Aug 13, 2006 11:53 AM
3302 Views
Built as a show case of Indian Hospitality and envisaged as a multifacted focal point of all to do with India Tourism, then in the early fifties and said to have been personally supervised at project stage by Pt. Nehru, Ashok hotel of ITDC was once really the pride of India. Best location, trained staff, finest dining et al. ITDC- India Tourism Development Corporation looked after, hotels, travel, transportation, flight catering, training, duty free etc. But then there was not really the private sector.
Once professionalism and private sector came in in the country, the Ashok deteriorated. One by one nearly 30 Ashok properties were disinvested. The most powerful hotel chain collapsed.
Flagship hotel Ashok, New Delhi still remains--- patronised mostly by Government. Surviving solely due to political and beaurocratic interests. Highly demotavied staff, lack of initiative, training, nepotism, external pressures, lack of professional heads at CMD level etc, are its virtues at present. Insensitive staff, poorly trained, old uniforms, cockroaches in rooms, poor maintenance, dripping taps, lack of renovation in some areas, and above all - a Sarkari way of functioning etc is common.
During a recent stay I found the staff as always, extra eager / pressing for tips. Fruit basket did not have fresh fruits. Complimentary cookies in room were soggy. Bed linen was soggy too and damp. AC during summer was not effective. High loud speaker noise for announcements to drivers during entire night bothered rooms facing front of building. Bathroom has less light over mirror for shaving. Bathroom shower water pressure was too low. Toilet paper--was like butter paper---very very poor quality and least effective. There is perhaps only one iron board with a very shabby iron which shuttles from room to room. A steam iron will do better. No fresh flowers in room. Shopping arcade is like a tout street, Bank is rickety and monumental in appearance. It is not worth the money spent and overall stay was poor.
Good aspects: best location, excellent food--perhaps the best in Delhi. over friendly staff.
Over all comments: Not the best choice for the tariff / amount paid....poor facility/service/product
