Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR — Hotel in Haryana

Stayed for 3 nights at Taj Vivanta. Following are my impressions of the entire stay

Property : The property at one time would have been magnificent. However it is now showing its age and is in need of serious renovation. I had 2 rooms (456 & 458) and there was serious water damage right outside 456 (pics attached). Also the room had bathroom door latch that was not functioning, shower door that was not closing properly and the wooden floor was full of scratches (maybe caused by pets since they are pet friendly). After a couple of days I saw that their house keeping staff was applying a coat on the wall outside my door and some other places on the 4th floor with the same damage. Unfortunately this band aid approach is not expected from a 5 star in Taj’s stable of hotels. The wash room is also pretty small and cramped. All in all a 1 star on this count.

Service : The service swung between 2 extremes – the exceptional and the forgettable. Some of them were exceptional however a lot of the serving staff especially during breakfast hours would deliberately avoid eye contact, cluster together and literally roll up their eyes if requested for anything like a coffee latte. In House keeping Manish Kumar and Puja were exceptional in helping out in getting a firmer bed for alleviating my bad back. Aman from In House Dining personally came after their previous server kept messing up – on the order and the attitude. In the restaurant the server Neeraj and Suraj (dosa chef) and Susheel (egg, waffle, pan cakes) were great. The others were very sub par and need serious training and made to understand that they are not in a government department and the customer is not a pain. It is here that Taj seriously needs to understand what can be done and could take a leaf from competitor Marriot’s book since they have this as a strong point. The gems can be used as benchmarks and mentors for their peers. A 2.5 stars cause the few stars saved the show!

Food : On Thursday and Friday the food quality both breakfast and in-room dining was below average and on Saturday and Sunday it was good. The breakfast menu is adequate, however, it is not luxurious. The puzzling thing is that Taj despite being in the hotel business for decades has either forgotten the basics or does not believe in them. In most 5 stars the tables have a number on a small plaque and when you order, lets say, an omelet you just tell the egg counter what you want, which is noted by them in a list and your table number and it gets delivered. Here there is no such thing and you just tell them the broad direction and hope it gets delivered. I had mine nearly delivered to another table and orders of others delivered to mine. Also I fail to understand why nearly 50% of the staff do not have name tags (you have to ask them) – anonymity results in atrocious service since the gems will not be motivated and the lumps of coal are not bothered. Three stars for this category.

An interesting aspect is that both service and food were good on Saturday and Sunday and below average on the weekdays that I was there – Thursday and Friday. Another thing which is surprising is that for a 5 star hotel they just have 1 phone line.

The hotel is also pet friendly and saw at least 3 families staying with their dogs who were on leashes on hotel premises – lobbies, outside sitting areas and lifts – more than I have seen in my combined stay at many 5 stars. If you have a pet then this is a great option, however, in case you are not or have any allergies then this might pose an issue.

All in all a Taj stay in the 80s and 90s was the pinnacle of luxury experience, however, of late the multi national hotel chains have raised the bar and Taj under the Tatas needs to bring their A game if they want to...

It’s actually a turn of fate that is leading me to write this kind of a review. I was going to give this place a 5 star review until a phone call disturbed my spa session at their extraordinary JIVA. I can’t give beyond 2.5 now.First the good things:1. The newly renovated Paranda serves very good Punjabi food. 2. JIVA spa here is the best I’ve been to in India especially because the therapist (Lha) knew what she was doing. Give her a raise!3. Stunning view from both my rooms.4. Gurleen at reception is FABULOUS and the check in process was smooth. She also accommodated my requests. 5. It’s a GREAT hotel all in all. BUT 1. After checking out from one of the rooms (other one was occupied by teen daughter and her 2 friends. This was birthday staycation cum party), I had to go for my spa session. All bills were settled. The caller from reception asks me to come over because “we swiped your card for X amount when you checked out but money didn’t come to us. We need to see the proof.”2. When My daughter and her friends checked out (I was still in the spa) she was told the same. Fortunately, she had my handbag with my cards AND the CC receipt I had saved. I usually never ask for the customer copy but I’m SO GLAD THAT I DID THIS TIME.3. Now, nowhere in the world will you ask to give a proof for the payment already made and embarrass your patron. The reception staff did it TWICE.4. When I raised it at the time of leaving the hotel, not even a sincere apology was extended. Only, “we’ll try to figure out why this was done”.5. Minor irritants that I could have ignored but am unwilling to do so now: there was absolutely NOTHING in the minibar. Not even a can of soda. Heck, I had to call the room service to get the glasses. No fruit/snack/nuts/cookies. Yes, sometimes people like a quick munch—especially to take medicines—and can’t wait for room service. Yes, we can happily pay for minibar contents. 6. The fridge in my room wasn’t working. When I checked out, I took the Coke can that I ordered last night * to the poolside while I awaited my spa appoin**ent. The beverage was warm and I requested for ice. I was asked if the can was bought in-house before they provided service. Whoa! If you are reading this, Taj Surajkund guys, please check my room service bill. 7. And this takes the cake—on the drive back home the girls (14, 15 and 16) told me that someone knocked at their door multiple times during the night. When they looked through the magic eye, they saw an eye staring back. They got scared as hell but didn’t wake me up because they know I sleep early. Each time the knock happened, they’d get into a huddle and clutch a glass bottle each in case a break-in happened. They were scared to call the reception because they probably didn’t want nuisance on a hard-earned pajama afterparty. Maybe it was a badly behaved guest who was pulling this prank…they thought.Again, I could have let this slide but not now…this is not what one expects in India’s oldest hotel chains. So, what was supposed to be a fun, relaxing, and uplifting staycation turned into something of a bitter aftertaste. And after having spent A LOT OF MONEY for just one night staycation, I am forced to leave this...

I recently had the pleasure of staying at the Vivanta Taj Hotel in Surajkund, and I must say it was an absolutely delightful experience from start to finish. This luxurious hotel exceeded my expectations in every way, and I'd like to share my positive review, highlighting some of the key aspects that truly stood out during my stay.

Ambience Quality: The moment I entered the hotel's grand lobby, I was captivated by the elegant and soothing ambience. The intricate design, rich color schemes, and tasteful decor created an atmosphere of opulence and comfort. Whether I was lounging in the lobby, dining at the restaurant, or relaxing in my room, the ambience consistently exuded a sense of luxury and tranquility that made my stay truly memorable.

Food: The culinary experience at Vivanta Taj Surajkund was a gastronomic delight. The hotel offers a wide range of dining options, each with its own unique charm. From the sumptuous buffet breakfast at Oasis to the exquisite Indian cuisine at Paranda, every meal was a treat for the senses. The quality of ingredients, presentation, and the expertise of the chefs truly shone through in every dish. Special commendation to the staff for their impeccable service and willingness to accommodate dietary preferences.

Pool: The hotel's pool area is a hidden gem. Surrounded by lush greenery and well-maintained landscaping, it offered a serene and refreshing escape from the bustling city. Whether I wanted to take a leisurely swim or simply bask in the sun on a comfortable lounge chair, the pool area provided the perfect setting. It's a fantastic spot to unwind and recharge.

Rooms and Cleanliness: My room was a haven of comfort and sophistication. The attention to detail in the room's design and furnishings was evident, and I felt pampered throughout my stay. What impressed me the most was the impeccable cleanliness maintained in every corner of the room and the entire hotel premises. The housekeeping staff did an outstanding job, ensuring that my room was always spotless and well-stocked with amenities.

In conclusion, my stay at Vivanta Taj Surajkund was nothing short of exceptional. The ambience, food, pool, and room cleanliness all contributed to a luxurious and memorable experience. The staff's professionalism and warmth added an extra layer of hospitality that made me feel truly welcome. I can wholeheartedly recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a top-notch getaway in the Surajkund area. Thank you, Vivanta Taj, for making my stay so remarkable, and I can't...