Dec 23, 2018 11:20 AM
11166 Views
I and my friend planned a short notice trip to Shimla/Manali Dalhousie, which was from 10th Dec 18 to 16th Dec 18.
We did plan our trip through “Meet My Holiders’ a well-known tour company in Shimla.
We had budget issues, hence they brought it down to 31.5k from 45K for two people.
We were reluctant to go for this company. But they kept calling and convincing us that they are one of the best tour company in Himachal and other companies do not have so many reviews. Since their review was good we decided to go ahead. Trip was planned for Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie. Pick and drop was decided from Delhi to Delhi airport. Company did share hotel rooms pictures, which were good as per out room expectations, but reality was different.
Trip was a disappointment, BAD COMMUNICATION, BAD SERVICE and BAD ARRANGEMENTS.
While booking the package, company lady told us to pay 50% amount and remaining 50% at the end of the trip, but in reality they asked us to complete the payment in cash within 2 days stating GST and late payment fine reasons.
Driver kept asking for money for fuel and at one point he stopped the cab midway on the road till the time payment issue gets sort out… this went on for almost 3 days, till company contacted them personally.
Next day we visited Tour company office, to address out issues. Staff behaviour was nice, manager heard us and assured that we will not to face any further issues and next location arrangements will be good and if we don’t like hotels, they will provide another one.
Fellow also suggested us to drop Dalhousie and instead we must visit Kasaul, the Israeli Colony nearby Manali. In Reality we had up-down 6 hrs. journey and there was nothing to see at Kasaul except a small market which barely had 2-3 local shops. Driver also denied taking to other nearby location, stating he will take us to only agreed locations by Company.
MANALI STAY PROVIED BY COMPANY WAS WORST EXPERIENCE.
Despite addressing the bad reviews of Hotel Chatanya resort(Again Company owned Hotel in Manali), the assured us stating these were past issues and now hotel is well managed.
The hotel locality was damn frustrating, Driver was not able to find the hotel and hence we had to take direction help from Hotel staff. The road was not in a good condition, due to rain there were big potholes, the road was so much inclined and because of this cab was failed to climb 2-3 times. When we reached the hotel finally, we checked the rooms:
1.Hotel was almost empty, I don’t think so there were any other tourists.
2.All the rooms were dirty and un-cleaned.
3.The bed sheets, pillows were dirty and smelly. Flooring was dirty. as if it was not cleaned since long.
4.All the washroom were dirty, toilet seats were not clean. Flush was not working.
5.The room which they allocated us was dirty. toilet seat was broken.
We kept our checking on hold and tried to reach out company SPOC, despite sending texts and multiple calls, we did not get any response for almost a hr. Company Sales manager called us back. It felt like she intentionally ignored the concerns we are highlighting and rather kept us insisting to check in. she will get sort out the cleaning issues.
Hotel service was WORST.
1.Despite multiple rings no one was coming to room.
2.One of the hotel staff accidently spill water on floor, he wiped the floor and poured back in the same water jug, which he brought for us.
3.Kitchen was like a Garbage storage.
4.Post dinner, we asked for tissues, staff said they don’t have issues and we can wipe our hand to the adjacent curtain.
5.TOILETS WERE unclean and blocked.
Next day we informed company, we will not stay in the hotel and to our surprise, company sales lady speaking tone was completely changed. She asked us to stay in same hotel only, since hotel payments were made.(How does it matter… when this is something your own?)
When I expressed my disagreements, the answer I got was hilarious: ITANE PAISE ME ITNA HI MILEGA, WHY SHOULD WE BARE THE LOSS.
Company politely denies another hotel arrangement, since it was impossible to stay in same hotel, hence we did our own arrangements.
Company has denied any refunds stating, they did provide us hotel, but we dint like it.
Funny part is that, later 2 days, company spoc called again for routine follow up to check if we are enjoying out trip and if we are facing issues? This was so fake. That I literally asked them not to call again.
They were more worried that, if we may file a complaint and hence one of their contact person was still in touch to check. IF WE REALLY ARE ENJOYING OUR TRIP.
I don’t think so 31.5 k is a small amount and if we really deserve such bad arrangements(a normal hotel room was charging in between 700- 1k on same day, and rooms were far better that this hotel).
We went there to enjoy our time and relax our minds. But thanks to the tour company the trip was a nightmare.
So if you are planning your trip via tour company, go with your own regional reputed company rather than having such a bad experience.
PFA some of the pics from Chatanya Resort.
