Hotel Kalka Royal — Hotel in Jammu and Kashmir

Hotel Review: Kalka Royal Hotel, Katra

I recently stayed at Kalka Royal Hotel in Katra and was extremely disappointed with my experience. Below are the key issues I encountered during my stay:

False Claims About Meals: While booking, it was clearly mentioned that breakfast and dinner were included in the package. However, upon arrival, we were outright denied both meals at the reception. This was highly unprofessional and misleading.

Inadequate Hot Water Facility: The geyser only works in the morning, making it impossible to have a warm shower in the evening. For a hotel in a pilgrimage destination like Katra, where guests often return after long treks, this is unacceptable.

Poor Staff and Service: The staff were unhelpful and unresponsive to basic requests. The level of service was far below standard, with no sense of hospitality or customer care.

Overpriced with Minimal Amenities: Despite charging a premium, the hotel offers nothing apart from the room itself. Basic amenities that are standard in hotels at this price range were entirely missing.

Better and Cheaper Alternatives Available: There are numerous hotels in Katra that provide far better facilities and services at much lower prices. Staying here felt like a poor value for money.

No Space for Movement: The hotel has no extra space for walking or relaxing within its premises, which makes the stay even more uncomfortable.

Overpriced and Unsatisfactory Food: The food at the hotel is exorbitantly priced and does not justify the cost. The quality and taste were far from satisfactory.

Verdict: I strongly advise avoiding Kalka Royal Hotel, Katra. There are far better options available that offer excellent services, better amenities, and greater value for money. This hotel failed to meet even the basic expectations of comfort and...

It's a decent hotel just in front of katra railway station. Had stayed for 3 nights in family room with kids and old aged parents. There was hiccup allocating us family room as front desk told that by 5:30pm they would give us the room till that time put us in to two different rooms. When enquired at 5:30 we were told 8:30pm, and finally at 9:30 when pressed they told by morning the room would be ready as it had not been vacated by previous family as their child was sick. I found they lacked transparency and no courtesy was shown by front desk even though it was challenge from their end. Don't know what was the fact though. There are few pros and cons - Pros: Location (just infront of the hotel there is katra railway station where you get the RFID card for vaishno devi temple darshan) They have excellent kitchen staff. Kaka was very nice and helpful. Full kudos to him for guiding and helping us. Food served is good.

Cons: They claim to be 4star hotel but it is like 2star. Rooms are not that great. Bathrooms are average. Fittings are pathetic. In one of rooms the toilet flush was leaking with full flow entire two days but no maintenance. Felt there was utter waste of water. Towels served are not great, they have loads of spots and marks. It gives you fear to use it. Room service doesn't come to clean unless you call them. Most of the hotels do give an hour grace time to check out but found here that they straight forwardly told that 12noon is check out and we would be charged extra if we stayed beyond 12.

Don't expect a lot once you come here. Would hesitate to come again as in the same money you can find...

I have given 1 star based on below pros and cons of this budget hotel: I stayed in a first floor city view room.

Pros : The location is just opposite to katra railway station, as soon as u step out, you will see the hotel right across. This is the only plus for people who are arriving by train to katra. The room is standard size, spacious enough to accommodate a family with 1 kid upto 8 yr old.

Cons : The walls and entire interior of rooms are outdated and dirty. Found dust on chair and other furniture. Worn out sofa and other furnishing. Floor was not cleaned, cld find dust on the floor. Make sure u ask them to clean the floor if u r checking in. Curtains were stained and dirty. Biggest issue I faced was HOT Water, can't believe they cannot provide such a basic facility, I complained every day they kept telling me to open the tap and wait for 3 to 4 buckets and then the hot water will come, but it did not. Worst I told them that we will start for yatra so please make sure it works but again it did not. Fortunately we went in May mid, so it was summer so we could dare to use cold water by 4 in the morning!! During my 3 days stay then never cleaned our room and replaced towels neither they kept the water bottles unless we asked for. Towels were dirty with stains all over. There was no welcome drink on arrival as mentioned on agoda website. Tea coffee machine was not working properly and the cups were too old and dirty.

Conclusion : I would never recommend this hotel if u r coming with family with kids or elderly. It was not...