Bloom Boutique | GK-1 — Hotel in Delhi

This is a half-decent hotel (like a UK Travelodge or lower-end Premier Inn or a French BnB) and located in a fairly affluent area (Greater Kailash) with lots of decent restaurants nearby.

The room and bathroom were clean, toilet was a decent European style and instant hot water (no ‘geyser’ switch and waiting 15 minutes like some Indian hotels). Basin leaked underneath though. Room had a safe. The room also had a small kitchen with induction cooker (not sure who’s carrying saucepans with them) and a sink. Hotel provided bottles. Fridge was handy but had been switched off and was mouldy (see pic). I mean, everyone knows you don’t ever switch off a fridge and close the door. Our room was entered and cleaned whilst out despite us not leaving a ‘clean room’ card. Annoying as all our cases and belongings were open/left out (valuables, thankfully, in the safe).

We booked a family room as were travelling with two young children, the good thing was a sliding door between our section and theirs. The only issue was when we booked we clearly stated 2 adults and 2 children aged 8. On our booking was marked ‘extra bed’. Given we had one double bed for 2 adults we assumed one double bed for 2 children. On arrival we learned it was only one single bed (I mean, why would we think it would be a single bed when we’ve clearly stated the occupancy?). The chap on reception argued that we should’ve read through all the terms and conditions (oh, really?! For checking beds. Dream on…) and that this is standard practice in India. Well, he needs to get out more because three other Indian hotels on our trip either gave our children two singles or a double. So they wanted to charge us ₹1000 per night for an extra mattress. We got it down to an extra ₹500 but still, that’s not the point. The hotel needs to state this CLEARLY on the booking. (Of course, now I’m home I will read the T&Cs and see if it’s in there).

For booking a taxi the hotel just provided a list of numbers. Being cynical I used the last one, Mand Travel, it was ₹1000 to the airport which seemed ok.

Breakfast was, of course, mainly Indian (as expected, this being India) but the ‘continental’ offering was pretty poor and unappetising. ‘Filter’ coffee was white. Black coffee you had to make from one of those cheap sachets (eeww) from hot water. The hot water dispenser hadn’t been switched on. I mean, 99% of the world serves coffee black, right, leaving the customer to add milk or sugar if they wish. Come on India, get with it. Butter was either rock hard or melted ghee. The omelettes were half decent though and the kids had Nutella so...

so this was the worst every stay of all times. i booked a suite, but the room size was just equivalent to a normal delux room. when i entered, i could easily sense lack of cleaning. there was dust everywhere except bed, and stains, tacky chip chip marks on the sofa n main table. no dedicated space for a suitcase. i asked for an upgrade for which they told me, this being their best room. their housekeeping wasn't available then n they promised to get my room deeply cleaned the very next day. the other day when i entered back into my room, nothing was touched, except the bedding was redone. infact they didn't even refreshed towels and sheets. i told them to change sheets and clean the table, for which he replied, he can't clean the table ,(idk why, cz he didn't even touch it. The stuff was lying as such in the exactly same position );and he din't have extra sheets to replace this one. the dust and hair strands on other shelves was same as yesterday and he didn't even bother to clean, even after I told him to do it again. the next day, i was in the room when i called for housekeeping. they have only one person working and in front of my eyes, he just mopped the floor, flushed twice and sprayed some surface disinfectant, that's how their deep cleaning was done. i have the pictures after he cleaned. even he didn't bother to pick up empty bottles from the floor. also, on the second day of my stay, I developed dengue and asked reception to help me bring some medicines. the other day, i saw a few pharmacies in neighborhood (just a few steps away). to this, they clearly refused to help even when i was paying them extra. in short, the stay was a nightmare with no assistance and...

Staying in the great kailash area is one of the best decisions for my first India trip! It’s quiet, safe, no walking pedestrians would ask for photos with you, and full of international cuisines and cafes nearby to fix some craving.

I’ve spent 25 days in other parts of india before returning to Delhi, so the easy access to international cuisine (Korean, Chinese, American) provide a nice balance of my homesickness.

On top of the location, the staff and services are good. They’re responsive and nice. It might take 10mins or more to fulfill some simple requests (eg. getting a new key card, sending someone to room to check AC), but i blame my impatience. The staff also suggested me to practice yoga on the terrace offering a yoga mat. I truly appreciate it.

The room was decent . It’s clean, has outer-facing windows for sunlight, ventilation is also good. But the room i stayed has some small flaws - (1) there was no door at the shower, so it’s a mini flood after every shower. (2) AC malfunctioning for a few times for a few hours. (3) sound proof not as great as some guests sound like slamming the door when trying to ensure it’s properly locked. (4) the door alarm went on for no reasons a few times, i went for morning yoga on the rooftop for an hour at 5am, realizing my door was buzzing for the entire time. i felt so sorry for my...