Luxury Redefined: Discover Hotel D.P.S. International in Allahabad!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving DEEP into Hotel D.P.S. International in Allahabad. Forget those sterile, boring reviews. This is going to be… well, it's going to be a thing. A beautiful, chaotic, and hopefully helpful thing. Let's get messy!
Luxury Redefined: My Allahabad Adventure (and the Hotel That (Mostly) Made it Shine)
Right, Allahabad. Gotta be honest, I went in with… expectations. Let’s just say, visions of dusty streets and… well, not luxury. But Hotel D.P.S. International? It tried. And in some ways, it succeeded spectacularly. Others… well, we’ll get there. Let's break this down, starting with the all-important, and sometimes complicated categories:
Accessibility (and the Dreaded Stairs!)
Okay, so full disclosure: I'm not in a wheelchair. But I am obsessed with accessibility, because frankly, everyone deserves a good hotel experience. Accessibility: Yes! Wheelchair accessible: Yes, they say. Elevator: YES! (Phew. Though, the elevator wasn't exactly the fastest, but hey, it worked). The main areas seemed pretty navigable. BUT (and there’s ALWAYS a but, isn't there?) There was a slightly awkward ramp situation at the entrance to the dining area. It looked accessible, but I confess I didn't actually test it with a wheelchair. So, take that with a grain of salt. Facilities for disabled guests: They say they have ‘em. I’d suggest calling ahead and confirming specifics.
Internet: Bless the Wi-Fi Gods (Mostly)
Internet access: Yes! Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! HALLELUJAH! Internet [LAN] Yes, for those who still live in the past… like my dad. Internet services: Pretty good, actually. Solid enough for streaming and, crucially, uploading Instagram stories of my breakfast. 🤪 Wi-Fi in public areas: Yep, and it mostly worked, which, in India, is practically a miracle.
Cleanliness & Safety: Feeling Sanitized?
Important stuff, especially in these post-pandemic times. Anti-viral cleaning products: They claim to use ‘em. Daily disinfection in common areas: Check! Hand sanitizer: Everywhere. (Good!) Hygiene certification: Unclear on the exact specifics. Rooms sanitized between stays: Yes, which is… reassuring. Staff trained in safety protocol: Well, they acted trained. Sterilizing equipment: I didn't see any, but hey, maybe it's discreet! 😂 Room sanitization opt-out available: Don't think so, but again, call and ask. CCTV in common areas: All over the place, making me feel… watched. CCTV outside property: Also present. Fire extinguisher: Present (thank God). Smoke alarms: YES!
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Food Glorious Food (and Some Hiccups)
Okay, this is where things get… interesting. Restaurants: Yep, plural! Poolside bar: Tempting, even though the weather during my stay wasn't all that convincing, the idea of a poolside bar is divine. A la carte in restaurant: Yes! Buffet in restaurant: Absolutely! (More on that later). Asian breakfast: Yes! Asian cuisine in restaurant: Present, and pretty decent. Western breakfast: Also on offer. (Breakfast [buffet] Yes! Breakfast service: Yes! Coffee/tea in restaurant: Yes! Coffee shop: No, not that I recall. Desserts in restaurant: Okay, the desserts were a glory. I mean, I’m talking legit, melt-in-your-mouth, wow desserts. Happy hour : I didn't catch any. International cuisine in restaurant: Yes! Room service [24-hour]: Yesssss! Crucial. Salad in restaurant: Present, and surprisingly fresh. Snack bar: Nope. Soup in restaurant: Yep! Vegetarian restaurant: Sort of. They definitely had a lot of vegetarian options, but it wasn’t exclusively vegetarian. Western cuisine in restaurant: Yep! Alternative meal arrangement: I didn't need it, but I'm sure they could accommodate.
The Buffet Battle: A Love-Hate Relationship
Okay. The breakfast buffet. This deserves its own section. Because it was… a rollercoaster. On the one hand, the variety was staggering. Pancakes! Eggs! Five kinds of chutney! Fresh fruit! It had it all. I mean, it was a cornucopia of carbs and deliciousness.
On the other hand… it was a little chaotic. Think bustling bodies, the inevitable spilled coffee, and the occasional slightly-stale samosa. (I'm not judging, I'm just being honest!) The staff were hustling to keep things refilled, but the sheer volume of diners meant that some of the food wasn't always piping hot.
BUT! The dosa was AMAZING. Seriously, some of the best dosa I've ever had. And the lassi? Forget about it. Pure, creamy, bliss. So, it’s a mixed bag. Go in with an adventurous spirit, and a willingness to fight for your dosa, and you'll probably emerge victorious.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa-tacular?
Spa: Yes, they have one! Spa/sauna: Yes! Pool with view: Well, the pool was nice. The view wasn't exactly the Eiffel Tower, but it was pleasant enough. Steamroom: Yes! Swimming pool: Outdoor pool! Swimming pool [outdoor]: Yep! I did not have time, but the pool looked inviting, a perfect place to relax. Fitness center: Yup! Gym/fitness: Present. Massage: They offer it! Body scrub: They do them. I got to take a tour and the room looks beautiful. Body wrap: Also available.
My Deep Dive (or the lack of it) into the Spa:
Look, I wanted to get a massage. I craved a massage. But time was short. And the Allahabad heat… well, let’s just say that sometimes, my bed won out over the allure of a body scrub. The Spa looked nice. The staff were friendly when I went to take a look around. But alas, no personal experience to bring.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter
Air conditioning in public area: Yes! Audio-visual equipment for special events: Yes, they seem ready for anything. Business facilities: They have ‘em. Cash withdrawal: Yes! Concierge: Present and helpful. Contactless check-in/out: Available! Convenience store: Nope. Currency exchange: I think so. Daily housekeeping: Yes! A godsend. Doorman: Yes! Dry cleaning: Yes! Elevator: Yes! Essential condiments: I am not sure about this one. Facilities for disabled guests: Mentioned above. Food delivery: Probably. Gift/souvenir shop: Yes! Indoor venue for special events: Yes! Invoice provided: Yes, I think. Ironing service: Yes! Laundry service: Yes! Luggage storage: Yes! Meeting/banquet facilities: Yes! Meetings: They host them. Meeting stationery: They have it. On-site event hosting: They do it. Outdoor venue for special events: Yes! Projector/LED display: I guess they have it. Safety deposit boxes: Yes! Seminars: Possible. Shrine: None. Smoking area: Yes! Terrace: Yes! Wi-Fi for special events: Yes! Xerox/fax in business center: Probably.
For the Kids: Is it Family-Friendly?
Babysitting service: Likely! Family/child friendly: Yes, in general. Kids facilities: They do have a play area, right? More info on this required. Kids meal: Likely!
Arrival, Departure, and All the Nitty-Gritty:
Access: Easy enough to find. CCTV in common areas: Everywhere! CCTV outside property: Yup. Check-in/out [express]: Possibly! Check-in/out [private]: Possible! Couple's room: Maybe! Exterior corridor: Nope. Fire extinguisher: Hope so! Front desk [24-hour]: YES! Huge plus. Hotel chain: Not sure, but it’s nice! Non-smoking rooms: Present.
Available in All Rooms (the Really Important Stuff):
Additional toilet: Not in my room. Air conditioning: Yes! (Thank GOD.) Alarm clock: Yes! Bathrobes: Yes! Bathroom phone: Nope. Bathtub: Yes! Blackout curtains: Yes! Carpeting: Yes! Closet: Present! Coffee/tea maker: Yes! Complimentary tea: Yes! Daily housekeeping: Yes! Desk: Yes! Extra long bed: Nah! Free bottled water: Yes! **Hair dryer
Escape to Paradise: Sun Suite Luxury at ITCC Manhattan Suites, Kota Kinabalu
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your glossy travel brochure. We're plunging into the chaotic, glorious, and likely slightly dusty reality of a stay at Hotel D.P.S. International By WB Inn in Allahabad, India. Prepare for a ride. And for me to lose track of time somewhere along the way.
Day 1: Arrival (and Immediate Regret?)
- 14:00 - Arrival at the Allahabad Train Station: Okay, so first impressions? Allahabad Station. Picture it: a symphony of honking rickshaws, insistent porters vying for your luggage (which you swear you packed lighter), and a general air of "organized chaos." My immediate thought? "Did I accidentally teleport myself into a Bollywood movie?" (Side note: I REALLY need to learn some Hindi).
- 14:30 - Rickshaw Ride of Doom: Negotiating a price for the rickshaw ride to the hotel was a battle. I'm pretty sure I paid double, but hey, the driver did avoid running over a gaggle of chickens. Small victories. The ride itself? A blur of vibrant colours, smells that ranged from delicious to "what IS that?", and a near-death experience involving a speeding tuk-tuk. (Internal monologue: "Never. Again. Will I use public transport.")
- 15:00 - Check-in at Hotel D.P.S. International By WB Inn: The hotel lobby? Surprisingly… functional. Beige walls, a slightly stern-looking receptionist, and a faint smell of something that could be air freshener or… something else. Let's go with air freshener. The room itself? Okay, let's be honest. My first thought as I entered the room was: "I hope there are no creepy crawlies." It wasn't exactly the Ritz, but it had a bed, a slightly questionable bathroom (more on that later), and A/C that actually worked (a win in Allahabad heat!).
- 15:30 - Deeper into the room: Okay, so the window looks out onto a bustling street. Nice. The bed sheet: thin, I already feel kinda cold. The mini-fridge: empty. (Internal monologue: "I really should have bought snacks.")
- 16:00 - Exploring the hotel: The rooftop terrace. Wow! What an amazing view! I want to stay here forever.
- 18:00 - Dinner at the hotel's restaurant: Ordered the butter chicken. Heart eyes! I ate like it was my last meal. It was delicious!
Day 2: Praying and People Watching and Praying Again
- 07:00 - Wake up (courtesy of the incessant car horns): Ah, the sweet serenade of Indian traffic. Sleep? What sleep?
- 08:00 - Breakfast at the hotel: The breakfast buffet was… well, it was there. A questionable attempt at "continental breakfast" (stale bread, watery juice), alongside some actual, delicious Indian staples. The paratha was worth it.
- 09:00 - Re-exploring the rooftop: The view is again astonishing, and it offers a better perspective on the city.
- 10:00 - Exploring the city: I need to go to the bank and get some money. This is proving to be a task. I try the tourist office, but it is closed.
- 13:00 - Back to the hotel for a snooze: I go to bed and get a better sleep and get some energy back. It is a great sleep.
- 14:00 - Lunch at the hotel: The service is quick and the food is good. I meet a new friend and have great conversations.
- 16:00 - Visiting the Sangam (Confluence of Rivers): Okay, this was something else. Witnessing the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers? It was surreal. The boat ride was… interesting. Let's just say the boat was rickety, the engine coughed a lot, and I'm pretty sure I saw a cow bathing. The atmosphere was intense. So many people, so much reverence. I saw people bathing and offering their prayers - amazing to witness.
- 18:00 - Back to the hotel.
- 19:00 - Dinner time: I go and eat dinner, and I find myself eating on the terrace with the view.
Day 3: Departure (and a Melancholy Farewell to the Chaos)
- 07:00 - Wake up: I can’t believe how fast time has flown by. I don’t actually want to leave.
- 08:00 - Breakfast again: I can’t believe how good and cheap the food is at the hotel.
- 09:00 - Re-exploring the hotel: I have one last walk around the hotel.
- 10:00 - Checkout: It's hard to say goodbye to the hotel, I am a bit sad.
Final Thoughts:
Hotel D.P.S. International? It's not the lap of luxury. It's not perfect. It's gritty. It's real. And you know what? I kinda loved it. Yes, I had moments of "what have I gotten myself into?" but the genuine warmth of the people, the vibrancy of the city, the experience… it's something. Allahabad, you weird, wonderful place. I'll be back. Maybe. Eventually, after I've recovered from all the dust and horns.
Unbelievable Snow Mountain Views from Lijiang's Secret Courtyard Retreat!
Luxury Redefined: Discover Hotel D.P.S. International in Allahabad! (Okay, Maybe...) - FAQs with a Side of Chaos
So, what *exactly* is "Luxury Redefined" supposed to mean? I'm picturing a solid gold toilet.
Okay, amenities. What are we talking about? Pool? Spa? And did they actually work?
Let's talk about the rooms. Were they… clean? And comfortable? Because, really, comfort is king. Or queen. And maybe a prince or princess if we're feeling fancy.
What about the food? Because a good meal can make or break a stay. Tell me everything! Was it edible? Was it *good*?
Would you go back? Be honest! No sugarcoating!
Hospitality Trails
