Masala — Restaurant in Kerala

I visited this hotel with my family for their Sunday brunch at Masala, expecting what anyone would from a five-star property: good food, attentive service, and an overall great experience. Sadly, it was disappointing right from the moment we stepped in.

I don’t live in Kerala, so I’m obviously not a regular guest, but I’m still a paying customer-full price. There was no welcome, no greeting, just someone pointing us to our table, after waiting to be acknowledged at their desk. Around us were several men in coats, clearly supervisors or managers, standing around whispering to each other, not even glancing at guests walking in.

We sat at our table for a while, and no one came by. Not even for water. We eventually got up to get our food, came back, and still no service. Ten minutes inside a restaurant without a single staff member acknowledging you is not normal. I finally had to go and tell one of the coat-clad manager/supervisor that no one was attending to our table.

It seemed their focus that day was a large private group dining nearby, obviously a higher-paying crowd. After I complained, another staff member came to the table to “apologize,” but it felt forced. We hoped the experience would improve after that, but it didn’t.

Looking at their social media later, it all made sense. The hotel seems more interested in posting pictures with celebrities than doing some acual marketing. Unless you’re a well-known face, it seems you’re invisible to them.

Would I go back? Definitely not. Will my disappointment affect them? Probably not. They’ll continue serving celebrities while regular guests like us walk away dissatisfied. I’m writing this review so others know what to expect — or rather, not to expect — in terms of fair treatment and service.

As for the brunch itself, even with a live singer and caricature artist, the ambience felt dull. The food was average at best, you can honestly find far better and more authentic dishes at small local eateries. The only thing I enjoyed was the Thecha, which was actually quite good.

What a letdown. This place used to be so much better, but clearly, their standards and priorities...

I had high hopes for a satisfying culinary adventure when I decided to indulge in a buffet lunch at Masala Restaurant, Holiday Inn on a bustling Saturday. Regrettably, the experience fell short of my expectations in myriad ways.

Upon entering the restaurant, my excitement quickly waned as the lackluster spread failed to impress. The promised variety seemed like a distant dream, as the selection paled in comparison to other establishments of similar repute. The limited options left much to be desired and failed to cater to the diverse palates of discerning diners.

The quality of the offerings further compounded the disappointment. Hopes of savoring delectable, flavorful dishes were dashed as each attempt to find a truly satisfying morsel ended in frustration. The lack of palatable flavors and poorly executed recipes left an unappealing taste in my mouth, both literally and figuratively. I expected the fare to be nothing short of extraordinary, but found it to be undeniably subpar.

The ambiance, though bustling with activity, failed to compensate for the culinary letdown. The frenetic atmosphere, while indicative of popularity, did little to enhance the overall dining experience. The din of the crowd made it challenging to engage in conversation, and the overall sense of chaos detracted from what should have been a leisurely and enjoyable mealtime.

As a patron, I anticipated a premium dining adventure, one that would leave a lasting, positive impression. However, the reality was a far cry from this ideal. The absence of exceptional quality and variety, combined with an ambience that did little to elevate the experience, left me disheartened and dissatisfied.

My visit to Masala restaurant for the buffet lunch on a busy Saturday proved to be an underwhelming affair. The lack of variety, subpar taste, and frenetic ambiance culminated in an experience that fell short of the standards one would expect from a revered establishment. It is my sincere hope that the restaurant takes proactive measures to revamp its buffet offerings and cultivate an environment that truly delights...

This is regarding the misery of making a reservation at the Masala Restaurant on Sunday. Asked the lady (Ashwathi) who answered the phone the charge for Sunday brunch and she said Rs.750/-. Shocked, I asked her again with the same reaponse - Rs.750/-. Asked a third time repeating that it was for the brunch and again the response was Rs.750/-!! The lady had no idea of even the charge for the buffet!!!! And she is made to answer the phone!!!???

I escalated this to the F&B Manager who said he would ask the restaurant manager to call me. As there was no call from the restaurant manager I called the F&B Manager again. This time he said he would get him to call me immediately.

The Restaurant Manager Nikhil called and said the reason for the delay in calling was that he was discussing with the chef whether there were any changes made to the buffet menu !!! What a wild story!!

Obviously the manager is setting the example and thats why the staff are like that!! He then explained the menu using the word “Understood?” rudely implying that the customer is an idiot.

We were a group of 10 wanting to celebrate an anniversary but given the horrible experience where the staff do not even know the charge and an EXTREMELY RUDE RESTAURANT MANAGER, we decided to go to Le Meridien where we experienced friendly and courteous staff along with excellent food.

We were saved from a bad experience by the attitude of the restaurant manager Nikhil. He had shown us how discourteous hotel staff can be.

If any of you intend to go to Masala be prepared for bad behaviour by the manager and...