OBEROI UDAIVILAS Udaipur, India 🇮🇳【4K Hotel Tour & Review】NOT The Oberoi Standard!
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- Опубликовано: 31 май 2024
- Known to be one of the best hotels in the world, the Oberoi Udaivilas is a beautiful and sprawling five star resort on the shores of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, India. If you'd like to get a true feel for the resort or are considering it for your next luxury getaway, this video is for you.
🎥 In This Video:
-Hotel & Brand Background
-Boat Transfer
-History of Design
-All Common Areas
-Tour of Pool Areas
-Tour of Premier Semi Private Pool Room
-Dinner at Suryamahal
-Chandni Lake Side Restaurant
-Udaimahal Fine Dining Restaurant
-Full Breakfast Buffet & Menu at Suryamahal
-Grounds Tour
-The Bar
-My Three Big Points
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✋🏼 Videos & Playlists Mentioned in Video
➟ 🇮🇳 India Hotels & Resorts Playlist: • India Hotels, Resorts ...
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➟ 🇮🇳 Leela Palace Udaipur: • THE LEELA PALACE UDAIP...
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💸 Rate Paid
Rate Paid: $474.67 USD
Category: Premier Semi Private Pool Room (Upgraded)
Inclusions: Breakfast
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🎶 Background Music in This Video
⇢ "The Essence of Sound" by Suraj Nepal
⇢ "Mystical Dusk" by Vaayu
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⇢ "Guruvea Sharanam" Arka
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All music tracks featured in this video are licensed under an Artlist Unlimited License.
↪ Video Chapters ↩
0:00 Intro
00:27 Hotel Info
00:57 Driving to Udaipur
01:41 Lake Pichola Boat Transfer
02:44 Arriving at the Resort
06:29 Resort Location
07:09 Lobby & Reception Area
09:09 The Candle Room
09:38 Outdoor Gardens & Fountains
10:47 Pool Areas
13:13 Resort Grounds
14:49 Heading to My Room
15:35 Full Tour of Premier Semi Private Pool Room
26:24 The Bar
29:24 Udaimahal Fine Dining Restaurant
30:24 Grounds at Dusk
31:30 Dinner at Suryamahal
33:04 Sunrise
34:14 Breakfast at Suryamahal
35:32 Oberoi Spa & Fitness Center
37:24 The Flip Flop Score
This is NOT a promotional video. I pay for all of my flights and hotels (and I always tell you how much!) so I can be as honest and impartial as possible. I do not receive any special treatment that wouldn’t otherwise be publicly accessible, in fact, the hotels and airlines have no idea about my visit and that's the way I like it!
#oberoi #udaivilas #udaipur
UPDATE 22 Nov 2023:
As always, when I am contacted by a resort or airline following a less than favorable review, I add a pinned comment about the communication in an effort to be transparent with all of you. I received a call today (which was scheduled a few days prior) from the General Manager of the Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur, Mr. Mahajan. We had a brief chat about the ripple effect of the discovery and the net positive learning experience it has been for some members of his team. In no uncertain terms, Mr. Mahajan has told me that within 48 hours of my original departure, every bed on property was checked and he assures me this is no longer an issue in any way at the hotel. He also extended an invitation to me to visit the Udaivilas again in the future.
If I am honest, regardless of this phone call, I knew this is what happened and why I specifically tried to highlight how beautiful of a proprerty this is, that just happend to have one major slip up while I was there. I'd personally be more than happy to return in the future, with these assurances.
Oberoi has not compensated me for posting or guided the language of this comment.
You can now say goodbye to ever being anonymous in any Oberoi property. Thus, your future reviews of this brand would reflect the elevated service-level and overall experience granted to an “influencer”.
For a chain like Oberoi and given the horrible state of your bed, they should have just waived your booking cost and only charge incidental. In one of the Ritz, I once told the duty manager casually that our room had a few candy wraps on the floor when we checked in. When I checked out, they returned all my points for the award stay without asking.
They only offered a 25% refund?! Thats disgusting. They should have comped your whole stay.
DISGUSTING all round.
Gone are the days, when even hjalf decent hotels would not charge you anything for blunders. Now even Oberoi is a less than half decent. Do not go on their pricing, by that metric they would think of themselves are super premium. On my stay at Sukhvillas ( another premium property ), the staff just forgot basic decencies and service. Told them we were there for my wife's birthday they just forgot her cake and other stuff I had requested them for. And were not really apologetic next day. They were only concerned of not getting a good review on the internet. Bad duty managers, bad staff and bad management. Story of Oberoi.
When the manager told him it was no longer an issue, what is not told is if there were similar issues in the other rooms as well. I find it hard to believe his was the only bed with the stains.
You are a gem in this promotion based world. The standard you have set for travel content creators is just out of this world. Absolutely amazing video. I hope Oberoi takes notice of your feedbacks and corrects it before it spills over. You deserve a lot more recognition & i am sure you will reach that 1 million mark soon.
Thanks very much! It's not always the popular thing to do, but I'm in it for the long game so my honesty is all I need. Thanks for watching 🩴
Wow, that’s a shame about the bedding situation, I would expect that from a Motel 6 , but not the Oberoi 😢I salute you for handling it so well.
Great video as well, thanks 😊
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
I stay at a wide variety of Hotels - everything from 5 Star to Hostels (including Motel 6) and I've never even seen anything that bad at a Motel 6!
I love the way you raised the bar by providing a clear and fair score, your analysis is equitable, and love the accurate description of your experience. Keep Discovering Querido Kevin !!!
Thank you for actually understanding where I was coming from with the score. The number of comments I've gotten on this video asking me how much Oberoi paid me to give the dual scores is comical lol. Thanks as always for your support 🙏
Hey, i am getting addicted to your reviews
The honesty and depth is astounding
Just keep going kevin you are going to slay the travel industry on youtube real soon!
Always be this real it’s a request :))
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🩴
I feel sad for the Udaivillas so much effort by so many people put into guest services and property maintenance, and yet let down by dirty bedding, Although I am sure it's at the top of their priorities now, I am sad to see because of negligence of a few staff so much damage can be done the hotels reputation, guest experience and its other hardworking staff
I agree and I will say explicitally that if I thought this was a problem with my specific housekeeping staff for my room, I would have described and presented this situation very differently. But I wholeheartedly believe this is a direct result of poor housekeeping management considering the pristine nature of the rest of the room. Hell, there's a spotless white sofa in the room! The staff clearly know how to clean, but they cannot do more than they're allowed to do and I imagine for whatever (insane) reason, replacing the mattress toppers was simply not in the budget. Thanks for watching 🩴
We find your your You Tube channel amazing Kevin and appreciate the lengths you go to reviewing the properties and travel. More importantly it is the detail and dedication to the finishing touches of your videos, the music, and editing that puts you as a market leader in travel reviews. Identifying and sorting out the chaos of brining to the attention what we should be looking for in a hotel, plane, or curise - so much we take for granted, and may be moan at a later date but with you highlighting the simple things to look out for can bring the travel experience to the next level... Thank you!! Stay safe and happy landings.
Thanks very much for that, really appreciate your kind words 🙏
This property is indeed a magical and mythical place to be lost in and I’m sure you must’ve felt lost in it , in a good way. Seeing that bed must’ve awoken you from a sweet dream to a nightmare in seconds. You literally fell from cloud 9 and landed on hard concrete.
Your videos and narrative are amazing, but what amazes me more is your mindset on each matter , good or bad , which in any case you really paint the right picture using true colors.
Amazing !!
Thanks very much for that. This is actually one of the reasons I prefer a time to pass before publishing a video. While staying, I take detailed notes about everything, but months later I can look at that with fresh eyes and decide what really matters, instead of allowing one poor aspect of an experience to 'poison' the rest. Thanks for watching 🩴
Very fair review.
Your channel is indeed much needed. Every other reviewer does promotional content too so this would never happen to them, you capture the actual experience of an avg guest.
Appreciate that!
Love the honest reviews!!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Excellent video as always Kevin. Amazing property from a well-respected group. You are absolutely right to be upset with the bedding. It was alarming to say the least. A small stain can and should be overlooked but stains and discolouration of this magnitude is a massive issue and can easily put off someone from sleeping in that bed. Looking forward to your QSuites review. Cheers !
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
I couldn’t agree more with your overall comments on the Oberoi brand. It is world’s best hotel brand because of their unmatched hospitality. All Oberoi hotels I stayed went above and beyond in ensuring you have a flawless and unforgettable stay. All the staff I met are professional, personal and while offering a technical correct service, it always in an informal way . Never giving the feeling that you need to sit up or can’t be yourself. Which is an unbelievable accomplishment as most hotel brands trying to provide similar experiences are either just not putting enough effort in making the staff understand what the difference between hospitality and service is or enforce formal dress codes and treat guests with lack of interest. I agree that food at the Oberoi’s I stayed is always exceptional , especially breakfast. The sense of place the Oberoi creates is unique in the industry, the connection between the hotel properties and the surroundings and the culture always seem to blend perfectly. Including often the architecture, uniforms and entertainment. The rooms in my opinion always seem to be a bit of an after thought, although they are definitely fitting a luxury property, the rooms have a bit of a dated feel in the properties I stayed. Choices of furniture, light fixtures etc. often seem randomly chosen and rather maintained than replaced. While I never had a bed incident like yours (honestly I never checked) I did stay at a property where the rooms smelt moldy because it being an older property. However the negatives in the quality of the rooms compared to other luxury brands never outweighs all other amazing pluses the Oberoi hospitality offers. I never feel as connected to hotel as when staying at an Oberoi, the staff, the food, the uniqueness and really have that local experience and culture seamlessly integrated is what luxury really is. Unlike Ritz Carlton every Oberoi property is different, unlike Four Seasons it doesn’t try to Americanize the experience, unlike Mandarin Oriental the staff is not scripted, unlike Banyan Tree and Six Senses it is trying to be something it isn’t , unlike Aman hotels the Oberoi hotels in general offer value for what you pay. For me only Peninsula Hotels offers a similar experience, but more on a business stay level and usually the architecture of the Peninsula Hotels are not saying much about the location (but does come back in service and details). My favorite Oberoi is on Bali, offering a traditional Bali hotel experience in an otherwise trendy Seminyak where designer hotels and restaurants took over the once peaceful town. Thank you for your amazing content , as hotel owner and frequent traveler your travel channel is definitely my favorite to watch.
A very wise and informed (and appreciated) comment. I'll say that I agree with you in particular on two points. About the rooms in general, I completly agree. I've stayed at four Oberois and I've never been 'wowed' by the room itself. But, I have always chalked that up to a choice of providing extreme consistency in their rooms (closet space, shower heads, amenities, desk space, etc) across the brand rather than focusing on the latest styles- whether that's the correct decision or not, is up for debate. Personally, I think both can be done simultaneously and I think the renovations going on at the Bengaluru property (specifically at Lapis) are an indication that they might be catching on to this. How that translates to the rooms, we will have to wait and see.
As for the "can't be yourself" comment, I could not agree more. I don't make it well known (bc frankly it's difficult to describe) but the title of this channel, "The Flip Flop Traveller" is much more about my love for unpretentious (but premium) travel experiences than it is for flip flops themselves- though I do wear them everyday haha. For this, I love Oberoi. While I'd never show up for dinner like a slob, I know for a fact that at the end of the day, I am their guest and they want me to enjoy my stay as I would like to enjoy it. If that includes flip flops, ankles and elbows... so be it.
Thanks again!
You mean Canadianize for 4 seasons.😂
Great Video...can't beleive it happened in such an expensive resort ( Bed Thing) Thanks for all the information.
Same here
Great video, thanks for the honesty. Love your detailed reviews.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Another great video Kevin. I love your unbiased reviews. You have a very fair system of scoring each hotel. Without doubt, you are the best travel vlogger out there. The only down side….. you make me so envious .
Thanks very much, really appreciate that 🙏
Easily one of my favourite video on your channel. Just wow!!
Also, Kevin you're great. There is so much trust that you have built.
Also, being stayed at Oberoi Amarvilas, I understand why are you/the world so fond of Oberoi. They have set a standard which doesn't feel real!
Amarvilas is incredible. Can't wait to edit that video soon! Thanks for watching 🩴
It was refreshing to see an honest review, we don't even think about issues like this when staying in like of oberoi, it's a bad looks for them, hopefully they've learnt and improved their methods.
Great review as always ❤
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Stunning review Kevin! You are definitely my favorite reviewer and you have a great eye for detail and nonsense attitude combined with healthy common sense and hospitality experience! Fantastic job and I'm sure you will become one of the leading hotel reviewers on RUclips! 👏👏
Appreciate all of that!
Love this India series. Never imagined this hotel would have such basic issues.....
Me either! Thanks for watching 🩴
I just found your reviews and this is exactly what I have been searching for!! Thank you so so much❤
Thanks for watching 🩴
Wow! I would’ve been mortified too. That’s the 1st thing I check is the bed. It looks like that padding came off a trash truck. It is truly a beautiful place too! Thank you for sharing this. 😊
Thanks for watching 🩴
I have to give you praise for this video - the visuals were on another level and of cinematic proportions! Captured beautifully. First class content.
Appreciate that very much! Thanks for watching 🩴
Your videos are really to the point and different compared to other reviewers. Great content. Appreciate your efforts and hardwork in bringing up such videos to us
Appreciate that!
Fantastic video and review as usual. I am in shock about the bed. 😮
Imagine how I felt hahaha. Thanks for watching 🩴
Hi Kevin, The penalty that you introduced in the future videos separates your personal experience from what one can expect. That is a nice touch and you thought about it shows how genuinely you are committed to producing an honest review. Frankly after watching few of your reviews I have great respect for your thought process, Andaz😉, and as an individual.
I would like to have the overall score and penalty side by side for comparison and context. I was searching where is the penalty score as I don't keenly seek out numbers at the start of the video and I like to see the numbers at the end to get the full fun and mystery of the video.
As for the service recovery part (I had a similar experience at Marriott) I usually ask to email or even offer my personal contact details if any actions are taken on my feedback for an update, guess what never received one and I had asked for that at multiple hotels rather than any compensation.
I think Oberoi handled it better, my housekeeping manager was not even shocked but had better stays at other Marriott properties.
I believe a hotel should be sustainable and that means a little bit of profit (though not have high profit margins) is necessary, for a guest to be placed above profit is detrimental in the long run for all stakeholders. Oberoi is priced relatively similarly in the vicinity, I bought a mattress for $200 from a startup with bank offers and I'm super happy for the past 3 years it is hard for me to imagine how could they have budget issues for $450 a night hotel with all the negotiation power they have
I've changed the format a bit on the next penalty score so you can see which category it's deducted from. But even in this video, the two scores are shown back to back (albeit not side by side). Btw, very much apprecaite your opening comment. I really don't see these reviews as being about 'me' or my personal opinion, it's just a showcase since I know how frustrating it can be when you're looking for a hotel in a place you don't know well. Thanks for watching 🩴
That was a beautifully covered video on that property. Very well done showing off all its features. But was shocked by the bed though. Never expected that.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Thanks as always for the honest reviews, been following along for a long time but first comment. The sneak peek is EY17 (or EY19) in F! I flew that very recently as well, looking forward to hearing your opinions and see if they match mine.
EY19, correct :) Thanks for watching 🩴
As usual, a very thorough, honest review. I have come to trust your observations and honesty.
Appreciate that!
Can't believe the issues here. WOW! Thanks for the info and video!
Thanks for watching 🩴
I’m new to your channel thank you for the review,,,peace and happiness on your travels ❤❤❤
Thanks for watching 🩴
Very detailed and balanced (the way you allow some time to pass before publishing shows maturity and balance). Keep it up. All the best
Appreciate that! Thanks for watching 🩴
Thank you, thank you so much! I was just planning my trip to Udaipur for my birthday in April and was close to booking Oberoi based on their stellar reputation. You review has cast a doubt in my mind and I am more inclined to book Raffles based on your earlier review. And, in my opinion, Oberoi should have compensated you 100% for the room rate. Thank you for your honest, unbiased reviews.
I always thought the 25% room discount was odd. One of those cases where 25% made them seem cheap, whereas if they didn't discount anything at all, they might 'look' better. Enjoy your trip 🗺️
Thank you, Kevin for this review!! It is my dream to stay at The Oberoi Udavilas!!!! It has been on my bucket list to go to India, and I will do it!!!! Your reviews of all the Hotels you have visited gives me indication of where to stay!!! Appreciate you! Thank you :-)
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Hey Kevin. Thanks for the wonderful honest review. I find it strange that Oberoi vilas properties have such grand and opulent public spaces but their rooms fall short. I actually find the rooms boring. That being said, their service and food are certainly world-class as you said.
I agree and would say it applies to all Oberois to an extent. The common spaces are meant to be comfortable, social and have a wow factor. The rooms are meant to be practical and 'well equipped'... that's not me saying I agree with the concept tho. Thanks for watching 🩴
Very well presented. Feels almost as if. we are there ourselves.The camera speed is very smooth and detailed views.
Appreciate that!
Speechless as to how this happened when everything else is perfect down to the smallest detail. The bed is one of the most important aspects of any hotel.
Agreed! Lack of budget I reckon. Everything else in the room was indeed spotless- but everything else in the room is also spot-cleanable by housekeeping staff and wouldn't in most circumstances require replacement. Thanks for watching 🩴
Stunning property. Fabulous review.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
The videography was also excellent
Your videos are getting better and better and the increasing length is a good thing. That bed pretty hard to believe. I understand the late hour of the discovery and the proximity to bedtime, but they should have moved you to the best available room immediately. That they did not perhaps corroborates your point that all the beds might have been in that condition. I agree with you though, Hotel amazing and I'd choose to stay their notwithstanding your experience.
To be fair, when the duty manager asked what I wanted done, I preempted this by saying I just wanted this bed remade (not to move) because I was convinced this would have been a problem in any room. Waiting for them to change the bedding and waiting an hour for the AC to kick in (105° daytime) in the best room wasn’t going to make me any happier. If noticed before dinner, then for sure- I would have given them the opportunity to prepare a new room.
Thank you for this video. We are going to this hotel in feb 24, same type of rooms, I really hope that the bedding will be changed. I will check it out. 🙏
Good luck! 😅
You keep it real, I like that. Never change. Also, the issue was definitely an upper management problem, house keeping usually follows orders.
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
I’m never looking at a hotel bed the same way ever again 😥 A very refreshingly honest review and not the usual goo goo gaa gaa sort.
Thanks for watching 🩴
As always i enjoyed walking with you through these beautiful properties greetings from the Netherlands
Thanks for watching 🩴
You create awesome content- tough but fair !
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Amazing as always Kevin!
By the way I think this is really important to highlight things that are just not acceptable in any 4, much less at any 5 star property. Management should be to blame for these issues.
For my expericence there are so many things that routinely go wrong in luxury properties that I just don't understand!!! You can have the most spectacular luxury amenities but if the basics of any sleep property fails it will ruin your expericence period.
I'm talking about:
- people entering the room without notice.
- stains on bedsheets or any dirt on the beds or bed bad condition.
- noisy or smelly AC.
- AC that cannot be turned off or properly regulated.
- curtains not closing exterior light sources.
- several bugs in the room.
- garbage or any previous guest items left behind..
I cannot tell you how many times one or more of the issues have happened to me in 5 star luxury hotels. I just found it disturbing... and this things you can search all you want that sometimes are impossible to predict, much comments dont adress this issues, so any information regarding the hotel basics is always a great plus for me!
Who cares about the fancy pool, the otherworldly design of the restaurant when you cannot sleep?
Keep the good work! Show us the real amazing experiences, not the flashlights vendors sell!! Thank you!
Yup, honestly it’s shocking to me as well. I still love beautiful hotels but if I’m honest, sometimes I just prefer a new Hyatt Place bc I know EXACTLY what to expect. There’s a certain category of 5-star properties that just seem to have lost the plot.
@tfft exactly!! I try to avoid old properties unless there are really good comments regarding the condition and really new places overall.. but I agree that generally a modern Hyatt or Intercontinental are more consistent than some flashy properties worldwide.
I guess nowadays there is definitely more focus on building new properties and expand the brands portfolio then improving the previous properties (which gave them the money and status).
Add to not changing the beddings underpinnings and having them lay what looks like fresh linen only for you to smell what looks like a recent human murky sweat through the linen. It’s disgusting. Sleep and promptness of service can ruin experiences in luxury properties.
Best travel content on RUclips by far. Would love to hear the story of how you ended up in Asia. You sound like a New Yorker. ;-)
Have lived between North Jersey and NY most of my life before coming to Asia (to escape the corporate world and open restaurants... but then, Covid...). I thank you for not thinking I'm from Philly like far too many people comment 😂
@@tfft LOL
Hello Kevin. I am the bed you eviscerated in this review. I’ve been sacked and exiled to the Jumeirah Bali.
Thanks very MUCH pal.😡
Amazing
This helps in pulling up
Thanks for watching 🩴
4th video... really enjoying India through you.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Thanks Kevin 😊
Thanks for watching 🩴
You just open my eyes, my liking towards udavilas is nearly dropped to end
Thanks for watching 🩴
Hard to fathom how a situation like this could have occurred , but worse continued (on for who knows how much longer before your discovery) in a place with these high standards… 😮 The duty manager must have felt mortified, soooo embarrassing! Thank you for the great review, it looked stunning 🤩
I reckon it was a slow decline and lack of budget. It's hard to imagine in the same room, there was a spotless (near) white sofa. I suppose the difference is, the housekeeping staff can spot clean the sofa on a daily basis. Thanks for watching 🩴
@@tfft But on the other hand when changing the linnen it immediately hits you in the face….just astounding!
The Oberoi remains a class apart from its competitors. During your stay in India, I would recommend visiting their property at Wildflower Hall near Shimla. And when down south, Evolve Back Coorg (originally Orange County) is a unique experience, no luxury hotel chain would be able to offer.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Thanks for the information.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Thanks for your videos. I watch all of them and appreciate your attention to detail when filming.
Indeed the mattress and bedding were unacceptable. I am a bit surprised when going into your hotel room that the first thing you don't do is pull back the bedding to check for bed bugs. That is the first thing I do in every hotel since a work colleague had bed bugs in his room in a luxury, six star hotel during a business trip.
Yah, as I mentioned in the video, it generally is top of mind, but sometimes at such high end hotels, I would let it slide... not anymore... Thanks for watching 🩴
Thank you for making them realise
Thanks for watching 🩴
Thank You✈️
Thanks for watching 🩴
Kudos to you for reporting such issue. Hope you keep up your standards and don't go sell yourself like many other popular RUclipsrs have done.
All the best 😊
Selling to the entities I'm reviewing, that's a big no. Thanks for watching 🩴
great video
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Kevin one of your best
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
This is brilliant , finally I have a medium that I can rely on that can take on and expose various over- hyped properties owned by several of the branded hotel groups across India that are both mismanaged and therefore are , simply put , just a sham
Don't forget I'm also a medium for the resorts that do actually deliver on what they promise as well 😉
@@tfft oh yes I'll remember that 👍
I always loved your way of presenting things and especially your choices for the background music were very well chosen and top notch. Since now it always gave me a sense of Relaxation. Just this time.. The background music while your room tour felt too tense for my taste and not enjoyable at all. I felt a relief hearing your voice again and the disappearing of that Background Music. Greetings from Germany
Well noted. Thanks for watching 🩴
Shocking such substandard quality at Oberoi
For Sure
I am hooked to this channel
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
I love this property. I can't wait to go back again but this time I will definitely look under my bed sheets 😉
Thanks for watching 🩴
Wow. This is very enlightening. I would have demanded that they give you that room for free for your stay. These conditions are disgusting. I think part of the problem with these (so called) '5 Star' Hotels is that they put all their attention (and their money) into the Lobby and Public Spaces while neglecting the actual Rooms where people stay. I have heard and seen this criticism of other 5 Star Hotels (a certain 'iconic' hotel in NYC comes to memory).
If I demanded something then I wouldn’t be able to report on what they offered 😉
I just stumbled upon your channel. You keep it real and i am a fan!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
We were there and it was an absolutely extraordinary experience. We've been to several of the Oberai "vilas" properties and have loved them all. Sorry your experience was not like ours. I will have memories for a lifetime and we are avid travelers.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
I had a similar experience at Taj Clubhouse, Chennai. My detailed feedback to the company after my stay elicited no response. Amazing how the product/ area that the guest spends the most time on during a stay got neglected like this.
Amazing for sure! Thanks for watching 🩴
I can imagine that as a content creator, you have a degree of responsibility to tell it like it is and be fair to the property. If you don't take commission for being there, you're equally not there to put them out of business (so to speak). I think your most telling comment was despite the issue, this was the property that you'd choose over the others in Udaipur (I would have bet on Raffles) and in that i think you demonstrate the fine line between reviewing your stay and providing a balanced view of the hotel for viewers making a decision at some point in the future. The score is the score, it's the details that you have a skill in showcasing that would make my mind up. All the best to keep doing what you do...
I'm lucky enough to get some great comments on a regular basis, but this has to be up there with my favorites. I appreciate the sentiment immensly and am just happy that sometimes the output does match my intentions- I know, especially in a situation like this, it's easy for the audiance to get lost in the drama of it- or conversly, dismiss it as 'not that bad' when in reality I'm always trying to skate in between. Thanks again!
Thanks Kevin God bless
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Just love anything Bill Bensley! 💕
Same here! Especially his outdoor spaces. Thanks for watching 🩴
Love the content ... Would like to see your review of the kumaon
Thanks for watching 🩴
Very nice❤❤❤
Thanks for watching 🩴
An amazing video of a magnificent property. It all looks so opulent but it has all been ruined for me because of the bedding issue. I wonder if Oberoi have addressed this problem, as I would not consider staying there unless this was fixed.
I certainly hope they have! (And I do suspect they have…) Thanks for watching 🩴
Really disgusting . Can’t expect this from Oberoi hotels .
Property as u said is stunning .
Your scoring and attention to details in everything is second to none.
Always lovely watching your review.
Certainly not what's expected of them. Thanks for watching 🩴
The background music is enthralling
Glad you enjoy.
OMG! 🤯 That is the last thing I wanna see when I stay in a hotel. Thanks for helping an indecisive mind looking for a hotel. Nope..
Thanks for watching…Kevin 😅 🩴
Great & perfect observations, to raise eyebrows--- since it is Oberoi 🤔
Thanks for watching 🩴
Hi TFTT.....
Just came here to check the bed's disastrous experience because I was informed by a person who dedicated his life for the brand.
Something as big as this cannot go unnoticed and couldn't imagine where it all went wrong.
By the way please explore Six Senses Fort, Barwara for a royalty experience and wellness! You will definitely love the workshops too.
Yupp, have been to SSFB, video will be up in around 2 weeks. Thanks for watching 🩴
@@tfft That's great! The fort is like a fortress for the weary. The details of architect cannot be ignored. Your videos have so much clarity with good narration and views and I hope to see that one real soon. Thanks
I imagine a prior guest to your your room had ordered the Chef's Special Ratatouille which was a bit off and caused her to brown the bed.
That said, you are a GEM kevin! A literal DIAMOND mined from a Botswana kimberlite pipe! Buy yourself a currytini!
I hope those are the 'good' kinds of Diamonds 😅 Thanks very much 🙏🏻
That bed! OMG! BUT as you said the property and what is SUPPOSED to happen/be like - I think you are very fair. These India videos make me want to visit there.
Hope you're able to!
Awesome footage and honest too , as an Indian , I am feeling very ashamed of the fact that the hotel resort is so callous about cleanliness of its beds , sorry on their behalf 😢
Not for you to appologize for. Sometimes businesses just need a wake up call, no pun intended lol
I like your style!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Great location
Thanks for watching 🩴
Omg . I have stayed in this prooerty and exectly simmlier room as yours. I was I'm awe of this property till you showed me the horror of bed. I also was not happy with food over all in The dinning room .
For me I have stayed at some superb properties around the world but best so far has Bern RAM BAUGH PALACE JAIPUR. A TAJ PROPERTY. ITS MIND BLOWING . ORIGINAL PALACE CONVERTED TO HOTEL AND OOFFF THE TAJ SERVICE. NOTHING COMES CLOSE TO IT AND THE PROPERTY.
Thanks for watching 🩴
Ohh so is that why the score card on the intro is 74 and the one at the end is 94? Great review as always. Shocking bed situation!
Truly shocking, yes. Thanks for watching 🩴
welcome to India!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
My wife who started her career in the Indian hotel industry says that she’s not surprised with the housekeeping conditions, not just in Oberoi, but across the industry.
Well, I've stayed at over 20 hotels in India in the past year and I can assure you, none of the other properties had anything like this. Thanks for watching 🩴
What about the reports, based on Western hotels, that say every TV remote and comforter has excreta and semen stains on them? Not defending the bedding situation btw.
Please do create a playlist of 95 above score resorts
“My Favorites” playlist is as close as you’re gonna get for now 😉
Thank you so much for this honest review. I have recently noticed that 5 stars are no longer upto the standards that they used to be. The service is appalling for money that they charge. I also feel that the staff they employ is the problem; the lack of training to save cost and increase profit margin. It is management's attitude "Let's make money and who cares about the rest. Customers will adjust". We have created a hype about these properties. We need to treat them as nothing special and not be a patron to them. I used to be a patron of ITC and paid premium for staying at their 5 star properties. Now I am not bothered, I check the reviews and stay at whosoever is offering the best service, be it Marriott or Radisson. From your review I have learnt, going forward I shall also check the mattress. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing ✈️
I gasped!
I fumed! haha Thanks for watching 🩴
You may have noticed this first time, I have experienced the same in another Oberoi property. Indian hospitality is more hyped in their own heads.
Thanks for watching 🩴
I can tell you whenever I travel I am always check my bed first ! I stay in this hotel and I had everything perfect including my bed ! When I stay in Australia bed was stain including Dona insert was stain !
In one hotel when I stay in other five star hotel when check bed I find bed bugs
My service of the room was only 5 min ? No vacuum no bathroom cleaning etc ? After complaining I have spoken with room att and she told me they offering light service only ? To save money ? As you see the management is the one what cutting corners but always blaming on staff and offering recovery ! My advice is always check the bed no matter we’re you travelling 😊
Thanks for sharing ✈️
That bedding is not at all normal for an Oberoi. I wonder if those stains just happened recently from perhaps children that stayed in the room and they did not have time or inventory to fix the problem. On a side note, I usually chose the pool rooms closer to Surya Mahal because I think they provide much better views than on the side you stayed in. What do you think?
I prefer privacy. On the Surya side any guests at the main pool can easily see your semi private pool.
As for the bedding. 148% no. Those stains were clearly from years of use. I'd go as far as to say I've never been more confident about something in my life. Trust me on this lol. Also, if it was just from one guest and wasn't a broader problem (at this property) then surely it would have promptly been replaced and/or deep cleaned.
Considering how expensive it is to stay here, it shouldn't have even been a problem. It's crazy that even happened
Agreed!
Definitely not expected from a brand like Oberoi.
Sure wasn’t!
hey Kevin!
I really like your penalty system within your score! but just a small detail you can or not take into consideration regarding the editing; i think you can give the penalty a rubric (whatever that's called) too! (like for example for the "room" category, you could have deducted a maximum of 20 points or something, which you did. maybe that makes the penalty clearer to the intent of the penalty?
also, i fully agree with your thoughts regarding Oberoi! i think it's quite disappointing that they offer such a disgusting product (albeit everything else was undeniably exceptional, but still) and i do think it highlights an underlying issue within the company. i hope they do better soon and next time you go to India you could try more oberoi hotels!
also, p.s. just a small question, what does "food and venues" mean to you in your flip flip score? say i really love the beach of a resort, would that be food & venue? location settings? or amenities facilities? just clarifying to understand your scoring system better!
Many many thanks to you Kevin for your lengthy and detailed videos for one of the most known hotels brands in South Asia!!
Thanks for the feedback, I agree that the penalty graphic needs to be a bit more involved. It also feels a bit 'naked' to me. For the next property with a penalty that will be addressed.
As for the categories, they are vague so that I can have the same scoring system for Urban Hotels & Beach Resorts. Here's a quick breakdown as they relate to a beach resort:
Location & Setting: Location = convenience, accessibility, prime or not... Setting = Physical layout, beach (as relates to the shape/size/condition), Orientation... both are quite relative metrics depending on where on earth we are.
Food & Venues: Food = Taste, quality and value of any/all food & beverage service (including quality of menus)... Venues: Style, quality, operating hours, accessibility (aka, can a guest walk in without a reservation) and variety of restaurants, bars and lounges on offer.
Amenities & Facilities: Amenities = everything from bath products to towels to bottles of water. Basically anything that you "use" or is free... Facilities = Anything that is constructed or offered for common use including Pools, lawns, loungers, lobbies, spas, etc.
The other two categories are I think more self explanitory. So, if you were served delicious food, on a stunning beach in super comfortable lounge chairs with incredible service, then your beach experience would in fact influence four of the five categories.
Perhaps I'll make a future Community post explaining the same. Thanks for watching 🩴
@@tfftthank you Kevin for your lengthy and detailed clarification!
If the manager had found out that not only were you a returning guest but also a RUclipsr, he probably would have gotten a coronary on the spot.
This is the reason I travel with my own pillow because I have uncovered pillows on my travels that looked way worse than the bedding in this video!
When I first started the channel I also travelled with my own pillow, but then when I decided to try to be carry on only (as much as possible)… I had to part ways lol.
But yes, I don’t know if I know of a word to describe how he’d feel if he knew why I was there. Luckily, he wasn’t the one at ‘fault.’
So there was an issue with the bed that was promptly fixed .... Good .... my experience with Oberoi hotels in India over a decade was a most wonderful one ... my husband & I stayed a lot at the one on MG Road, Bangalore ... the head housekeeper Mr Dandapani would have my special slippers out & in our suite, before we got there ... Im glad in this instance the whole of the beds were reviewed ... and Rajasthan food is some of the best in India
Thanks for watching 🩴
This really disturbs me. My partner and I had an Oberoi 'tour' across four properties and 12 nights just prior to COVID. I never thought to check under the bottom sheet, but now I will. I would've asked for an upgrade for sure - not a remake of the bed!!
At that time of night, the last thing I want to do is change rooms. Other thing is, I did think about it, but assumed in any other room I’d also need to wait for the bed to be remade. Thanks for watching 🩴
After watching the mattress condition, i have dropped the idea to stay at this property, which i was seriously considering .... i guess i ll prefer to visit this hotel only for dinner... for stay i ll try leela or taj 😅
Thanks for watching 🩴