quality standard and presentation for over 35 years. When you look at the
location and dramatic entry, elegance, class and world class hospitality, this
is certainly one of the best Hotels of India. I wish other Oberoi Hotels could take
lead from it.
Taj West End, Bangalore
I was frequenting Bangalore since 1984 and
many a times I was lodged in Taj at MG road. I used to like the hotel a lot,
but in 1993 ,when I visited again and instead stayed at West end Taj Bangalore,
my opinion of Bangalore as city went up by at least five notches. This hotel is
a heritage property built on 20 acres. It gives you a feeling , as if, you are staying
in a Forrest resort, the rooms are rather large, spacious and well designed. The
restaurant, coffee shop and Garden Café give the feel of a classy resort. The service
- whenever I stayed - was impeccable and food was best in the city.
Looking
back in the pages of history, this hotel was opened by one Mrs. Bronson in
1887. In 1912 Spencer’s a very well established business Group took over the
Hotel. Realizing the potential of this property they decided to hand it over to
the professionals in 1984. Choice of Taj Group worked wonders with this
property. Today so many wonderful properties have been added to this ever
growing metropolitan city, including The Leila Palace but of them can hold a
candle to Taj West End.
Clarkes Shimla - HP
Ones upon a time long long ago when I got
married to Pamposh ( my wife of course) - we decided to go to Shimla for our
honey moon and were booked in Clarkes Shimla by a friend, it is a beautiful hotel,
a very romantic property overlooking the
valley and Shimla city with its Gothic Architecture. This was the first time I
stayed in any Hotel in India. My experience of quality of Food and Services in
this Hotel changed me as a hotelier for
better and forever. Every morning attendants wearing “Turra Pagri” would bring or
restaurant. While having BF in the
restaurant they would discuss the lunch menu and finalize. Mean while room was
cleaned and made ready. Similarly they would discuss & prepare food for
dinner. By 5 pm hot tea with some snacks would come before we went out to town
Centre. It was amazing hospitality, perfectly orchestrated which even today
plays like a symphony in my private moments to fill the void created by time.
It also makes me wonder why this same warm service has not been replicated in
other properties of the group including Cecil and Wild Flower. Thereafter, I
have visited Shimla over 25 times in 35 years for holidays and other reasons
and have stayed in the same room (#51) every time for a ‘Total Recall’ of those
precious moments. This can happen only
where guest is treated like Royalty.
Lake View Udaipur
This Hotel is straight from the best
fairytale story ever told. It is situated
in the middle of the dessert where there is a lake, in the center of lake
there is this beautiful palace with
intricate stone carvings and a dome. It all began with Maharaja Jagat
Singh II in 1746, who built this palace as his own pleasure retreat. In 1963
Maharana Bhagwat Singh converted this into a hotel. Realizing the potential he
handed over the management of Hotel to the Taj Group in 1971 and rest is
history. This awesome property has been mesmerizing the tourists from all over
the world for over 50 years. It boasts of grandeur, services, food and
unbelievable charm of hospitality. For years and years this hotel has a reputation
of having served the world’s famous and rich. People from all over the world made
movies around this Palace. Many other Hotel companies have built many more lake
view hotels, but when you talk of Rajasthan, its grandeur and experience, the
name of this hotel remains synonymous with magnificence, the world over. I wish
to call it the eighth wonder of the world.
Imperial Delhi
Mr. Bloomfield - Sir Edwin Lutyens’s Assistant- built this Hotel
in 1931, it was inaugurated by Lord Willington in 1936. This magnificent Hotel
is located on the Queens Way (Now Janpath). Shining marble floors, high ceilings and Burmese teak wood furniture
make a fabulous first impression, while the historic art and antiques hint at
what lies beyond. This is a truly a grand hotel beautifully preserved and
improved upon, depicting Lyutens distinct Delhi’s glamour, charm and hospitality.
It reminds you of the life and times of the ‘British Raj’ with ever friendly
hospitality and it enjoys a distinction of being the most outstanding hotel in
Delhi. They have their own exclusive clientele. Good consistent food, well
appointed rooms and beautiful public areas that give them an edge over all
other hotels in Delhi.
Taj Lands End (Regent Mumbai)
In the late nineties, The Chairman of ‘Carlson Group’ came to
India on business. He was taken to Band Stand Bandra, a posh Mumbai Suburb
where, the first Radisson Hotel was being built, by not so famous Architect cum
Interior Designer Naren Kuwardkar. Carlson’s Top boss was so impressed by what
he saw that he offered the brand Regent for this property unconditionally. As we
all know that Regent, at that time was considered the top brands in the world.
This Hotel was owned and built by a rather famous Mumbai Builder- Late Mr.
Shiraz Lokhandwala. Today even after more than fifteen years of operation this
is still the best-built Hotel in India.
It was my good fortune to be associated with the
opening and managing of this Hotel for first two years, this hotel scored on all
levels. It has beautifully planned huge public areas, with lobby the size of a
football field and forty square meters well-appointed rooms. Hotel created
service standards, that Indian hospitality industry had never seen, or heard.
Hotels like Oberoi and Taj couldn’t believe the stringent Service standards of
Regent Hotels. As for food, each concept was unique and was very well received.
This was the first complete Modern Hotel that could be compared to the best in
the world. I give full credit for this Hotel to Late Mr. Lokhandwala (may he RIP).
He was the ‘First and Last’ Mughal of our Industry in India. Sadly, he lost
this amazing property to a very ethical Parsi group who acquired it by
unethical means. Though it has lost that glamour, even today this Hotel continues
to be a leader in hospitality in Mumbai.
Goa Marriott Resort & Spa-Panaji
Goa is a very popular holiday destination. As
a hospitality consultant I keep visiting the city on a regular basis and have
stayed in nearly all good hotels including Marriot Goa, which is a beautiful
property, I like it so much that even if I am not staying there, I still make
it a point to visit the Hotel at least for a meal or two. The Hotel atmosphere
is electric, and the view of Miramar beach from the hotel is breathtaking. From
day one this is the only Hotel in Goa where services are not marred by Goa’s
care free attitude. The courtesy and efficiency
of the staff is very much similar to the best managed Hotels in Delhi and
Mumbai. Food is consistent, well prepared and presented. Hotel is well built
and nicely designed. This Hotel has been operating since 1999 and 15 years is a
long time, it’s a job well done - Kudos to Marriot.
Leila Palace, Delhi
This is the most talked about Hotel in the
country. Built on most expensive real estate in Heart of Delhi, if rumors are
to be believed, this is the most expensively built Hotel in Asia. This can only
be the handiwork of a man with vision; Late Mr. Nair effort to create excellence
has really worked. Food concepts are amazing, the quality of food served in all
outlets is connoisseur’s delight, the service
and the staff is of highest standard. Every meal is a celebration, be it coffee
in lounge to world class Italian cuisine.
Without trying to sound cheeky- I would say
this is the most unlike Leila property. Late Mr. Nair’s dream has really come
true. Their team should take the lead from this property and replicate the same
standards in all other properties. This is not only one of the best built Hotels
but also the best managed Leila property in the country.
Written By Anil Chak & Virat Varma
The opinion expressed in this blog is without prejudice and is personal view point of the author is basedonhis own observations, experiences, exposure. The criterion for judgment is without bias or any consideration of the sorts
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