Accommodation Review: Grand Hotel in Amritsar, India - Yahoo Voices - voices.yahoo.com

Sometimes called Grand Hotel, and sometimes called Hotel Grand, this hotel is an excellent mid-range option in Amritsar. It's conveniently located, has good value rooms, an excellent restaurant, and friendly service.

Location

Grand Hotel is located directly across from the train station (Amritsar JN). If you don't have much luggage, you can easily walk (provided you are comfortable darting through Indian traffic) across the street to the hotel. Otherwise, you can arrange a station pickup with the hotel. If you're coming from Attari/Wagha Border with Pakistan, usually you can negotiate with taxi drivers to pay the lower 'train station rate' instead of the 'hotel rate,' since the hotel is so close to the station.

The Golden Temple is not within walking distance, but you can easily arrange a bicycle or auto rickshaw to take you there since the hotel is located in a busy commercial area.

Rooms

Once inside the hotel, it's easy to forget that you are so close to the hubbub of the Amritsar train station. All rooms surround a peaceful garden. There are a variety of room rates, ranging from 1000 rupees ($21) for an AC garden-view single to 1850 rupees ($38) for a deluxe suite with breakfast included. Some rooms are nicer than others, so if you're looking to relax it may be worth spending a few extra rupees for a more comfortable room. You can see all the room rates here: Grand Hotel Tariffs

All rooms have private bathrooms, hot water, and plenty of blankets to keep you warm and cozy in winter.

Food

On the ground floor, Grand Hotel is home to a pub and a garden café. Prices are reasonable and food is hearty. For travel weary guests arriving from 'dry' Pakistan, it can be refreshing to see alcohol on the menu!

Service

At the Grand Hotel, you will always be greeted with a smile. The front desk can arrange taxis for you at pre-approved (and fair) rates. They can also help you book train tickets if you'd like. My husband and I would often take use of the taxi booking service if we wanted to travel to the Attari/Wagha border in the morning, and the taxi driver was always on time.

Whenever we travel through Amritsar, we always stay in the Grand Hotel. It's a bit more expensive than our usual budget accommodation in India, but the convenience, comfort and quiet is worth paying for. If for some reason you need to stay in Amritsar during the day and want a place to crash, you can pay a day rate (usually half tariff) for any vacant rooms.

Grand Hotel

OPP.RAILWAY STATION, QUEEN'S ROAD,
AMRITSAR - 143001
PUNJAB - INDIA

PHONE : 2562977, 2562424
FAX : 0183-2229677
E-MAIL : grand@jla.vsnl.net.in
Website - www.hotelgrand.in