i am writing this to share the wonderful experience we had in a holiday where we booked the hotel basis the ratings and description provided. day 1: - we booked clarks inn express hotel in udaipur for two nights (18th and 19th october).
- we reached to the hotel on 18th in the evening around 8 pm. we went to the location by following the google map but despite of reaching that location it took us few minutes to realize that we reached to correct location. we saw a board of “patel heritage” and after a close observation we saw a board of “clarks inn express” too which will be of a size of a nameplate board. and for us it seemed to be a dream come true to get an opportunity to stay in a “patel heritage” hotel and felt like we were upgraded to 5 star. i believe it will also be a privilege for clarks inn to know how their brand are getting utilized and customers are getting mislead
- we checked in to the hotel in room number 203.
- the first thing we learnt that the restaurant was not operational on that day. another wonderful experience. afterall who wants food after a long day travel. and even if they want usually people prefer to check in the hotel and roam around explore city to have food.
- after running ac for few hours we realized that ac was not cooling. we called the reception once, twice and after few minutes hotel staff arrived. using his artificial intelligence and brilliant mind he was trying to fix the ac cooling by checking the ac remote and it’s battery. after a few arguments he somehow got convinced that it’s an ac problem. but we thought that ac is harmful to the body and environment so better to sleep in the summer or use fan.
- but our adventure is yet unfinished. we switched on the tv and realized that the tata sky account was not recharged. again we called few times on reception and an intelligent person arrived. after spending 15 minutes and arguing he mentioned that only their “sir” has access to fix this and who had left the hotel. afterall work life balance is also needed, why people will only worry about their customer all the time. so, we decided to watch our mobile and youtube on tv (thankfully their wifi was working).
- but it was not the end. just before going to bed, we realized that the door lock of the room was not working. what it means is even if we lock from inside, anyone could open it from outside without any key. this gave us a sense of security that how great the security in this hotel is that customer doesn’t need a lock. but we the low-minded people could not get comfort with that and we called the reception again. as usual after few calls they came inspected it and accepted it is not working and then they checked another room and told us that see lock is not working in another room as well. - after multiple requests from us they agreed to change the room for us and gave room number 205 where atleast ac and door lock was functioning. tv still had same issue. day 2: - our day 2 started adventure started in bathroom where we found no label in the shampoo and body wash. while we thought it as a problem but we realized that the hotel only needs a great minded customers who can figure out these. but people like us with no brain looking for labels and at the end we used the shampoo and body wash which we luckily carried with us.
- as soon as we came out from room another surprise for us was waiting. the lift was not working. they wanted customers to utilize stairs to be healthy but we lazy people wanted lift. so, while going out we again complained about it at the hotel reception. they promised that it will be fixed in few hours.
- we came late in the evening around 9 pm and realized that the lift was operational but it was not going to second floor. when we complained again no one at the hotel had any clue.
- guess what – tv was not working again. when we complained they repeated same story. “sir” has the access to fix it.
- but we were so tired that we decided not to argue and told them to leave us so that atleast we can sleep. we also informed them that we will be checking out next day early morning so they can keep things ready.
day 3:
- early morning when we checked out, as usual lift was not working.
- we asked on the reception to give us bill. the guy on reception told us to make payment first and then will give us the bill.
- they guy did not had any idea on how to print the bill, charges, etc. he kept arguing with us 15 minutes. he could not show the breakup of bill. we then asked him to call his manager and get us the invoices then only we will make payments.
- fortunately, when he called manager, he informed that all the invoices were already printed and kept in a file so he took the file and gave us invoice. we made the payment and then finally left the hotel with heavy heart. let’s summarize the issue at hotel:
- ac not working
- tv not working
- door lock not working
- lift not working
- restaurant not working
- staff had no clue
- poor customer service