I recently stayed at Hotel Arihant By DLS Hotels, located on the main Haridwar-Dehradun highway. My experience was generally positive, with comfortable accommodation and a convenient location, especially for visitors planning a visit to Shantikunj. However, a few aspects could be improved to enhance the guest experience further.
Location: 5/5 This hotel enjoys a strategic position right on the main Haridwar-Dehradun highway, making it easily accessible by road. It’s particularly ideal for those visiting Shantikunj, which is just a short distance away. Whether you're in town for spiritual reasons or just passing through, the location adds great value.
Room Comfort & Cleanliness: 4.5/5 The rooms are impressively spacious, well-furnished, and offer a cozy environment. Beds are comfortable, and there's ample space to relax or work. Cleanliness is maintained well in both rooms and bathrooms. The washrooms were hygienic and looked freshly cleaned, which was reassuring. That said, there were a few issues: there was no door to the bathroom, which led to water spilling into the outer area during showers. Towel hangers or racks were missing, making it inconvenient to manage wet towels. Lighting was sufficient, but could be enhanced for better ambiance, especially in the evenings.
Housekeeping & Hygiene: 4/5 Housekeeping staff maintains hygiene standards decently. However, there was a significant delay in towel provision—they were reportedly sent for laundry and not available when I checked in. Hotels should ideally have backup towels ready to avoid this inconvenience. Also, the fridge in the room was empty, which felt like a missed opportunity for added comfort.
Staff Service: 4.5/5 The hotel staff were polite, courteous, and helpful throughout the stay. Their welcoming attitude stood out and made the experience feel more personal and pleasant. From reception to room service, everyone was accommodating.
Food & Dining: 3/5 This is an area where the hotel can do much better. The food was just average—neither bad nor memorable. It served the purpose but lacked finesse or distinctive taste. The breakfast buffet was limited but had decent options and was well-prepared. The rooftop restaurant provides a nice view of the city, which adds to the dining atmosphere. Prices for food are not high, which is a plus. However, quality and taste need improvement.
Amenities: 3.5/5 The hotel offers several key amenities: free Wi-Fi with decent speed, power backup in case of outages, a mini fridge in the room (though unstocked), and keycard entry system, though it was a bit erratic—sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. No bathroom door or towel rack, as mentioned earlier, affected the overall convenience. These small but important improvements could elevate the comfort level significantly.
Booking & Occupancy: 4/5 The hotel tends to be fully booked during weekends, so planning and booking your stay in advance is highly recommended. The high occupancy indicates its popularity, particularly among people visiting Shantikunj.
Suggestions for Improvement: Maintain backup towels to avoid delays due to laundry cycles Install proper bathroom doors to prevent water from spreading to the entire washroom area Add towel hangers or racks in the bathroom for guest convenience Improve food quality and taste, even if it means a slight increase in price Stock basic food or drink items in the mini fridge and offer them as chargeable options Improve the reliability of keycard systems, as consistent access is essential Increase room lighting slightly to create a more vibrant and welcoming feel
Hotel Arihant By DLS Hotels is a great budget-friendly option, especially for those visiting Shantikunj or looking for a clean and accessible stop along the Haridwar-Dehradun route.
As a Google Level 6 Reviewer, I recommend Hotel Arihant By DLS Hotels for its convenient location near Shantikunj, spacious rooms, and polite staff—though minor improvements in amenities and food quality would...
Read moreArihant in Rishikesh: A Hotel Rife with Deceit and Internal Chaos:
Our stay at Arihant in Rishikesh was a disheartening and chaotic ordeal that I feel compelled to share as a cautionary tale for future travelers. From the moment we entered the premises, we were ensnared in a web of deceit and internal chaos that marred what was meant to be a serene retreat.
The troubles began with a barrage of hidden charges that seemed to emerge out of thin air. To my disbelief, I was charged for simple amenities such as Wi-Fi, which is a basic expectation in this day and age. As we sought clarification from the staff, it became evident that they lacked a common understanding of the hotel's pricing structure, reflecting severe internal communication issues.
To compound our frustration, the staff insisted on an unwarranted room "upgrade" that we neither requested nor approved. Refusing this deceitful ploy led to further confusion, as different employees conveyed conflicting information regarding our billing. It was as if each staff member operated in isolation, without any coordination or cooperation within the establishment.
The tipping point was reached when the staff, apparently frustrated by their own internal disarray, turned hostile and threatened to involve the police over our refusal to pay these exorbitant and undisclosed charges. This incident, more than anything else, highlighted the utter dysfunction within Arihant.
As if the internal chaos wasn't enough, our room was far from the haven we expected. Dilapidated furnishings, a malfunctioning air conditioner, and a bathroom in dire need of cleaning were just the beginning. Additionally, the hotel's proximity to a boisterous nightclub ensured that sleep was a distant dream.
In conclusion, I strongly advise travelers to steer clear of Arihant in Rishikesh. The blend of unethical business practices, an unscrupulous approach to billing, and the profound internal chaos tarnish what could have been a peaceful experience in the heart of Rishikesh. It is a place where guests are not only mistreated but are also caught in the crossfire of internal miscommunication, creating an atmosphere of perpetual turmoil and frustration. Save yourself the heartache and choose a different haven for your stay in this...
Read moreMy recent experience at this hotel was nothing short of a nightmare. I'm compelled to share my harrowing encounter to warn others about the appalling treatment I received.
From the moment we checked in, there was a constant push to extract more money from us. It started innocuously enough, with the front desk staff claiming additional charges for supposed "amenities" that were never disclosed during the booking. This included a ludicrous fee for using the hotel's Wi-Fi, something that's typically considered a standard inclusion in most establishments.
As if that wasn't enough, things took an even more sinister turn when they insisted we pay for what they described as "upgraded" accommodations, despite the fact that we had already prepaid for a specific room category. When we refused, the situation escalated quickly, and the staff became aggressive and confrontational.
Their intimidation tactics reached their zenith when they physically blocked our exit from the hotel and threatened to call the police if we didn't pay the unjustified charges. Feeling trapped and fearing for our safety, we eventually had no choice but to call the police ourselves for assistance.
It is utterly unconscionable for any hotel to engage in such deceitful and coercive practices. The lack of professionalism and empathy displayed by the staff was staggering, and it left a deep scar on what was supposed to be a relaxing trip.
Beyond the financial extortion, the hotel's physical conditions were also subpar. The room was dirty and poorly maintained, with shoddy furniture and outdated fixtures. The noise from a nearby construction site made sleep nearly impossible. The overall ambiance was far from the peaceful retreat we had anticipated.
In summary, I would advise anyone considering a stay at this hotel to think twice. My experience here was marred by a toxic blend of unscrupulous business practices and deplorable customer service. It is crucial to avoid this place at all costs to prevent enduring the same ordeal I...
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