From all outward appearance, this small hotel should be perfect. The staff is friendly and cheerful, the facility clean and upscale and the location perfect. That said, it is a management and design fail.
They offer a "breakfast buffet" similar to what you will find at any Day's Inn or Super Eight motel for free but without anything hot like eggs or sausage. The only other difference is the nicer decor and the fact they will charge you $16.95 should you touch even a bagel. Walking into the room you will assume this is the usual complimentary offering. The only hint of this outrageous gouge is a small 8X10 well concealed sign which you cannot read without you glasses. A tip: go around the corner to the Churchhill Hotel for breakfast.
The TV offers 38 channels, 7 of those get no signal to include The Weather Channel and Bloomberg Direct. On the wall there is panel which allows you to plug in your iPad or laptop (HDMI or composite) to access video. It doesn't work.
There should be a separate circle of Hell for those who "design" hotel rooms:
1. Room 407 contains a beautiful little device called "Le Cube" which would appear to be a coffee maker, however, no instructions for it's operation are on hand. You will find, if you are diligent, three tiny sealed foil containers which probably contain coffee. Now, what to do? There is a metal lever on top which opens to reveal a small slot to insert the coffee container and directly behind that is a larger hole in which to pour the water. So far, so good. The only cups provided are tiny espresso cups so I filled one, poured it in and hit the power button. The only product from the device was great noise. No coffee. Maybe not enough water? Another cup goes in with the same result. Not being fluent in Hindi, I was unable to get help with a call to the front desk. In the afternoon I found a maid and with my moderate Spanish together we solved the issue. There is a hidden door on the side of this wondrous device in which to pour the water! It still doesn't work but at least I now know how it should, if it did. I have no idea where the water I poured into the top has gone. For $30 one can buy a Mr. Coffee machine at Home Depot. That works.
2. While tiny, the bath room in 407 is beautifully appointed. It is not however very useful for the traveler. The elegant sink is all of two inches deep which means you can't wash your socks and underwear, as all travelers like to do. It further means that when leaning over the basin while shaving the water splashes all over you. A tip: the trash can has a hard plastic liner. Bingo. Remove it, add water, soap and laundry. You' re in business.
The lighting is bright and designed to accent the features of this beautiful bath. The only thing it will accent for the guest however is his bald spot. The upside is that you won't see all of your face at the same time. A welcome break for some.
3. Room 407, being itself small, contains only three shallow drawers. A desk drawer (no "desk", the TV sits on it), and two bedside table drawers. You will be living out of your suitcase. And be falling over it. There is nowhere to put that either. A tip: turn off the nice roomy fridge and put your clothes in there and have the front desk store your suitcase. While they are at it they could remove the desk chair to free up some floor space.
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