**Hotel O: Delhi's Star-Studded Luxury Awaits!**
Hotel O: Delhi's Star-Studded Luxury… or just a really shiny facade? (A Messy Review)
Okay, so Hotel O in Delhi. The name itself screams "luxury," right? "Oooooh, fancy!" My expectations were, shall we say, high. I was picturing myself lounging in a silk robe, sipping something bubbly overlooking a glittering cityscape. Instead, I got… well, let's just say it was a journey. And not always a smooth one. Buckle up, buttercups, because this review is gonna be a wild ride, just like my experience.
Accessibility & (Ahem) Its Shortcomings:
First things first, the accessibility. Now, I didn't need a wheelchair myself, but I always look for these things because, hello, inclusivity! They claim to have Facilities for disabled guests. And I saw an elevator. But trying to maneuver through the lobby with luggage felt… tight. Seriously, that lobby could benefit from a little room to breathe. The elevator was thankfully accessible, though. And look, the elevator did work. Small victories, people, small victories.
On-site Dining & Sipping (aka, Where the Money Went):
Okay, this is where things get interesting. Because, dammmn, they've got Restaurants. Plural. You could practically live in this hotel and eat something different every day. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was actually decent, and I'm not just saying that. The Western cuisine in restaurant had a good day, and not so good day, ya know. And they even have a Vegetarian restaurant. Score! The Poolside bar was a major highlight. I spent a whole afternoon there, practically melting into a sun lounger with a ridiculously expensive (but delicious) cocktail. The Happy Hour was a lifesaver for my wallet! There are a lot of drinks: Bottle of water is always provided, there is a Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, and you can get Desserts in restaurant too (I did). They also have A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants, Room service [24-hour]. I might have gone a little overboard. Don't judge me!
Now, about the Breakfast [buffet]: It was… a buffet. A very large buffet, I'll admit. The Asian breakfast was pretty standard, your usual dosa and idli (which were surprisingly good, actually!). They had the Western breakfast too, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, and Alternative meal arrangement.
Rooms, Glorious Rooms (Mostly):
Okay, I'm gonna get real for a sec. My room was… nice. They promised Air conditioning, Air conditioning in public area, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens, and that's what they delivered. It was clean (thank goodness – I’m a hygiene freak!), the Daily housekeeping staff were absolute angels, and that extra long bed was a godsend after all that sightseeing. The Internet access – wireless was actually pretty reliable, which is a huge plus. The Internet works. I also loved my Window that opens – a breath of fresh Delhi air (which, let's be honest, isn't always the freshest, but still…). They have Additional toilet too, so that is great. The Interconnecting room(s) available might be handy if you're travelling with a family.
But here's the slightly less glamorous part: Remember those promised silk robes? Mine was a bit… threadbare. And the slippers… well, let's just say they were closer to "slippers" than "luxury spa footwear." They have so many amenities: Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Interconnecting room(s) available, Laptop workspace, Non-smoking, and Soundproofing.
Oh, and my neighbour's TV was on full blast until 3 am one night. Seriously, the Soundproofing needs a little… tweaking.
Spa & Relaxation: Bliss or Booze? (Or Both?)
Alright, the Spa. The Spa/sauna. I needed this. I’d been battling Delhi traffic (a near-death experience, every single time) , and my shoulders were practically glued to my ears. The Body scrub was… underwhelming. The Body wrap on the other hand… pure magic. I could feel the stress melting away, and yes, I might have dozed off. The Pool with view was beautiful. The Sauna and Steamroom were lovely, and the Foot bath was ridiculously relaxing. They have the Fitness center for you gym bunnies, and the Gym/fitness. The Massage was… ok. Not the best I've ever had, but not the worst. Definitely got me relaxed though.
Cleanliness & Safety (Because, You Know, 2024):
Okay, good news, folks! This hotel is obsessed with cleanliness. You’ll feel like you're living in a sterile bubble (in a good way!). They have the Anti-viral cleaning products, Cashless payment service, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hot water linen and laundry washing, Hygiene certification, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Professional-grade sanitizing services, Room sanitization opt-out available, Rooms sanitized between stays, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, and Sterilizing equipment is amazing to see!
Services & Conveniences: The Good, the Bad, and the Slightly Confusing:
Okay, so the Services and conveniences. They offer a ton: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. Phew!
The concierge was brilliant, always friendly, and they seriously knew their stuff. They helped me navigate the chaos of Delhi taxis and even scored me last-minute tickets to a show. I used the Currency exchange and Cash withdrawal and it's all pretty simple.
The most amusing part? The Convenience store. It was basically a glorified snack cupboard with some outrageously priced necessities. But hey, when you’re desperate for a Kit Kat at 2 am, you’ll pay anything, right?
Getting Around (aka, The Great Delhi Traffic Gauntlet):
They have the Airport transfer, and I'd highly recommend taking advantage of it. Delhi traffic is… a beast. They also offer Taxi service and Valet parking. I didn't use the Car park [free of charge], but it existed!
For the Kids (aka, Parental Sanity Savers):
They had Babysitting service but I didn't have kids so I couldn't test it out. They have Family/child friendly and Kids facilities, but I'm not sure how useful it would be. They Kids meal might be handy.
Quirks, Imperfections, and Overall Verdict:
You know, Hotel O is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s shiny and glamorous, with some serious wow-factor. But it's a little like a beautiful painting with a few cracks in the canvas.
The food is largely delicious. The Poolside bar is worth the price of admission. The cleanliness is top-notch, and the staff are genuinely lovely.
Hyatt Atlanta Buckhead: Thompson Hotel Luxury Unveiled!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. This ain't your grandma's meticulously planned travel brochure. This is my attempt to wrestle the chaos of a Delhi trip, specifically at the Hotel O The Star View in New Delhi & NCR, India, into something resembling an itinerary. Prepare for a rollercoaster… I’m not promising smooth transitions.
Hotel O The Star View: My Indian Odyssey – A Trainwreck in Progress
Pre-Trip Gutteral Squeal of Terror (and Excitement): Okay, okay, Delhi. India. Never been. I'm picturing a chaotic tapestry of colours, smells that'll either intoxicate or overwhelm (probably both), and noise… oh, the noise! My noise-cancelling headphones are already trembling.
Day 1: Arrival. Or, the Art of Surviving Baggage Claim.
- Morning (aka: the endless flight): Arrived at IGI Airport. The sheer scale of it was intimidating. The immigration line? Felt like I was standing in the world's longest, most boring conga line. My stomach was already protesting after that airplane food.
- Afternoon (Arrival at Hotel and settling in): Found a driver (miraculously, didn’t get scammed… yet!). The drive to the Hotel O The Star View was a sensory overload. Traffic, cows chilling in the middle of the road, tuk-tuks zipping around like angry bees… pure insanity. Hotel O… initially confused. The "view" wasn't exactly what I expected—more "vague panorama of other buildings" than "starry night." But the staff were lovely, really. And the room… well, it had air conditioning, which felt like a gift from the gods.
- Anecdote: While unpacking, I realized I’d forgotten my phone charger. Panic. Absolute, unadulterated panic. This is modern-day equivalent of being stranded on a desert island! Had to bum one off the hotel staff. Embarrassing.
- Evening: Explored the nearest area (a bit of a haphazard meander). Street food! Tried samosas. Amazing. Then, I ate a mystery thing. Probably shouldn't have. My stomach is now doing something that sounds disturbingly like a Bollywood dance number.
- Evening (continued): Attempted to sleep. The Delhi symphony of honking, barking, and general street life was… persistent. Also, my air-conditioning was doing things that sounded like a distressed walrus.
Day 2: Old Delhi: Temple of Dreams, Street Food of Nightmares
- Morning: (Or, the aftermath of a questionable street food encounter): Woke up feeling like a zombie. The stomach-dance continues. Regardless, gotta push through it!
- Morning (Continued): Hired a taxi. The driver offered to take me to some "really fantastic" places. I agreed, trying to remain optimistic.
- Morning (Continued): Attempted to visit a temple. Lost my way (surprise, surprise). Got hopelessly lost. Wandered around. Took a lot of people and crowded the streets, which I had to step away. Found a rickshaw to navigate the chaotic streets to a Temple and the chaos of the streets, the vendors yelling, the smells, the colors and the sheer energy… breathtaking
- Afternoon: Old Delhi exploration. The narrow alleyways of Chandni Chowk were electric! So many people. So many smells (good and… less good). I tried parathas – glorious. Then, jalebis – crispy, syrupy heaven. Made more food choices along the way, the risk to the stomach keeps getting bigger.
- Afternoon (Continued): The Great Spice Bazaar Incident: Okay, this deserves its own section. I entered a spice bazaar. Literally, mountains of spices in every colour imaginable. The air was thick with the smell of cinnamon, cardamom, and something I couldn’t quite place, like a hint of magic. I got SO overwhelmed, bought things I have no idea how to use, and sneezed approximately 73 times. My eyes watered. I felt like I was in a sensory vortex. The spice vendors were all incredibly friendly, beckoning me to taste their wonders. I nearly exploded. This was THE experience of the day.
- Evening: Back at the hotel. Exhausted. My stomach may or may not have started an encore performance of the Bollywood dance number. Ordered room service (bland, safe food). Contemplating the meaning of life and the wisdom of eating street food in a foreign country.
Day 3: The Calm, the Chaos, and the Curse of Laundry
- Morning: Attempted to sleep later but noise levels and my own internal dance party was not letting it happen. My face is breaking out. At least the air conditioning has stopped doing the walrus impression… for now.
- Morning (Continued): Visited a quieter park away from the noise. The peace was welcome. The birdsong was lovely.
- Afternoon: Decided to do something practical: laundry. This is where things went sideways. Found a laundry service nearby. Dropped off my clothes feeling smugly organised.
- Afternoon (Continued): Went to the markets. More chaos and more smells and more things to buy!
- Evening: Laundry… still… no laundry. The laundry service was… “delayed.” I walked back to the hotel. My patience was wearing thin. Ordered dinner (that I ended up disliking).
- Evening (Continued): The laundry finally returned (wrinkled and slightly… off-smelling). Decided to just wear the same clothes again tomorrow. Exhausted.
Day 4: Monuments and Melodramas
- Morning: Hired a taxi and headed to India Gate. Impressive. Very, very hot. Took way too many photos.
- Afternoon: Stopped at a museum. More museums. Started to feel a bit museum-ed out.
- Afternoon (Continued): The driver had a flat tire. On a busy road. Chaos again! Luckily, the driver was a pro and managed to change it quickly.
- Evening: The hotel staff had arranged for a (very touristy) cultural show and dinner as it was my last night, which had some amazing colours of clothing and dancers. The food was rich and delicious and I was overwhelmed with a sense of pure happiness and joy. The experience of the dance was a pure spectacle of sensory delight and the overall happiness and joy I felt made it an unforgettable evening.
- Evening (Continued): The cultural show was… well, it was loud. My ears are ringing and my stomach is rumbling again. But despite the noise, and the mild discomfort, the spectacle was an amazing treat.
Day 5: Departure – The Sweet, Sweet Relief
- Morning: Woke up. Packing. Checking out. Saying goodbye. The Hotel O The Star View. I’ll miss the staff. I won’t miss the noise. The room was a comfortable respite.
- Afternoon: The driver (same one from Day 1! He’s survived my shenanigans!) took me to the airport.
- Afternoon (Continued): Airport security. The security lady gave me a look that suggested she thought I was a complete mess. She wasn’t wrong.
- Departure: On the plane. Looking back at the plane going to a new world…
- Reflections: Delhi… it was intense. Overwhelming. Beautiful. Frustrating. Amazing. I loved it, I hated it, and I can’t wait to go back (eventually). The Hotel O The Star View was a decent base camp, though not exactly a palace (but hey, who needs a palace when you have samosas and spice bazaars?). And my stomach? Still recovering from the Bollywood dance, but at least it’s finally quieting down. I learned a lot, mostly about myself and my limited patience. I am already plotting my return.
So, Hotel O. Is it *really* star-studded? Like, can I expect to trip over Shah Rukh Khan in the lobby? Be honest, I need to know!
Alright, alright, no superstars. But what about the rooms? Are they actually LUXURIOUS? Or just... expensive?
Let's talk food. The reviews mention a rooftop restaurant. Is it as amazing as they say? And should you even bother?
The spa... is the spa worth it? I need a massage like I need air to breathe.
What about the staff? Are they helpful? Do they actually care, or are they just going through the motions?
Okay, the big question: Would you go back? Honestly?
