Taj Dal View, Srinagar — Hotel in Jammu and Kashmir

Disappointing Experience at Vivanta Dal View, Srinagar I recently booked a stay for my parents at Vivanta Dal View in Srinagar, expecting a top-notch experience given its reputation as one of the best hotels in the region, managed by Taj. However, the reality was far from the expectations, leaving us extremely disappointed.

Check-in Experience

From the outset, things went awry. As senior citizens, my parents requested a tour of the hotel upon check-in so they could navigate the property comfortably. Shockingly, the response from the reception was, "There is nothing to see in this hotel; it’s just whatever you see here." This dismissive attitude was quite disheartening.

Dining Issues

The problems didn’t stop there. Upon inquiring about the dining options, my parents were informed that only the banquet hall was open, as all other restaurants were closed for renovations. This crucial information was neither mentioned on the website nor communicated at the time of booking, despite paying Rs 45,000 for a single night based on the amenities listed online.

Room and Service Problems

Upon settling into their room, my parents encountered further issues. The air conditioning unit made strange noises, and despite repeated complaints, no assistance was provided promptly. Additionally, the Wi-Fi connection process was cumbersome and unattended despite promises of help.

Attempts to Resolve

Being overseas, I tried contacting the hotel directly, but the contact number provided never worked. I eventually reached out to their regional office in Chandigarh, where Muskan connected me with the duty manager at Vivanta. He apologized and assured me he would personally ensure everything was sorted and meet my parents to check on their experience. Unfortunately, this promise was never fulfilled, and my parents had to fend for themselves.

Dining Disappointments

The lunch experience in the banquet hall was equally disappointing. They were served cold dishes, which were reheated upon complaint, and no finger bowls were provided. To top it off, when they ordered a salad, they received a single piece of the top part of a tomato, something one would usually discard, served in a so-called five-star hotel.

A Better Experience Elsewhere

In stark contrast, their next stay at Radisson Pahalgam was a breath of fresh air. My parents immediately felt welcomed and finally began to enjoy their vacation after the awful experience at Vivanta. The hospitality at Radisson was genuine, warm, and attentive, despite being more affordable.

Conclusion

I am thoroughly disappointed with the experience at Vivanta Dal View, Srinagar, and would not recommend it to anyone. If you’re looking for a welcoming and pleasant stay, Radisson is a far better choice, offering genuine hospitality and better...

The room ambiance has noticeably aged over time, with the wooden floor becoming a rather slippery and accident-prone surface. The bath towels, though old, are diligently maintained and clean.

The hotel's sole buggy to serve its expansive property led to extended waits, especially for elderly guests like my parents, as the other buggy was out of commission. Given the hotel's stature, one might reasonably expect a more robust backup system.

Speaking of service, the majority of the staff excelled in providing authentic Kashmiri hospitality and displayed unwavering politeness. However, there was one exception: Mr. Nayeem, who demonstrated a regrettable blend of rudeness, boorishness, and incompetence.

Moatasim, the true virtuoso of service. He made himself a veritable genie, ready to grant wishes for even the tiniest of concerns. Haneef, the buggy driver, who, compared to the rest, was good. Ishfaque at the restaurant was a revelation. He wasn't just good; he was beyond expectations. Going above and beyond to ensure our satisfaction. Ather at the front office was, well, adequate. He might not have written home about his service, but he didn't send any complaints either. Mudassir was a rather frosty character, seemingly caught in a perpetual state of constipation. He made the Ice Age look positively tropical. Nayeem, the dark cloud in the otherwise sunny service sky. He wouldn't pass muster in a Taj quality check and might just be more suited for early retirement. Basit, the cooperative comrade during the meeting. Our thanks to him for being the bright spot in an otherwise cloudy day. Aamir at the restaurant was good. As for Suraj, he had us in stitches with his question about our room number when we requested water. A classic case of misplaced priorities, perhaps? Aslam was warm, affectionate and ensured that whatever little requests we had, he attended them very sincerely. Thanks again Aslam.

Taj might want to consider hosting a "Service Boot Camp" for their restaurant staff, as the hospitality industry seems to have taken on a whole new level of finesse, leaving Taj Vivanta Dal Lake behind. It appears that Taj would benefit from enhanced training for their restaurant staff, especially in comparison to the elevated standards observed throughout the broader hotel industry. Trident Mumbai, for instance, excelled in restaurant service.

In sum, Taj Vivanta Dal Lake distinguishes itself primarily through its splendid location. Stripped of its scenic surroundings, it stands as a fairly typical establishment in the hospitality industry.

PS: During out entire stay, we don't know why there was no buffet arranged for...

I stayed at Taj Vivanta Sringar with my family - 4 pax, 2 kids aged 12 and 9 from 15th to 19th of July. This is undoubtedly the best stay I have had in many years. The property is amazing with spectacular views of the Dal Lake and you could on a clear day see the mountains up to Gulmarg from your rooms - if u have the Lake view room. The rooms are spacious, very tidy and neat and have all the amenities you could ask for.

Even more spectacular than the view is the hospitality. The entire staff made you feel so welcome and went out of their way to cater to your whims. Be it cleaning rooms late, being late for breakfast, checking on your well being, arranging for trips and suggesting tours and places to visit. They just make you feel at home at ease and enjoy your vacation.

I would like to thank Burhan from the front desk for looking after me and my family and Umar for recommending trips/ places to see. I would also like to recognize the patience and efforts from Imtiyaz, Mujeeb, Mehraj and Sheikh Arif from house keeping to cater to our needs for extra bedsheets and pillows.

Last but not the least would like to thank Jaspreet and Suraj from the restaurant/ lounge for conjuring up lovely cocktails and serving from the awesome menu - great food !!

Finally Davinder thank you for checking on us each day and ensuring we are ok and enjoying our stay. Highly recommend the Taj Vivanta Srinagar if you intend to visit Srinagar. We will see you again in Autumn...