Hotel Shangri-La Regency — Hotel in West Bengal

Darjeeling is usually cluttered with hotels, guest houses and homestays these days all claiming that they are perfect or close to perfection when it comes to meeting tourist needs whence on vacation. I one my frequent annual exploits to Darjeeling have come across several of these institutions some of which have come close to their claims and some of them so far away from it that it made me wonder of how they are still in business. But Shangrila Regency by a landslide and a bit more lies in the former category of places which have kept its promises. The rooms are cosy, well designed with an added bonus of simple well placed Tibetan motifs and touches on their mirrors. The beds soft warm and cosy and the blankets warm enough to keep the harsh chill of winter Darjeeling away. The pillows soft and just right a balance plenty of best inns in the world struggle to get right still. The verandah attached to the room spacious and boasting ample views if you are on 200 numbered rooms and legendary views if you are on the floor with 300 numbered rooms. The attic rooms are also splendid with room 503 having knockout views. The bathrooms were neat and clean and spacious. The showers working flawlessly with a geyser which delivers. The amenity kit with all the basic amenities that one could think of. Clean towels changed once a day whence given access to daily room cleaners. The room cleaning fast and efficient leaving no space for complaints. The reception management always with a smile on their face and ready to help you with your every need to make sure you are indeed going splendid vacation without any hitches. The hotel staff courteous and always available at the moments notice. Extra perks for delivering forks, knives and plates, cola bottles on cold winter Darjeeling nights even when the clock struck 11. The breakfast lounge has to be their pièce de résistance with the views it has to offer and the food that they serve, both being flawless in delivering awe and taste. The lounge can be used any time to chill and have a chat with family while listening to some music and sitting by the fire and enjoying stunning views out of the windows any time of the day or evening. The food also gets an A+ on my report sheet. All in all this hotel in Darjeeling comes as close flawlessness as I have witnessed. My family and I enjoyed a great vacation at Queen of the Hills this December which was made even more memorable and stress-free due to this hotel with some great employees. One thing I can tell is - that when I am back next winter which I most certainly shall, this hotel will be one of my topmost choices where I do wish...

We have made a blunder by paying them the entire amount in advance and, they took full advantage of it. We stayed their for 3 days and they didn't even bothered to come and ask for the cleaning services.

When we asked them about the cleaning service they said cleaning services are available from 9 am to 4 pm, it is a bit strange timing because tourists usually don't stay in the hotel during that particular time span.

There was another option we could handover the room keys but the dubious behavior of the room services guy made us a bit suspicious.

In the first day when we reached the hotel in the evening tired and exhausted, we asked the room service guy if they can get as the food for us as they don't have fooding system. The room service guy straight away told us only if we order from a restaurant of their choice then only he will get the food for us. Moreover, the guy took out a menu page of that restaurant and insisted us to order the expensive non-vegetarian foods and if we order vegetarian or low priced food he cannot ensure to bring that.

Second day was more painful as there was no water supply and we don't have water after using the toilet. After repeated request they got us a bucket of water and the room service guy kept that bucket of water on our room's doorstep. I stood their and watched his face in disbelief; after a few seconds he realized that and took the bucket to our bathroom's doorstep and began to leave. Then I had to say him to keep the bucket inside the bathroom in an appropriate place.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TREAT A GUEST

They didn"t even provided us with the complementary water, which they have committed.

On the 3rd when I brought up the issue with the management desk; they brought two bottles of water one for the 2nd day and one for the 3rd day and asked as to pay for one bottle.

I had to explain them they are wrongfully charging the amount.

CHARGING FOR COMPLEMENTARY WATER.

We have purchased most of the drinking water from the outside but it's not about a single bottle but they should kept their commitment.

In these 3 days we didn't get the cleaning service and the room became dirty and filthy.

They not even bothered to change the towels.

As we are facing these problems the hotel stuffs we're enjoying themselves in the empty cafeteria of the by playing loud music.

We have faced mismanagement to the core and, still regretting our decision to pay them in advance otherwise we could have left the hotel in the first day itself.

VERY UNPROFESSIONAL AND INHUMANE STAFF AND MANAGEMENT! I AM GREATFUL TO GOD THAT WE CAME OUT ALIVE OF THAT HOTEL OR...

We stayed here for 3nights but unfortunately there was a cable fault which had lead to usage of power backup for almost 1.5 days leading to our room filled with diesel smell and making us choked. Although the staff and hotel managers assured us and took utmost care like providing hot water bags & warm water in buckets/ jugs in absence of the room heater and geyser during this period of faulty mains. The pros of this hotel is it's in near proximity of mall road, awesome view of the mountain from the rooms (barring rooms in first floor), they do provide an extra bed (please check the condition of the bed) in case a 3rd person travels with you. Rooms may look small,but have all the amenities. Availability of complimentary breakfast which tasted good. The hotel allows you to bring outside food ( no in house restaurant)and will provide you cutlery in case of need though. Attic rooms are having best views of mountain. Below are the cons for the hotel, unless you book a room with higher price you may be given a non view room at first floor. The additional bed was broken and was in a pathetic condition, upon being asked to change we were told that it's the only available bed with them. (Later we were asked to not to pay for it, since the condition was really poor). Taxis may not want to come down to the hotel gate during day time citing reasons like one way and road jams. And the last one is, the hotel does not have in house restaurant. So in case of lunch and dinner you have to walk out happily with friends and family. The hotel allows you to bring outside food and will provide you cutlery in case of need though. As it's a budget hotel with good scenic views form room, for tourists who look out for stretching their hands/legs may find it difficult doing so here as the rooms are compact. No lift in the hotel so may cause an issue for aged/elderly as they may need to climb up stairs for taking breakfast. Overall verdict of the hotel is good, with nice behavior and...