Mar 02, 2012 09:38 AM
2611 Views
(Updated Mar 02, 2012 12:29 PM)
Le meridien is hotel that I have to go to frequently since a lot of important parties and conventions are held there regularly. The hotel has good facilities for hosting conventions and events, the open ground behind the hotel is great for any kind of event.
Interestingly enough, nobody in cochin actually considers the restaurant in le meridien worth mentioning, ive never heard of anybody in cochin who frequents the bar in le meridien, people only talk about Tandav - the club in le meridien and that talk is also sparse nowadays.(its under renovation).I think I know why.
The last time I attended a party was on republic day, as usual I drove in to the unwelcoming glances of the indifferent security guards(who dont talk english or malayalam), its as if they dont want people coming in to the damn hotel.
At the convention in the open ground one "bouncer"(he cudnt bounce off my granny) tells me haughtily to stay clear of the pool, although I was like 3 feet away from it. I had half a mind to push the fool in, didnt do it because I didnt want to look an arrogant rich fool. I told him politely that I know how not to drown in a pool. He kept staring at me for the next minute wherever I went. I even suspected he was homosexual.
The employees who managed the drinks counter were even more stupid, it was a party where u had to take coupons to get drinks. I asked for some plain club soda, he wouldnt give because "sir, its only with drinks" . wow! employee of the month for saving 200 ml of club soda! However being the childish fool I am, I managed to take pinch an entire 500ml bottle when he wasnt looking.
All through the party, all the supporting hotel staff did was stare, inhibit or intrude. Got a little drunk that day, so I forgot. I shudnt have
I decided to try out the bar, on valentines day with my girlfriend(i was lazy, it was the nearest hotel to abad nucleus mall) So again, I had to look into the faces of the indifferent, unwelcoming gate security and parked wherever I felt like. Then I tried to find tandav. I walk in, another security guard bumps in to me and asks "kaha ja rahe ho? " like gabbar singh(though he looked like tusshar kapoor) so I ask him "where is tandav" and he says "kya.interview? " with an irritated tone. I finally ask him "bar?" and he points me to some guy wearing a kurta that looked like a nighty. I asked him where tandav was and he replied curtly "tandav is in renovation" .Tired of asking people I finally asked him where the bar was and he pointed blankly to the right.
Finally I find out where "jule's bar" is, its supposed to a fancy sports bar . Sports bar, my ass! The ambience of the place is of an ambulance! The place is as big as my office cabin, where an impassive bartender sits wearing an unwashed coat.
I ask him for a malibu, funny he dosnt even know what the standard serving is. I finally manage to communicate that I desire to imbibe 60 ml of malibu with crushed ice(ice, which is solid water) . Believe me he was that stupid! and we were the only people inside (figures).
I havnt yet checked out the restaurant, and I dont intend to, I have better things to do.Anyway what food ive had to date at le meridien parties have been quite tasteless. Furthermore, no one in cochin talks about the le meridien food.
Overall an irritating and confusing experience. Confusing because I cant understand why people call it a "star" hotel. I cant find anything worthy in this hotel other than the architecture, interior design and location. The staff is rude, senseless and overall stupid! But I've see then being oh so polite and accommodating to foreigners, I would go as far as saying that the le meridien is racist.
i have decided to stay with my fav hotels in kochi, the gateway, the grant and dream. Atleast they have staff who know how to talk sense.Unfortunately I will still have to go to parties at le meridien, and I flinch at the thought.
Le meridien is good for people who have no self respect or havnt seen any other hotel in their lives. There are hotels in remote parts of northern karnataka where people behave better. And they charge only Rs 400 per room
The management of le meridien deserves a tight slap for maintaining filthy employees, and it will get that and more, the next time someone pisses me off there.
