Indore's BEST Hotel? OYO Chanakya's SHOCKING Secret Revealed!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving HEADFIRST into the swirling, sizzling, sometimes-slightly-stinky heart of Indore hospitality: OYO Chanakya! And the "SHOCKING SECRET"? Well, maybe not shocking, but undeniably… interesting. This isn't just a review; it's a cathartic unloading of my Indore hotel experience. Prepare for honesty, imperfections, and maybe a touch of existential dread. Let's go!
First Impressions & The Accessibility Dance (Getting Started, Ugh):
Right, I'm gonna be brutally honest. Finding the place…was an adventure. Indore traffic is legendary, and even with Google Maps, I was convinced I was about to end up in someone's backyard. So, kudos to OYO Chanakya for actually existing where the map said it would. And a big fat maybe on the accessibility front. The entrance seemed relatively okay, ramps seemed available but I didn't personally test wheelchair the accessibility, a good start!
Getting My Digital Fix & Other Annoyances (Internet & All That Jazz):
Okay, internet access is a biggie. My livelihood (okay, my social media addiction) depends on it. They boasted "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!" and "Internet [LAN]!" – music to my ears! In reality? The Wi-Fi was… temperamental. Think dial-up in the 21st century. I had to huff and puff to make the Internet access through LAN. I'll admit, this almost ruined my day…
Things to Do & Ways to Pretend to Relax (Spa Daydreams & Fitness Fantasies):
Alright, let's talk pampering. OYO Chanakya offers a veritable smorgasbord of spa-related delights: Body scrub, Body wrap, fitness center, Foot bath, Gym/fitness, Massage, Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor]. Woah. I mean, sure, I did see a pool that looked… refreshing? (I never actually went in. I'm more of a Netflix-and-room-service kind of gal.) The gym? I peeked in. It looked functional. That's about as far as my fitness ambitions went. I did hear rumors of a massage place, but again, this is Indore and the quality can vary widely.
Keeping it Clean (Or, Is it?) & Safety Protocols (Sanitized or Not?):
Cleanliness is paramount these days, and OYO Chanakya claims to be on top of things. They advertise "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," "Hand sanitizer" and all the buzzwords. The "Rooms sanitized between stays" claim made me feel better. Still, a little part of me kept wondering about the invisible germs lurking in the air. I have my own sanitizer with me to be sure.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Fueling the Body & the Soul…or Not):
The food situation was… complicated. The presence of restaurants, coffee shops, and a bar was a plus. There was definitely a "Buffet in restaurant," which made me happy. I am a fan of Asian breakfast. I had a western breakfast which I didn't love. The availability of "Room service [24-hour]" was a lifesaver. Overall, the options were varied but the quality was a mixed bag.
Services & Conveniences (The Perks & The Paperwork):
They have all the staples: Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Essential condiments, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Seminars, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center. The whole deal. The staff were, in general, friendly and helpful.
For the Kids (If You Have Them, Godspeed):
I don't have kids, so I can't offer firsthand insights into the babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal. But the hotel seemed to cater to families, which is a plus.
The Room Itself (My Cozy (ish) Cave):
Okay, the room. This is where things got…real.
- The Good: Decent size! Air conditioning worked! Pillows that didn't smell of mothballs. A decent Shower, which I appreciated. Basic amenities.
- The "Meh": Mini Bar was missing, which I did want, but I did use the complimentary tea. The decor was a bit… bland? And the view from the window…well, let's just say it wasn't postcard-worthy.
- The "Wait… What?!": None. No major problems.
Getting Around (Escape from Indore):
Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking? Yep, they've got it. Navigating Indore is a challenge, so having these options is definitely welcome.
The "SHOCKING SECRET" (Drumroll Please…):
Okay, the shocking secret? There isn't one, really. It's not a bad hotel. It's a middle-of-the-road hotel.
Final Verdict & Compelling Offer:
Is OYO Chanakya Indore's "BEST" Hotel? Not exactly. But it is a solid choice.
So, here's YOUR Offer:
Tired of the Indore Blues? Craving Comfort After the Chaos?
Book your stay at OYO Chanakya NOW and get:
- Discounted Room Rates
- Guaranteed Wi-Fi to help you enjoy the Internet
- Free breakfast,
- Free Car Parking -
- 24/7 Room service
- Cleanliness
- Safety and Security
CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW!
Important Considerations:
- Manage your expectations, it's a business-travel hotel.
- Pack your own snacks, just in case.
- Pre-book your transport.
- Enjoy the local cuisine but make sure to choose a safe one.
- It's not perfect, but it's a decent place to lay your head in Indore.
So there you have it. My honest, messy, and hopefully helpful review of OYO Chanakya. Book it, don't book it…the choice is yours. Just prepare yourself for the Indore experience!
Star Residence Dhaka: Luxury Redefined in Bangladesh's CapitalAlright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's perfectly-polished travel itinerary. This is the raw, unfiltered, probably-slightly-over-caffeinated truth of my stay at the OYO Hotel Chanakya in Indore, India. Prepare for a wild ride.
Day 1: Arrival & Initial Confusion (Plus, the AC Drama)
- 10:00 AM (Give or take an hour, because, you know, INDIA TIME): Landed at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport. Honestly, the smell of jet fuel mixed with something vaguely floral hit me like a ton of bricks. Very… evocative. Managed to haggle a rickshaw down to the OYO. Victory! Though, I suspect I still paid too much. Lesson learned: always go lower.
- 11:00 AM: Arrived at the OYO. First impression? "Eh." Not terrible, not amazing. The lobby smelled faintly of… something. Incense? Mild disappointment. Checked in, which involved a lot of pointing and smiling because my Hindi is, shall we say, rudimentary.
- 11:30 AM: Room. Ah, the room. Decent-ish. Clean enough, I guess. The view? Let's just say I've seen better. The air conditioning, however, was playing a game of hide-and-seek with me. It would blast icy air for five minutes, then decide to take a "breather" for an hour, leaving me sweating like a pig. The battle of the AC would be my internal drama.
- 12:00 PM: Forced myself to go out for lunch. Found a place nearby, and I swear the waiter was trying to speak to me in sign language.
- 2:00PM: The greatest feat of my life was to watch Netflix and not be bothered by the air con.
Day 2: The Food Coma & The Market Madness
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast at the hotel. Okay, the complimentary breakfast wasn't great, but it was free. Samosas were delicious. A big hug for the cook!
- 9:00 AM: Convinced myself I needed a nap. It was a mistake. I am unable to wake up after 2 hours of sleep.
- 11:00 AM: The best thing was that I did not wake up hungry! I ate the samosas again. I had another nap but this time I woke up.
- 1:00 PM: Stumbled out of the hotel and into Sarafa Bazaar. Holy Mother of God! It was sensory overload in the best way possible. The colours! The smells (some good, some… less so)! The sheer energy of the place! I bought a scarf that's probably way too bright for my complexion. No regrets.
- 4.00 PM: Spent the rest of the afternoon wandering through the market, eating more street food than I probably should have. Ended the day with a MASSIVE thali. I think I ate about 100 different items, from sweets to what might have been fried cardboard. Delicious fried cardboard. Food coma level: achieved.
- 7:00 PM: Back at the OYO. AC is still a dick. Contemplating writing a strongly-worded email to customer service. Decided against it because, frankly, I'm too lazy.
Day 3: The Temple & The Inner Turmoil (Plus More Food)
- 9:00 AM: A morning trip to the Khajrana Ganesh Temple. The colours, the energy, it was all very moving. I offered a prayer, mostly hoping the AC would finally sort itself out.
- 11:00 AM: Another meal. Still craving the great food.
- 12:00 PM: Back at the hotel. Now, I have to admit, the lack of AC was getting to me. I started to have feelings about it. Not happy feelings. More like "is it actually even possible to be this sweaty?" feelings. Started plotting a revenge scheme involving a giant, industrial-sized fan.
- 3:00 PM: I decided going to the mall to buy me some fans was a wonderful idea.
- 5:00 PM: I was tired of my life. I went for a walk.
- 7:00 PM: I have no idea what I eat. I just eat stuff.
Day 4: The Flight & The Farewell to Indore (AC Still Alive)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast. The omelette this time was questionable. But the samosas were consistent. At least, I knew I could rely on the fried goodness.
- 10:00 AM: Decided to check out. The front desk guy was friendly and did his best to understand my broken Hindi.
- 11:00 AM: Headed back to the airport. Goodbye, Indore. Goodbye, OYO Chanakya. Goodbye, unreliable AC. (Honestly, it worked properly the day I left. Typical.)
Final Thoughts:
Would I recommend the OYO Hotel Chanakya? It depends. It's not the lap of luxury, but it's affordable and gets the job done. If you’re a light sleeper, bring earplugs (the traffic is relentless). The AC? Consider it a character-building exercise. The food? Amazing. Indore itself is a whirlwind of a city, and I'm glad I experienced it, even with the drama of the hotel. And hey, maybe next time, the AC will be a little less… dramatic. Probably not.
Escape to Tekri Farms & Retreat: Ujjain's Hidden Paradise