Unveiling Delhi's Hidden Gem: Ashtan Sarovar Portico's Untold Secrets!
Ashtan Sarovar Portico: Delhi's Not-So-Secret Secret (and My Messy, Honest Review)
Okay, listen up, because I just got back from a stay at Ashtan Sarovar Portico in… well, Delhi. And let me tell you, the "hidden gem" tag? It's debatable. More like a well-polished, very capable little sparkle. Forget the airbrushed brochure, this is real life, folks. And I'm ready to spill the chai.
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First off, accessibility. They advertise it. Which is HUGE. Finding truly accessible hotels in India can feel like searching for a unicorn. Ashtan does a decent job. Wheelchair accessible throughout the main areas, and they've got elevators, which is a lifesaver. But… and there's always a but, isn't there? – some corridors felt a teensy bit tight. Still, better than many I’ve seen. My friend, who uses a wheelchair, gave it a thumbs up overall. Facilities for disabled guests are present, but double-check specifics if you have unique requirements. The elevator is definitely a plus.
(Accessibility: 👍, but ask questions!)
Let’s talk cleanliness and safety – because in the post-COVID world, that's the top priority. They're trying. I saw hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. Staff trained in safety protocol. They have anti-viral cleaning products listed, rooms sanitized between stays, the works. The room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch, showing they are aware. However, the constant parade of cleaning felt – honestly – a little overbearing at times. I was starting to feel like I needed a Hazmat suit just to walk through the lobby. They're doing their best, though. Give them an A for effort. Daily disinfection in common areas. And the safe dining setup I saw in the restaurant was reassuring – tables spaced, the whole shebang. First aid kit and doctor/nurse on call – always good to know. Hygiene certification is probably in place. Lots of professional-grade sanitizing services are deployed and they take it seriously. I noticed the sterilizing equipment – all good!
(Cleanliness & Safety: A for effort, but maybe chill a little?)
Now, the juicy stuff: Dining, drinking, and snacking. Oh, the choices! They've got restaurants (plural!), including a vegetarian restaurant (bonus points!), and an Asian cuisine in restaurant. A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, and Breakfast [buffet] are all on the menu. I went for the buffet. Let me tell you, the Asian breakfast gave me LIFE. Seriously, the dosas were crisp, the idlis fluffy, and the sambar was chef's kiss. I'm still dreaming of it.. They also offer Western breakfast. The coffee/tea in restaurant was passable – not the best I’ve ever had, but definitely quaffable. There's a bar to wash it all down with. A poolside bar and happy hour were spotted, though I didn't partake. I saw soup in restaurant, salad in restaurant, even desserts in restaurant. The bottle of water provided in the room was a much-needed companion after the Delhi heat. Room service [24-hour] is a godsend for those late-night cravings. And the snack bar is perfect for a quick bite. I did get an alternative meal arrangement one night, as I have a fussy eater in their presence– which was helpful! All in all, a solid dining experience.
(Dining & Drinking: Solid, with bonus points for the dosas!)
Alright, Things to do, ways to relax. This is where Ashtan shines. There's a swimming pool [outdoor], and it’s absolutely gorgeous – with a pool with view! Perfect for escaping the chaos. The Fitness center is well-equipped, though I’m more of a "lounging by the pool" kind of girl. They have a Spa, and a Spa/sauna and steamroom and sauna – I’m sensing a theme! They also offer a massage, and they have a Body scrub, Body wrap and a Foot bath! I indulged, and it was pure bliss. That massage? I’m pretty sure I achieved enlightenment. The gym/fitness seemed up to par for those that like to pursue their fitness endeavors.
(Relaxation: Go. Get a massage. Now.)
Services and conveniences? They've got them. Air conditioning in public area is a must. A Concierge is there to help you with everything. A Business facilities are at your disposal. Cash withdrawal available. A Convenience store is available and you can get your essential condiments such as a toothbrush. The Currency exchange is there which is really great. Daily housekeeping is a constant presence. Doormans are present, dry cleaning, elevator and all the other essential services. Food delivery is available. Gift/souvenir shop for that last-minute "I forgot to buy a gift" panic. They have Ironing service, Laundry service, and Luggage storage which is great. They have Meeting/banquet facilities, and Meeting stationery and the ability to host Meetings. There's also a Safety deposit boxes for your valuables. Smoking area is cordoned off, and a Terrace is available, too. The Xerox/fax in business center is there for you. And the Car park [free of charge] is a MAJOR plus in Delhi. Car park [on-site] is also available.
(Services and Conveniences: All bases covered.)
For the kids, they’ve got some offerings, with Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, and Kids facilities, and Kids meal.
(For the Kids: Welcoming, but I haven't tested those myself, so proceed with caution if you have kids!)
In-room tech and comforts: They've got Air conditioning, and an Alarm clock. You’ll have Bathrobes, and a Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping is always at your service. A Desk for work. Free bottled water is provided. There's a Hair dryer, and a High floor for hopefully a good view. In-room safe box. Internet access – LAN, and Internet access – wireless. Ironing facilities, and a Laptop workspace. Mini bar, Non-smoking rooms. On-demand movies for a lazy evening. A Private bathroom, and a Reading light. A Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels. Separate shower/bathtub. Shower, Slippers, a Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, and a Telephone. Toiletries and Towels are all there. Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free] and a Window that opens.
(Rooms: Comfortable and well-equipped.)
Getting around: The Airport transfer is a must. A Taxi service is always available. Valet parking is also on hand should you require it.
(Getting Around: Easy - essential in Delhi!)
Internet: Ok, so Internet is super important, right? They PROMISE Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Wi-Fi in public areas. And it's… mostly reliable? Sometimes I got the "spinning wheel of doom" when trying to upload photos. I will say that the Internet services were pretty good, but be prepared for the occasional glitch. Internet [LAN] is also available if you prefer that option.
(Internet: Hit or Miss.)
For those obsessed with detail about your room:
The rooms offered amenities, which included Additional toilet, which is always nice. Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone and Bathtub. Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed , Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, **Soundproofing
Luxury Redefined: Unforgettable Stay at Hotel Okura Macau
Alright, buckle up, Buttercup! We're crafting an itinerary for The Ashtan Sarovar Portico in Delhi, and trust me, it's gonna be a wild ride. This ain't your glossy brochure version – this is the real deal, sprinkled with my neuroses and questionable life choices.
Day 1: Arrival, Delhi Belly Panic (Mostly kidding… mostly)
Morning (6:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). Okay, first hurdle – surviving the immigration line. Seriously, why does it always feel like a staring contest? Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I'm in! Getting to the Ashtan Sarovar Portico is a taxi situation. Negotiating the price is a blood sport, but I’m sure I’ve come out on top, right? (Please tell me I’m right! I still don't trust my haggling skills). The journey itself is a sensory overload – cows, honking, vibrant colors, and a general air of controlled chaos. Love it! Arrive, check in, and immediately collapse on the bed. The room is surprisingly…clean. I was prepared for a certain level of…character.
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Attempt unpacking. Fail. Seriously, where do I even start? My suitcase vomited all its contents onto the floor. Decide to prioritize the essentials: phone charger, mosquito repellent (my blood type is apparently "Mosquito Magnet"), and a bottle of water. Then, a quick shower. The water pressure is…interesting. It's like a gentle suggestion of water. But hey, it's clean, and that's a win!
Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM): The hotel restaurant. Time to be brave. I am terrible at ordering from Indian menus. Everything sounds delicious and terrifyingly spicy all at once. I settle for something supposedly mild – a butter chicken. It’s… well, it’s pretty good. Kinda. The fear of Delhi-Belly looms large, however. Every tiny stomach rumble is a cause for panic. Every. Single. One.
Afternoon (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM): A "rest." Aka, a panicked Google search about food poisoning. I quickly realize that I never really took a break from my own life. The jet lag is hitting hard, and I consider adding a nap. Maybe I'll venture out later.
Late Afternoon/Early Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Actually, maybe I should find some place to clear my head, get out more. Head out to exploring. It's…intense. The sheer number of people, the sounds, the smells. I'm completely overwhelmed. I spot a quiet spot, sip a cup of tea. I make a mental note to try and learn a few Hindi phrases beyond "Namaste."
Dinner (8:00 PM - 9:00 PM): Back at the hotel. Too scared to venture out. Try the dal makhani. It's…delicious. Maybe I'm developing a resistance to the spicy thing? Then, collapse in a food coma.
Evening (9:00 PM - onwards): Netflix and deep internal debate about whether or not to take an Imodium.
Day 2: Qutub Minar and Culture Shock…and Maybe More Food
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Breakfast at the hotel. I'm feeling brave! The breakfast buffet. I've decided I must try the paratha. It's flaky, buttery, and utterly glorious. I'm officially addicted. Then, I force-feed myself some fruit. Gotta balance the carbs with something healthy, right?
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Qutub Minar! The taxi ride is still a rollercoaster of near misses. The Minar is breathtaking. Seriously. The scale of it! I spend an hour wandering around, getting lost in the history and dodging selfie sticks. I am so terrible at photos. I tried to take a cool one but it turned in to absolute disaster.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM): My stomach is rumbling. Need to fuel up. I spot a small, local eatery. It's chaos. Utter, beautiful chaos. I point desperately at a plate of something that looks…safe. It's…incredible. I have no idea what it is, but I love it. I think Delhi Belly has been banished!
- Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM): Attempt retail therapy. I venture into a local market, fully expecting an explosion of textiles and spices… and end up getting lost in the hustle. It's a glorious, overwhelming mess. I buy a scarf that I probably don't need but love. I also get aggressively chatted up by a jewelry vendor. I escape with my wallet (mostly) intact.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Back at the hotel. Needed a breather. The sensory overload is real! But I'm starting to acclimatize, a little. Now, I grab a coffee. Is it good? Who knows, I am just a fool! I'm just happy to relax in a bit.
- Dinner (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Going all-in on some Indian at the hotel restaurant. After much deliberation, I order something new! Oh, my god! It’s…spicy. Really, really spicy. My mouth is on fire. I'm sweating. But I can't stop eating it. This is what it means to be adventurous!
- Evening (8:00 PM - onwards): Collapse in bed. Check the weather forecast. Spend way too much time browsing Instagram with pictures. Consider adding an Imodium. Seriously, again.
Day 3: Embracing the Mess (And Possibly a Curry-Enhanced Bathroom Experience)
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Another paratha! I have fully embraced my carb-loving destiny.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Attempt to see the Lotus Temple. However, I discover it’s closed for renovation. Cue minor meltdown. I didn't check ahead! I should have planned. I'm a terrible tourist. Then, spend a moment just…staring at the road. The cows. The people. The sheer, untamed energy. I feel overwhelmed, then oddly, almost…peaceful.
- Lunch (12:00 PM - 1:30 PM): Embrace the hotel service to treat myself.
- Afternoon (1:30 PM - 4:00 PM): Embrace the hotel service to treat myself.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening (4:00 PM - 7:00 PM): Attempt to go shopping. However the shops are closed.
- Dinner (7:00 PM - 8:00 PM): I order another curry! The flavors are becoming the only things I can remember.
- Evening (8:00 PM - onwards): Reflect. Consider a life change. Then go to bed.
Day 4: Departure (and a final, poignant farewell to Delhi belly-induced paranoia)
- Morning (8:00 AM - 9:00 AM): One last paratha. I shall miss you, you beautiful, buttery beast.
- Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Check out. The hotel staff are incredibly friendly. I actually feel a little sad to leave. Delhi, you are a wild, wonderful, and slightly terrifying place.
- Late Morning/Early Afternoon (11:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Head to the airport. Last dose of Delhi traffic. I survive.
- Afternoon onwards: On the plane. Reflecting. I don't have an Imodium, so I have been spared. I might actually grow to like this place.
Post-Trip Ramblings:
This trip wasn't perfect. I got lost, overwhelmed, and ate way too much spicy food. But I also laughed, experienced incredible things, and pushed myself outside my comfort zone. Delhi, you're a tough nut to crack… but I think I'm slowly, tentatively, starting to understand you. And maybe, just maybe, I'll come back for more. Now, where can I buy a paratha in my own country?
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Unveiling Delhi's Hidden Gem: Ashtan Sarovar Portico's Untold Secrets! (Or, What They Don't Tell You!)
(Prepare for the unfiltered truth... and maybe a few tears of laughter)
Okay, so Ashtan Sarovar Portico... is it really all that? Or just another hotel trying to sell me on, well, everything?
Alright, buckle up, buttercup. I went in with low expectations, I'll be honest. Delhi can be...Delhi. You know? Chaotic, overwhelming, and sometimes, just plain disappointing. But Ashtan Sarovar? It surprised me. Properly surprised me. It's not perfect, let's be clear. But it’s got this... *charm*. Like, maybe a slightly grumpy, secretly-a-softie kind of charm.
I went there with my annoying cousin, who constantly complains about everything. Even he, after a week, was a little... well, less annoying. He started smiling! That's saying something.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they actually as "luxurious" as the website claims?
Okay, "luxurious" is a loaded word, right? Yes, the rooms. Good. They're *good*. Spacious, clean (mostly - I saw *one* tiny dust bunny, but hey, nobody's perfect, especially not cleaning staff) and the beds are ridiculously comfy, like, you-don't-want-to-get-out-of-bed comfy. The showers? Hot water, which is an absolute lifesaver after a day battling Delhi's dust and heat. The air-conditioning worked a treat. I’m a sweaty person, so I really appreciated that.
But here's the kicker: the view! I had a room facing the pool, and honestly, sometimes I just sat and stared. It was a proper chill-out zone. Except... one morning, I was enjoying my coffee, and the maintenance guy started trimming the hedge *right* outside my window. Talk about an early wake-up call! That's the one thing that could be better, the view from the room.
The food! Tell me about the food! Is it edible? Is it *good* edible?
Oh, the food! The food! Breakfast is a whole thing. A chaotic, glorious, carb-filled thing. I'm talking dosa, paratha, eggs cooked every way imaginable, fruit that's actually *ripe*, and coffee that's strong enough to wake the dead. Seriously. I miss that breakfast. I miss it so, so much.
The lunch and dinner options? Also good. They have a decent menu, and the chefs clearly know what they’re doing. I had the murgh makhani one night which was just perfect. The staff will also adjust things to suit your taste. The thing I wasn’t so crazy about was the buffet - not much variety, but still edible and the price point is fair.
And what about the pool? Because honestly, Delhi heat is something else.
Okay, the pool. I'm not a massive pool person, but this one? I loved it. It was clean, it was refreshing (after a day wandering through the city's chaos), and it was a perfect spot to *do nothing*. The pool bar is another winner, they serve very inexpensive cocktails. I spent an afternoon there, reading and sipping a cocktail. It was pure bliss.
The only thing? The pool is popular, so it can get a little crowded at peak times and the staff need to enforce the rules a bit - I had to ask a family to stop their kids from splashing me.
Okay, okay, so the positive notes done... Any downsides? Spill the tea!
Alright, the bad stuff. Brace yourselves...
* **Location:** It's not exactly in the heart of the action. You'll need to factor in travel time to get to the main sights. Traffic in Delhi is a beast. Plan your day carefully.
* **Noise:** While the hotel itself is generally quiet, you might hear traffic from the road - it's Delhi, you can't completely escape the cacophony. I'm a light sleeper, and it didn't bother me *too* much, but pack earplugs if you're sensitive.
Honestly, there aren't that many huge downsides.
Oh, and one thing… the Wi-Fi. It's patchy sometimes. Like, really patchy. Prepare to disconnect and embrace the blissful lack of internet sometimes - it was a good change.
The staff - are they helpful? Annoying? Somewhere in between?
The staff... Honestly, they were a highlight. Seriously. Everyone I interacted with – from the front desk to the room service – was friendly, helpful, and genuinely seemed to care. They're the kind of people who remember your room number (and your coffee order, if you're lucky) and go the extra mile to make you feel welcome. They did make a mistake with my room bill at the end, but sorted it out quickly with no fuss.
They are amazing!
So, to summarize, would you recommend Ashtan Sarovar Portico?
Yes. Absolutely, a resounding YES. With caveats, of course. If you're expecting perfection, you'll be disappointed. If you're looking for a fancy, sterile, soulless hotel, go somewhere else. But if you want a comfortable, clean, well-maintained hotel with friendly staff and decent food? Ashtan Sarovar Portico is a great choice. it was a nice escape from the madness of Delhi.
I'll go back. Maybe I'll even take that annoying cousin with me again. Maybe.
Okay, you mentioned the pool bar. Tell me about that glorious experience, would you?
Alright, buckle up for the pool bar rant. Or, rather, the pool-bar-turned-epiphany. I'm not even a big drinker, okay? But the Delhi heat, the chaos, the constant "taxi, madam? tuk-tuk?"… it gets to you. One afternoon, I wandered over to the pool bar, defeated and slightly sun-stroked. Sat down, ordered a Mojito (because, why not?), and just… *breathed*.
And the Mojito? Surprisingly good. Not the best I've ever had, but it was cold, refreshing, and exactly what I needed. The bar itself was basic but fine. But the atmosphere... that was the magic. The sound of the water, the gentle buzz of conversations, the feeling of the sunStay Mapped
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