Summary of India Tour Overall the tour was educative but I have to say, India is not one of the places that I would want to go back to visit. There was so much poverty and the part that was perhaps the most difficult to deal with is the caste system – unfortunately still very […]

April 16-21 & May3-6, 2008: Delhi: The Connaught Hotel (Rating: Appalling) When we booked two extra days prior to the start of the tour, it was with the intention of getting over some jet lag after a long travel. The floors above the fourth floor were under construction which meant that from 7am to 7pm, […]

May 2-3, 2008: Agra Clarks Shiraz Rating: Average This hotel was average compared to the Clark’s Amer. The room had a nice view of the Fort and Taj which I assume was what made it a deluxe room although it seemed pretty standard. Although we anticipated that the Taj Mahal would be the highlight of […]

April 30-May 2, 2008: Jaipur Clarks Amer Rating: ExcellentThis was a fabulous hotel with a very helpful staff. The breakfast (included) was very good. The wait staff on the first breakfast was quite rude but after talking to the dining room manager, the service at lunch (not included) was impeccable. The manager apologized and offered […]

April 29-30, 2008: Ajmer Mansingh Palace Rating: GoodUpon check-in, we were given two standard rooms and when I mentioned that we had deluxe room as per itinerary, we were moved to one standard room and one deluxe. Not sure why we were not given two deluxe rooms in the first place. The deluxe room was […]

April 27-29. 2008: Udiapur Hilltop Palace Hotel Rating: AverageThe most palatial thing about this hotel was the view which was very pleasant but did not make up for the quality of the room. The variety of breakfast selection was good and the staff were very helpful. The garden and pool area were well kept but […]

April 26-27, 2008: Jodhpur The Ummeid Rating: Excellent.This was by far the best hotel on the tour so far although the hotel at Mandawa was a close second. The staff and facilities were superb and the breakfast as well as the wait staff was very professional. It’s too bad that it was only a one […]

April 23-26, 2008: Jaisalmer Heritage Inn Rating: Average to good The hotel staff greeted us with a mala and had a welcome board with our name posted – nice touch.  The rooms were very average with poor lighting (too many energy efficient bulbs with not enough light) although they were clean and overlooked a nice […]

April 22-23, 2008: Bikaner Heritage Resort Rating: Very good Overall, the facility and staff was good.  The rooms were good as were the dining facilities.  The dining staff were accommodating and the variety at breakfast although not as lavish as Castle Mandawa, was good. The Ayuevedic massage was a welcome treat after 5 days in […]

April 21-22, 2008: Mandawa Castle Mandawa (Rating: Excellent) Everything about the Castle and staff was outstanding.  From the moment we entered the facility, we were offered a cool drink and a wet facecloth.  The staff were warm and friendly every step of the way. The upgraded splendour of our rooms was indeed a pleasant surprise […]