Aarya Grand: Ahmedabad's Most Luxurious Hotel Escape?
Aarya Grand: My Ahmedabad Luxury Escape (Spoiler Alert: Not Without a Few Hiccups!)
Okay, so I just emerged from a weekend at the Aarya Grand in Ahmedabad, and let me tell you, the "luxury escape" tagline is definitely… ambitious. But hey, ambition is good, right? It’s like, what didn't they promise? And while it wasn't all smooth sailing (more on that later!), it definitely had its moments of genuine wow.
SEO & Metadata First, Because Apparently, That's Important (Even for My Ramblings):
- Keywords: Aarya Grand, Ahmedabad, luxury hotel, India, accessibility, wheelchair accessible, spa, swimming pool, restaurants, Wi-Fi, fitness center, hotel review, travel, Gujarat
- Description: A detailed and honest review of the Aarya Grand hotel in Ahmedabad, India. Includes personal experiences, critiques, and insights on amenities like accessibility, dining, spa, and overall experience.
- Category: Travel, Hotel Reviews
Getting In (and Around): Accessibility - A Mixed Bag
First impressions are important. Now, I don’t need wheelchair access, but I always check it out because it tells you a lot about a place. And here? Mixed bag.
They say they're wheelchair accessible, and yes, there's an elevator. That's good. But the reality is, it's more like "wheelchair tolerable." Some of the hallways felt a little tight, and the ramps weren't always ideally placed. It’s definitely better accessibility than some places I've seen in India, but could be improved. Like, the concierge was super helpful (and let’s be honest, super polite), but he had to physically guide a guest using a wheelchair through a slightly awkward turn. That could’ve been more seamless. Also, I don't think I ever saw any dedicated wheelchair parking near the entrance.
(Accessibility rating: 3.5/5 - room for improvement, guys!)
Rooms: So Much to Take In
My room… okay, my room was pretty impressive. Honestly, the "Available in all rooms" list is long. Let’s see… Air conditioning? Check. Bathrobes? Check. Coffee/tea makers? Double Check! (And the tea was actually pretty decent!). The "extra long bed" was definitely needed because I'm a tosser. The "blackout curtains" were a godsend for sleeping in, which is important for a luxury escape.
The bathroom? I'm talking "separate shower/bathtub" situation. Fancy. The "slippers" were a nice touch. I even had a “mirror” to check, you know, if I'm still presentable (which is a coin flip, most days).
One minor gripe? The "internet access – LAN" option seems a bit, well, old school. Who even uses LAN cables anymore? The "Wi-Fi [free]" was indeed, free. The connection was a bit dodgy in certain areas, I'll admit. I nearly chucked my laptop out the window trying to deal with it one day.
Now, the soundproofing… soundproofed… well, not entirely. Heard the neighbor’s phone ringing once. But that's not a huge deal, overall the rooms are quite comfortable.
(Room rating: 4/5 – mostly excellent, could use a Wi-Fi upgrade!)
Dining: Feast or Famine? More Like Feast… Mostly!
Oh. My. Goodness. The food. Prepare to loosen your belt.
Restaurants: Okay, they have restaurants. Plural! Asian, International, Vegetarian options… you name it. The "A la carte" dinners at the main restaurant were divine.
Breakfast: "Breakfast [buffet]" - the king of all hotel functions. The buffet was EPIC. So much to choose from - from the Western options of “bacon and eggs” to local Ahmedabad specialties. The “Asian breakfast” offerings were particularly interesting. I got to try some South Asian snacks.
The Coffee Shop: The hotel had a Coffee Shop, which provided much enjoyment to me.
The Happy Hour: Happy hour was… well, happy! The pool-side bar was the ideal place to spend some hours.
Room Service: 24-hour room service? Yes, please! One night, I ordered a mountain of fries at 3 AM (don't judge). The food arrived super quick. Honestly, a lifesaver when the hunger hits.
Hygiene: And! A big plus, "Sanitized kitchen and tableware items," and "Safe dining setup" are very reassuring. They take cleanliness seriously.
Disappointment: One serious gripe about the food- they should have more vegetarian options on the restaurant menus.
(Dining Rating: 4.5/5 - mostly flawless, with some slight hiccups.)
Things to do (or, Ways to Eventually Relax):
Okay, the "ways to relax" section? That I was really looking forward to. This is where the "luxury" should shine.
- The Spa: The "Spa" was a total winner. I got a "massage," because, you know, luxury. The masseuse was skilled. I emerged feeling like a new person. The "Sauna" and "Steamroom" rounded out the zen experience. One observation: that body scrub was intense! But excellent!
- The Pool: "Swimming pool [outdoor]" and "Pool with view" are true. The pool itself was gorgeous, with a fantastic view. It was surprisingly peaceful. I spent hours there, floating, thinking, occasionally spilling my drink. (it happens to the best of us.)
- Fitness Center: The "Fitness center" was well-equipped. I, of course, did not spend any time in it. But it looked very enticing to active people.
- The Kids Club: I'm not a kid, so I didn't explore "Kids facilities." But the facility was there.
(Relaxation Score: 4/5 – very good! The spa alone is worth the price of admission!)
The Real World Cracks Appearing
Now, here’s where the perfect veneer of luxury gets a little… cracked.
- The Service Shuffle: While the staff was genuinely friendly and trying – bless them – there were a few moments where things felt a little chaotic. One day, my room wasn't cleaned until late afternoon. Another time, my room service order was totally messed up (hello, wrong sandwich!). These hiccups were minor, but break the illusion.
- The Internet Glitch: The Wi-Fi. Oh, the Wi-Fi. It dropped. Constantly. I tried to work one day, and it was near impossible.
Cleanliness and Safety: A Reassuring Fortress
I was ridiculously impressed with the cleanliness and safety measures. They take everything seriously.
- In Action: Frequent disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer stations everywhere, staff wearing masks: and there weren’t many guests in sight without masks (that gave me confidence).
- Protocols: Plus, "Anti-viral cleaning products", "Rooms sanitized between stays", "Staff trained in safety protocol", and "Cashless payment service" - all good.
(Cleanliness & Safety Rating: 5/5 - top marks!)
Services and Conveniences: The Nitty-Gritty
- Conveniences: I was impressed by the "Concierge" who helped arrange things such as travel.
- Business Facilities: The hotel had good "Business facilities."
- Other Services: "Laundry service," "Dry cleaning", "Luggage storage”.
(Services Rating: 4/5 - mostly great, could be even better.)
Final Verdict:
Despite a few bumps in the road, the Aarya Grand is a really good hotel. The spa is amazing, The food is incredible, and the rooms are comfortable and pleasant. The staff truly tries to be helpful. The amenities are plentiful.
If you're looking for true, seamless, effortless luxury, you might still find a few glitches. But if you want a great experience with a good location, I’d say give it a shot. I’m glad I went.
(Overall rating: 4/5 – A fantastic escape, with just enough imperfections to make it interesting!)
Unbelievable Luxury: SUPER OYO 991 Mayfair Hotel Kuching Awaits!
Okay, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is a chaotic, possibly disastrous, but hopefully hilarious, rollercoaster ride through Aarya Grand Hotels & Resorts in Ahmedabad, India. (Let's just pray I make it out alive with all my limbs intact – and my sanity, a distant second.)
Aarya Grand Hotels & Resorts: My Ahmedabad Adventure (or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Thali)
Day 1: Arrival and the Accidental Spice Bath (Oh God, My Eyes!)
- 8:00 AM (ish) - Arrival at the Airport: So, the flight was… long. Let’s just say I’ve developed a suspicious relationship with airplane peanuts. Grabbed a cab (or rather, wrestled one into submission with vague hand gestures and the promise of extra rupees) and headed for the Aarya Grand. I'm already sweating buckets, climate shock is real.
- 9:00 AM - Check-In Chaos (and the First Impression of the Hotel): The lobby is… grand. Marble floors, chandeliers that could house small families, and a helpful gentleman in a turban who, bless his heart, probably understood about 30% of my panicked questions. The room? Surprisingly decent. Not the Taj Mahal, but clean, with AC that (thankfully) works. Let the battle against the relentless Indian heat commence.
- 10:00 AM - The "Welcome Drink" and the Initial Panic: They offered a "welcome drink" which turned out to be something vaguely citrus-y and fizzy. I'm pretty sure it doubled my perspiration output. The travel fatigue is sinking in, and I'm starting to feel like a lost, sweaty penguin.
- 11:00 AM - The Accidental Spice Bath Disaster: I went to the lovely hotel's spa. I asked for a "relaxing massage." What I got was a… well, let's call it a highly aromatic experience. Turns out, "relaxing" in India apparently involves a generous application of what smelled suspiciously like a combination of turmeric, chili peppers, and something vaguely resembling crushed insects. My eyes burned. My sinuses wept. I emerged looking like a cross between a lobster and a walking spice rack. Lesson learned: ALWAYS clarify what "relaxing" actually means.
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at the Hotel Restaurant: The Thali Triumvirate: Thali, thali, thali. It was the only word I understood on the menu. (Okay, and “chicken.”) The food was… an explosion of flavors! So good! I’m talking every flavor I've ever known to be present in the food were there in my food. I ate far too much, but the sheer deliciousness and variety was worth it. I may never eat again (or at least, not for a couple of hours), but this Thali experience alone justified the whole trip. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
- 3:00 PM - The Nap of the Century: The Thali, the heat, the spice bath… it all combined into a perfect storm of exhaustion. I passed out. Slept for a solid three hours. Woke up feeling like a new person (albeit a very sleepy, slightly orange-tinged new person).
- 6:00 PM - Stumbling Around and the "Lost" Attempt: I wanted to see the old center of Ahmedabad, but I wasn't so sure about the streets. I was completely disoriented, weaving through the crowded streets, dodging auto-rickshaws that seemed to be piloted by kamikaze squirrels. I'm pretty sure I saw a cow wink at me. Definitely got lost. Wandered. Found a chai stall and watched the sunset, and it was pretty amazing.
Day 2: Heritage Walk, and the Deep-Fried Dilemma
- 9:00 AM - The Heritage Walk (Mostly Surviving the Heat): Armed with a bottle of water the size of my head, I joined a guided heritage walk through the old city. The architecture was beautiful! The chaos was… intense. Narrow streets, throngs of people, the smell of a thousand different spices (some pleasant, some… less so). The guide was great, or at least I think so, he did say a lot of things, even though I barely managed to comprehend them as all the sounds in the streets.
- 12:00 PM - Lunch: The "Mystery Meat" Incident (I Think I'm a Vegetarian Now): I attempted to be adventurous. I tried a street food stall. I ordered something deep-fried and crispy. It was delicious. Until I found out later that it was probably a particularly chewy cut of something. My stomach did a little flip. I think I'm embracing vegetarianism for the rest of the trip.
- 2:00 PM - Pool Time (and a Near-Drowning Experience): The hotel pool was a blessed oasis. Just… don't ask me how I nearly drowned in the shallow end. Let's just say I'm not a graceful swimmer and leave it at that and let's not talk about it.
- 4:00 PM - Shopping: The Bargaining Battleground: The local markets were tempting. I bought a scarf. Then, I had to defend my wallet from relentless bargaining. It was a battle. I felt like a gladiator, wielding a credit card. I'm starting to see the appeal.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner: Back to that reassuring Thali, please and thanks. This time, I’ll eat it more slowly, savoring every bite.
Day 3: The Grand Finale (and the Dreaded Departure)
- 9:00 AM - A Final, Glorious Thali: Yes, you guessed it. More Thali. Because, why not? Because, it’s delicious!
- 11:00 AM - Souvenir Shopping (For Real This Time): With a better grasp of the local prices, I've become a bargaining ninja. I am ready to take on the world!
- 1:00 PM - One Last Relaxing Massage (Without the Spice Bath, Thank You Very Much): This time, I made it very clear: "No chili peppers. No crushed insects. Just… relaxation." The massage was good, a little relief.
- 3:00 PM - The Goodbye Chai and the Emotional Rollercoaster: Sitting by the pool, drinking my last chai, I am trying not to be more sad than usual. The fact is that I think I've fallen in love with Ahmedabad. The chaos, the food, the heat… it's all part of the charm. The end is here, and it feels surreal.
- 5:00 PM - Departure: Bye-bye Ahmedabad. Until next time. I will never forget the smell of the spices, the friendly faces, and the exquisite, yet terrifying, Thali. Until the next trip, thank you Ahmedabad, and Aarya Grand Hotels & Resorts!
Final Thoughts:
This trip was a mess. I was lost, sweaty, occasionally on the verge of a mental breakdown. But it was also amazing. It was real. It was undeniably me. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Now I need a vacation to recover from my vacation, haha!
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Sofa Gallery Hotel, Nong Khai!
Aarya Grand: FAQ's (Because Let's Be Real, We Have Questions!)
Is Aarya Grand REALLY as Luxurious as it Sounds? Like, My Budget is Ramen Noodles for a Month Luxurious?
Okay, let's be honest. "Luxurious" is thrown around like confetti these days. And yeah, Aarya Grand *is* pretty swanky. Think marble, chandeliers, the whole shebang. My jaw actually *dropped* when I walked into the lobby. I felt like I should be wearing a monocle and a top hat (which, sadly, I don't own).
Now, ramen-noodle budget? Probably not. Unless you're REALLY resourceful with coupons. I'd say it's more of an "I've been saving for a splurge" kind of place. But the experience? It's worth saving for! I mean, I once went for a week on instant noodles. That experience? I do NOT recommend. Aarya Grand? 10/10 would go back (when my bank account recovers).
The Food! Tell Me About the Food! Is it just fancy food, or is it actually GOOD? And Do They Have a Good Breakfast?
Alright, food. This is a big one. I'm a foodie, let's say. The restaurants at Aarya Grand… they are something else. Yes, it's fancy. Like, dishes you’ve never even heard of (and that I could barely pronounce) fancy. But the flavor? Incredible. The presentation? Instagram-worthy. My stomach, well, it was in foodie heaven.
The breakfast buffet...oh, the breakfast buffet! I have a dedicated food journal entry just for that. They have everything, from the usual (eggs, bacon, pastries - and they do these REALLY well) to authentic Gujarati delicacies (dhokla, thepla – oh my god, thepla!). I swear, I ate so much I nearly had to be rolled out of there. Let me just be honest: I spent *hours* at the breakfast spread. It was a glorious, food-coma-inducing experience. Don't skip breakfast. Seriously.
What's the Deal with the Pool? Is it Actually Relaxing or Just a Crowd of Lounging People?
The pool...it's a mixed bag, really. On the one hand, it's gorgeous. Sparkling water, beautiful views, the works. It *looks* incredibly relaxing. The reality? I did find a bit of jostling sometimes. Lots of people and families, including those of the type that love splashing. So it wasn't *always* completely zen.
Also, I might be slightly biased. I did, on my first visit, manage to drop my phone in the pool. Thankfully, it was waterproof (thank you, technology gods!). But the sudden panic? Not relaxing. Plus, the lifeguard offered me a towel that was 5 shades of grey. I'm still not sure if that was a fashion statement or if the towels were just well-used. So, proceed with a touch of caution...and maybe keep your phone *OUT* of your hands while you're at it. But the vibe is, overall, a good one. Just be prepared for the potential splash zone.
Is the Service Good? Are the Staff Friendly (or just pretending to be)?
Okay, this is where Aarya Grand really shines. The service is *impeccable*. I mean, they anticipate your needs before you even realize you have them. It's borderline spooky, but in a good way! They're genuinely friendly, not the forced-smile-and-robotic-greeting type. They seem to actually *care*.
I remember once, I was struggling with my luggage (a real beast of a suitcase, I tell you). The staff member smiled, took one look – and practically *levitated* the thing to my room. I was so impressed! Another time, I made a small mess in the room (let us say, a chocolate explosion with a side of spilled coffee – don't ask!). They cleaned it up so fast, I swear they had the magic of Mary Poppins on their side. Really, the service is a huge part of the experience. It makes you feel like you're actually *being looked after*.
What Activities are There to Do At/Near the Hotel? I'm Not Just Going to Sit in My Room, Right?
You're right, you shouldn't! You could stay in the room and binge-watch shows (tempting!), but there's SO much more. The hotel itself has a spa (hello, massage heaven!) and a fitness center (for those with more willpower than I have, which is most people).
Nearby, you've got historical sites, vibrant markets, and all the delicious street food Ahmedabad has to offer. I spent an afternoon exploring the old city, getting lost in the narrow streets, and sampling everything I could get my hands on. Be warned: you will overeat. It's inevitable. Pack comfortable shoes because you'll be doing a lot of walking. On my visit, I just about managed to eat a whole giant piece of jalebi. It was glorious and terrible all at once. And I'm not sure I've *ever* walked so much. (The next day, I needed a massage, obviously).
How's the Wi-Fi? Because, let's face it, we *need* Wi-Fi these days.
Ah, the modern dilemma. The Wi-Fi. Okay, good news: it's generally pretty solid. Fast enough to stream, to work a LITTLE, and to post those jealousy-inducing Instagram stories of your luxurious getaway. I put it to the test, of course – I mean, research! – and can confirm that it handles multiple devices without too much trouble.
However, there was one tiny hiccup. On the first day I was there, I had a minor meltdown when I was trying to download a huge TV show on my laptop. It took a little longer than expected, but it wasn't a huge deal. So, be prepared for the occasional minor blip, but overall, the Wi-Fi is reliable. (Just don't tell the boss you're "working" when you're really binge-watching.)
Okay, Spill the Tea: Any Downsides? Any Minor Annoyances I Should Know?
Alright, time for some honesty. No place is perfect, not even the Aarya Grand. One minor annoyance? The price. I mean, it's worth it, but still! My bank account cried a little.
Also? The elevators. Sometimes...they're a bit slow. Especially during peak times. I once got stuck in one for about a minute (which felt like an eternity, because I was late for breakfast!). But hey, adds character, right? Ultimately, these are very small complaints. The good far outweighs the bad. Just don't expect perfection. Expect luxury, good service, delicious food, and a truly memorable experience...and maybe bring aHotels Near Your
