Muscatel Stardust - Chowrasta Mall Road — Hotel in West Bengal

Hotel Muscatel Stardust, Darjeeling: A Disastrous Experience||Our stay at Hotel Muscatel Stardust in Darjeeling was fraught with challenges from the moment we arrived, leading to an overwhelmingly unsatisfactory experience.||Unreliable Reception and Poor Coordination||Upon arrival, as per Mr. Dipen’s instructions, we called the hotel reception five minutes before reaching our drop-off point at Bhanu Bhawan, located about 500 meters from the hotel. Our driver promptly unloaded our luggage and left, as the drop-off point was not suitable for parking. Despite our call, no hotel staff was present to assist us. Suddenly, a heavy downpour began, soaking us and our luggage. Forced to hire a porter for ₹150/- who had a plastic cover for our bags, we waited for ten minutes before the hotel attendant arrived without an umbrella, testing our patience to its limit.||Uncooperative and Rude Staff||Upon reaching the hotel, we had to navigate 8-9 steps down to the reception. Confronting Dipen about the lack of assistance, his response was uncooperative and dismissive. His primary focus seemed to be scrutinizing us—a family of four with two 12-year-old twins—rather than addressing our concerns. His demeanor was notably rude and showed no empathy for our predicament.||Booking Issues and Inflexible Policies||Our booking through Booking.com indicated accommodation for four persons in a double bed valley view room, secured with a 50% advance paid 45 days prior. However, Dipen rudely insisted our reservation was for two people, disregarding our explanation. His arrogant and unhelpful attitude complicated matters as he continually shifted his demands, initially asking for ₹1000/- per child, then insisting on a second room. His call to the owner further exacerbated the situation.||Terrible Hospitality||My spouse was outraged by the abysmal level of hospitality, especially given the ₹27,000/- plus taxes we paid for three nights. The service was shockingly poor for this price range. Dipen escalated the situation by demanding we leave the hotel immediately, suggesting we cancel our booking with a promise of a refund within 24 hours. This level of hostility was unacceptable and unprofessional.||Unresolved Issues and Miscommunication||Considering our drenched luggage and the peak season in Darjeeling, I pleaded with Dipen to reconsider. He finally allowed us to stay for an additional ₹500/- per child per day, though his communication remained inconsistent and frustrating. Despite agreeing to his demands, the service continued to be marred by poor coordination.||Stay and Further Disappointments||Our stay from 7.6.2024 to 10.6.2024 was riddled with issues. On the evening of 9.6.2024, I requested the final hotel invoice, which Dipen assured would be ready by checkout. After our complimentary breakfast at 8:20 am on 10.6.2024, no staff were present at the reception. Informing Mr. Binod Ji, the restaurant captain, Dipen eventually arrived looking unprofessional and drowsy.||Checkout Issues and Missing Invoice||Ignoring Dipen’s unprofessional appearance, I requested the bill, which he failed to provide, promising to send it via email. Despite booking through Booking.com, my email was not updated in their system, highlighting another layer of incompetence. As of 14.06.2024 at 11:10 pm, I have yet to receive the bill. This failure to provide basic service can be escalated to the West Bengal Consumer Redressal Forum. It is outrageous that a hotel of this standing fails to deliver such a basic service, especially considering that a simple food stall would offer a free meal if a bill is not provided.||Conclusion||Overall, our stay at Hotel Muscatel Stardust was marked by poor service, unprofessional staff, and a complete disregard for guest comfort and satisfaction. I deeply regret choosing this hotel and strongly advise others...

Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Darjeeling, Muscatel Stardust offers a delightful blend of comfort, elegance, and spectacular views that make it an excellent choice for travelers. During my recent stay, I found the hotel to be a haven of tranquility and hospitality, perfect for a memorable vacation in the hills.

Location: Muscatel Stardust enjoys a prime location in Darjeeling, providing easy access to popular tourist attractions such as the Mall Road, Tiger Hill, and the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The hotel is perched on a hillside, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and tea gardens. This location is ideal for those looking to explore the beauty of Darjeeling while staying in a peaceful setting.

Accommodation: The rooms at Muscatel Stardust are spacious, well-appointed, and designed to provide maximum comfort. My room featured a cozy bed, modern amenities, and large windows that allowed natural light to flood in. The décor was tastefully done, with a mix of contemporary and traditional elements that gave the room a warm and inviting ambiance. The cleanliness and attention to detail in the room were commendable, making my stay incredibly comfortable.

Dining: The hotel's in-house restaurant, managed by Binod, offers a variety of delicious dishes, ranging from local delicacies to international cuisine. Breakfast includes a selection of well-prepared, individual dishes rather than a buffet. One of the highlights of my dining experience was the excellent vegetarian thali served at dinner. Binod and his team were attentive and courteous, ensuring that all guests had a pleasant dining experience. The quality of the food and the beautiful presentation added to the overall enjoyment of my meals.

Service: One of the standout aspects of Muscatel Stardust is the exceptional service provided by the staff. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warm smiles and a friendly welcome. The staff were always ready to assist with any requests, whether it was arranging transportation, providing local recommendations, or ensuring my room was to my liking. Their dedication to making my stay as comfortable as possible was evident throughout my visit.

Amenities: The hotel offers a range of amenities to enhance the guest experience. These include free Wi-Fi, room service, a tour desk, and a lovely garden area where guests can relax and take in the scenic views. Additionally, the hotel provides a comfortable lounge area, perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.

Overall Experience: My stay at Muscatel Stardust was nothing short of delightful. The combination of its excellent location, comfortable accommodations, delicious dining options, and outstanding service makes it a top choice for anyone visiting Darjeeling. Whether you are traveling for leisure or business, Muscatel Stardust promises a memorable and enjoyable stay.

I highly recommend Muscatel Stardust to fellow travelers seeking a serene and comfortable retreat in the heart of Darjeeling. This hotel truly captures the essence of the region's charm and hospitality, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Abdullah Al...

Hi Everyone,

This is Debayan and Isphita and we would like to give an honest review on our Stay at the Muscatel Stardust from 18th December 2023 to 20th December 2023 from a family perspective.

This has been the best stay till date for us. There has been no flaws that we can talk about. Everything from room and location to Customer Service, everything has been the best. No Complaints.

We would specially like to thank -

●The Front Desk Receptionists: Smriti Thapa and Prem Sherpa - Very well behaving and kind personalities.

●The Restaurant Manager: Binod Subba - A very happy and kind person. The food is awesome. We would recommend everyone that instead of going out and spending a huge amount for breakfast, have it in the hotel itself. Thank us later of this.

● The Hotel Manager: Marina Rai - A very nice lady who always tries to provide the best customer service.

Detailed Notes

◆ Room Booked: Super Deluxe Mountain View - the best room to enjoy early morning Sunrise and the beautiful scenic Valley view. If you are lucky enough, you might get glimpse of Kanchenjunga as well from the room(PS: Kanchenjunga is a bit far so it will look small. Don't expect the view to be very large as none of the hotel at the Mall provide that view)

◆ Hotel Location: Now, let's talk about the location. Most of the hotels promise hill view, closest Mall road accessibility and fail to meet expectations. But trust me, here you get what is promised 100%. It's exactly at the Mall Road Chowrasta and every side of the entire Mall is accessible from there by foot, be it Glenary's, Keventers, street food, ATMs or other markets.

◆ How to Book: Call hotel reception directly, Book from website, or Spot booking.

◆ Site Seeing: Book the tour packages from hotel itself. They give the best guide/drivers with reasonable tarrifs(Even pickup and drop from and to NJP station).

◆ Pick up and Drop for the hotel or site seeing: Ask your cab, or whatever means you are opting for, to pick or drop at/from Bhanu Manch near Mall Chowrasta instead of Eastern Club Stand. I will be easy in case you have huge/heavy Luggage.

Overall, this was one of the best Stays and we are planning to revisit and stay at the same hotel again.

★★Special Note and a small tip for Customers★★: If this review helps and you plan to book this hotel, you may refer this review to the hotel reception.

Thanks and Regards, Happy...