Click to play videoNew Delihi: Cracked ceilings, open wires, and broken switches these are part of some of the capitals plushest hotels. Luxury rooms that reek of filth unhelpful staff.
In data compiled by popular travel website TripAdvisor, while Ashok Hotel comes third on the list of ten most dirty hotels of India, Centaur at the IGI airport tops the shameful list.
“The impact is tremendous as there are 25 mn people as visitors and 1 mn Indian audience also . So with the reviews posted one will think whether to check in,” MD, TripAdvisor, India, Sharat Dhall.
Its not just the biggest that are failing the tourists, the list also throws up 3 star and 4 star names like Delhi's oldest Janpath hotel and Marina in central Delhi.
But for the long-standing name in the hospitality sector, feedback doesn’t seem to matter.
"Its someone's opinion and they are free to express it but we don't agree with it. We (Ashok) are a world class hotel, you can see for yourself," says Commercial & Mktg, ITDC, Rajeev Makin.
"Its shameful that someone has said this. Its time for Ashok to pull up their socks," says CM, Delhi, Sheila Dikshit.
At the Centaur, the closest five star to the international airport, the structure is on the verge of collapse rivaled only by the callous attitude of the staff, however, the management blames the government.
"Recession hit us really hard, we don't have the kind of money to go ahead with 100 per cent renovation,” says Senior Manager, Centaur Hotel, Pradeep Garg.
“Its a Clear warning to all hotels which are having short falls Its time now to wake up and act to the situation,” says VP, Federation of Hotels of India, Rajinder Kumar.
Industry experts say it’s a crisis of both quality and quantity. Until last year, India had a shortfall of more than a lakh rooms in the budget category. The fact that a mid segment category hardly exists makes the situation even worse.
2009 is meant to be the year of the tourist but with Commonwealth games just round the corner, clearly even the best in our hospitality may fall seriously short.
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