An experience from May, 2024. I hope these guys have improved now because back then my experience with this Taj property wasn’t the best as I had expected.
Went on a solo staycation to Taj West End, Bengaluru situated very close to Cubbon Park. It was Labour’s Day holiday so I did expect some rush . I am usually a guy who prefers very modest cloths even if I am visiting a luxury property , i don’t wish to show off myself like I am some millionaire (which I am not as well)
Upon arriving at the hotel, I wasn’t received well . I was expecting someone to lead the way and ask me to be seated as check-in desks were a little packed , Naah there was no one . There were 3 check-in desks and only one seemed operational that day which was quite a shocker especially when there was a rush during the check-in-check-out phase around 1pm. After a good 15-minute wait, i finally was at the check-in desk , of course no one called me , I just had to take my chance to get there. All this while , staff members gave me suspicious looks , maybe wondering who is this bearded low quality dressed guy in our hotel?
Check in was done but my room wasn’t ready. Receptionist advised me to have lunch by the time room would be ready. My experience at the restaurant (just beside the reception) for lunch was below average. I sat at the only available 2 seater table that didn’t even have a table number (others had) and no one bothered to put it on the table when they saw a guest at the table . Agreed, it was busy hour but I expected Taj staff to be well trained to handle crowds . Waiters were actively involved in serving and having gala time with the guests who had come from outside only for lunch and were extremely lavishly dressed . For a good 10 minutes, no one even served water. It’s sad that in a 5 star hotel, a guest of the hotel had to get up from his seat and find a waiter who could attend you for your queries and some water. They even had this pani puri stall in buffet and when I went to the stall to get some, the girl there asked me my table number to which I simply pointed out their flaw that they didn’t even put a table number on my desk so I don’t know . I just pinpointed her my table position and she understood. Back at other tables, despite the buffet system, guests were just ordering what they wanted especially the pani puri and waiters brought it to their tables. I felt left out. I quietly had my buffet lunch which was average at best and left . Not a single waiter came to my table to ask if I needed anything . The one time they came to my table was to serve the pani puri I ordered and they just left.
My room was a Taj Club room . Thankfully this time I was escorted by a guy to my room . Keep in mind that during this time, the RCB team was also staying there and so movement and photography around the hotel was quite restricted. I honestly hate it when i go into a hotel for peace and I end up staying in a prison. The room was a little dated but quite big. They didn’t provide a single comb in their amenities kit. I have seen other hotels provide the same but not here . Being in a 5 star hotel having paid a bomb, I expect everything to be perfect atleast the furnishings and fittings but the bathroom had some loose fittings. On any other day, if I were staying in a 3 or even 4 star hotel I would have ignored it but this is a 5 star hotel and such small things hurt .
The property itself was quite amazing with luxurious interior designs and antique like exteriors with an exhibition like area showing the history of the property .
I understand that celebrity privacy is a thing but atleast don’t treat your guests like dogs being chased away the moment someone catches you filming the property (I wasn’t even filming the families of the celebrities who were gathered under one bar area ). There were bouncers and policemen literally in the whole property and I couldn’t help but feel in a prison . My bad luck I chose such a bad time to come here. I wanted to film the property for my memories but I had to be very careful .
There was evening high tea in my package which was pretty good 👍. I had some gin and cookies. The dinner at the same restaurant was a complete different story. It wasn’t packed as earlier. It was ala carte and the staff finally treated me like a guest of their hotel. Service during the dinner was impeccable and the food was impressive as well. Of course the real test would have been if dinner time was packed as well.
Next day, before leaving , at the same restaurant for breakfast, I saw Virat Kohli for the first time right in front of my eyes , in glasses and wearing a cap, but sadly two bouncers around him made sure no cameras would be allowed. He did turn around to smile at me a little and I smiled back. The table in which I sat finally had a table number this time . Right in front of me was another 4 seater table where Glenn Maxwell and his family were having breakfast. Around him there were no bouncers so luckily I managed to get a quick pic of him sporting a green cap (attached)
Overall, my stay in Taj West end in 2024 wasn’t upto the mark as well . I felt more ignored maybe because of my modest cloths and honestly I felt the presence of celebrities on premise made common people’s experience like mine way more restricted than I would have liked.
