Taj West End, Bengaluru — Hotel in Bengaluru

Had the misfortune of believing the hype and reviews about Taj West End as one of those legendary hotels in Bangalore. Having stayed at Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur before, planned and organized my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary celebrations for a couple of nights stay at this hotel, including my brother and I, through their Urban Getaway Package.

From the very beginning, we had a poor experience. The staff were disorganized, uninformed and poorly trained. As a foreign guest, it wasn’t clear to me that I had to bring a secondary piece of Indian photo ID. Thankfully, I had a screenshot on my phone.

Next came the hospitality welcome drink that was offered at the reception (tea / coffee) that did not arrive, not without begging and having to follow up multiple times after which it finally arrived to the room, almost an hour and a half after check in.

The rooms were dirty, the walls stained, the flooring old and in need of upgrade. There was a damp stench of mould and mildew from the rooms. Upon asking for the room to be cleaned by housekeeping, the hotel staff kept on insisting that the odour could be resolved with air freshener alone. Other excuses were made not worth mentioning.

A tour of the facility was announced for 5 pm. When I arrived at the concierge, the lady at the desk was perplexed, asking me instead to provide her with the time. The buildings although charming, were dilapidated and in disrepair. Hard to imagine how celebrities and famous personalities, the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Amitabh Bachchan, the then Prince Charles, and the like would vouch to stay here as was being touted by our tour guide.

Next came the food. There was a great deal of confusion with the restaurant staff as to what was included in our package and who should have to pay for what. My father is ex-army and was entitled to an additional discount. The table mats were dirty. The service was sloppy. We had to ask several times for water, silverware, etc. before it was provided. An argument ensued at the end of the meal because the wait staff would not recognize my father’s military discount that was pre-negotiated as part of the package. Separately, worth stating, the hot food for breakfast, which was also included in our package, was cold. One morning I tried to use the toaster and it broke in my presence. I asked for an omelette that did not arrive before a few additional nudges.

What was most off putting was the preferential treatment being provided to so-called VIPs. My mother is unable to walk without assistance. Upon noticing another vehicle parked close to the wing in which we were staying, I asked if we could do the same. The response was shocking. Apparently the person was an MLA and therefore an exception was being made. Did not expect this from Taj group of hotels.

Having been in the service industry for some time, I understand the importance of service quality and client experience. Looks like the issues here at the hotel are structural and start at the very top with the hotel management. When one pays five star rates, one should expect five star experience. This hotel is an imposter pretending to be a five star hotel with a three star experience. Full points for the legendary old world charm, zero for the hospitality, cleanliness, upkeep and service.

This hotel is way past its prime. If you are looking for a truly luxurious, delightful experience, I would recommend ITC Gardenia or the Leela Palace in Bangalore, if nothing else for a meal to experience...

My recent stay at the renowned Taj West End in Bengaluru was nothing short of a fairy tale come true. From the moment I stepped foot on the lush, green property, I was greeted with warm hospitality and immersed in an atmosphere of timeless elegance.

The gastronomic journey at Taj West End surpassed all expectations. The hotel's diverse dining options offered a delightful fusion of flavors, satisfying even the most discerning palates. "Blue Ginger," the hotel's Vietnamese fine-dining restaurant, was an unforgettable experience. From the first bite of their signature Pho to the mouthwatering lemongrass-infused grilled prawns, every dish was an explosion of authentic Vietnamese taste.

Equally impressive was "Mynt," the all-day dining restaurant, which presented an array of culinary delights that catered to various preferences. The extensive buffet spread was a visual treat, showcasing dishes from different regions of India and the world. The live counters, where skilled chefs prepared dishes to order, added an interactive and personalized touch to the dining experience.

The luxurious lodging at Taj West End was truly a sanctuary of comfort and elegance. My suite exuded a perfect blend of modern sophistication and traditional charm. The plush bed with premium linens offered a restful night's sleep, and the spacious living area provided an inviting space to unwind and enjoy the picturesque views of the hotel's enchanting gardens.

The attention to detail in every aspect of the room was commendable. From the elegant décor to the thoughtful amenities, the hotel ensured that every guest's needs were not only met but exceeded. The marble-clad bathroom with its deep-soaking tub and exquisite toiletries was a haven of relaxation after a day of exploration.

Taj West End's commitment to impeccable service shone through at every turn. The staff was attentive, courteous, and always ready to go the extra mile to ensure an exceptional stay. Their genuine warmth and dedication made me feel like a valued guest throughout my visit.

The lush and expansive gardens that surround the property were a true oasis within the bustling city of Bengaluru. Taking leisurely strolls amidst the flora and fauna provided a sense of tranquility and escape from the outside world.

In terms of cleanliness and safety, Taj West End's stringent measures were evident, and I felt at ease throughout my stay. The hotel's commitment to the well-being of its guests was reassuring and added to the overall sense of comfort and relaxation.

In conclusion, Taj West End in Bengaluru is a luxury retreat that captures the essence of grandeur and culinary excellence. The fusion of impeccable dining experiences, opulent lodging, and warm hospitality makes this hotel a destination in itself. Whether you are a food enthusiast seeking gourmet adventures or a traveler in search of refined comfort, Taj West End will undoubtedly leave you with cherished memories and a longing to return.

Highly recommended to anyone seeking an enchanting escape in the heart...

I have stayed in taj properties but i have never had this bad experience before. Right on entering, there was no valet, no instructions on where to park, nobody to help with luggage. There was a crowd waiting with us and we had to wait for sometime to get someone to help with our luggage and valet parking. The checkin time given is 2pm and we reached at 2:10pm. We were told the room isn’t ready so we decided to have lunch instead in loya. Which was very tasty and interesting. So 10/10 for loya and it’s staff. But the room wasn’t assigned to us till 3:30 and that too we had to ask the front desk for our room. They told us we had been upgraded to another room, but the upgraded room just has a larger bed and a “sitting area” within the room. We had initially booked a room with description of having a “private veranda”. When we raised this with the front desk we were connected to a lady who rudely told us that we had booked a room in “heritage wing” which has only common veranda. Then we were shifted to another room having the private veranda. We got this at around 4pm. The next day, for breakfast we were not informed by anyone where it was so we found one of the gardeners outside and asked them where the breakfast was and they guided us. When we reached at around 9:30 am we were told that we had to wait as they had no tables available for seating us. We waited for about 20 mins and were assigned a table. Every staff member was too busy to even help us with water or plates. While checking out we had requested help with luggage. The person who picked our luggage told us that he will be picking another room occupants too. Which was perfectly fine. But maybe they weren’t ready and then he proceeded to complain about them to us saying “why did they say they were ready if they wanted to sit in veranda. Wasting my time” When we raised the above issues while checking out to the front desk, the rude lady from before tells the person on front desk in front of us “we had upgraded them so they are talking about some other description so that is sorted no need to worry about this”. All we said as a suggestion is that please change the description and images you’ve given online to match the actual rooms.

Insanely rude staff. My suggestion to all coming here is please go to oberoi Bangalore instead. We had a ten times better experience than this. Especially with the front desk staff. I don’t remember the name of this lady but would definitely suggest the management...