Sep 29, 2008 12:58 PM
4080 Views
I must review this hotel as the property has not received its due on this site. Travellers to Udaipur will benefit from this Value-for-money luxury hotel.
The reasons are its top management and location. It is owned by Oberoi group whose other property--Udai Villas hotel was rated the best hotel in the world in 2007 and remains among the top 5 even in 2008. Trident shares its location with the illustrious hotel--as both the hotels are entered through the same gate. Hence you get the advantage of a heritage location, 5 star stay----albeit at less than half the rates.
Udai Vilas rooms cost 25000 rs to 1.5 lacs per day, while Trident rooms are just 10 thousand per day for a couple, including taxes.
The next best reason for staying at Trident is their excellent service. The staff is ever available, smiling, and never appear intrusive--they let you be while remaining at your beck and call. Example--when you are at the breakfast table, they remain far away and you can eat and talk away to glory. Yet, the moment your coffee cup is empty, a waiter will appear within seconds with a steaming coffee pot.
The 3rd and main reason which impressed me was the '-NO TIPS' policy. In no part of the world are rates so transparent. Room service menus list the all inclusive prices, so the final bill will not have any luxury tax, VAT or room service charges. Prominent displays request you not to tip for room service---this is a big headache off one's head-----tips are such a pain esp in U.S.A. and most countries.
Affordable rates of drinks is yet another attraction. 5 star hotels in Delhi and Mumbai charge 10 times the market rates for beer and whisky. At Trident the rates were hardly double of the vendor rates. So you could take the mineral water from the room mini-bar for just 30 rs. Beer for 120 rs, whisky for 200 rs a peg.
I was most impressed by the quality of their beds. The mattresses and the pillows were the softest I have seen anywhere in my life. At a place like Udaipur, you need to stay in the hotel a lot as sight-seeing is not much. The softness of the beds takes away your fatigue--it was definitely more comfy to lie down in the bed and relax.
They have all the minor luxuries of a 5 star hotel----a great parlour, gym, swimming pool, lavish spread of the free breakfast, helpful staff who arrange all your bookings. They also have a free astrologer on call---he comes within an hour of your request. A nice walking trail, a min-zoo, green surroundings and comfortable lobby are all there.
Trident is emerging as a favourite destination for business travellers all over India. However, this Trident at Udaipur is strongly recommended for those who want to spend quality time for relaxation.
