Service

I've realised something recently that gives me patriotic joy - the Indian hospitality industry is far more advanced than our western counterparts.

During my work at my previous job, I would often stay in hotels in different cities in India. Though expensive and tough to book into, the quality of service, food, promptness of staff were all exemplary. The Taj, Oberoi and even ITC Welcomgroup chain of hotels all met this quality bar nicely.

Contrast that to my recent experiences. In Phuket, I lived at the Hilton. Nice rooms and great views, but once when I was ravenously hungry and ordered some food and tea, the room service manager refused to serve anything, saying that they were short of staff!! After some cajoling, she finally agreed to send something after 60 minutes, and after 120 minutes of waiting, I was almost eating the pillows!! This was not a one-off during the week that I was there.

Similarly, the Marriott in London has got a great location, but the service leaves much to be desired. For one, it is devilishly expensive. But we can let that pass. After having my clothes misplaced, and after not getting a wireless broadband signal inspite of paying a bomb for it, I have formed a pretty unflattering view of the place. And the gym they have is a joke!

I've had not too great experiences with the Westin in Sydney, the Millennium in London too. But the Taj in Mauritius was awesome. The Indian connection? A lot of my European colleagues who have been to India and stayed at hotels there hold similar opinions.

I think its time for Indian Hotels, ITC, Asian Hotels and their ilk to go out and conquer the world. Maybe I should buy their stocks in anticipation!!