MY EXPERIENCE OF THE GRAND HOTEL:
This seventy room hotel is situated about five kilometers from the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in the very well maintained Army Cantonment area of Agra. The area is clean, safe and peaceful and a ten minute walk to the bazaar. The hotel is over priced.
The rooms are very large and have a queen size or two twin beds, TV, fridge/bar and in-room heater. Hot water from the central boiler flows freely after the tap is opened for a few minutes. The washroom/toilette is also quite large and well laid-out. The rooms to the left of the reception area seem to be better than the more exposed single line of rooms on the right side of the reception. The lawns are well maintained.
The Restaurant food was over-priced and had lots of MSG and commercial tomato sauce. I recommend eating elsewhere though it was difficult to find hygienic alternatives in the vicinity.
Service was VERY poor. I asked for a 6.30 am wake-up call which never happened. I asked that my room NOT be cleaned as I did not want anyone entering my room but when I came back from sight seeing my room had been cleaned and the key had been left in the lock so anyone could have stolen my stuff! This is simply unacceptable.
The extra charge for internet access is simply absurd as similar hotels in India and even student hostels in other parts of the world provide free internet access.
The travel desk run by Nikhil Tours was helpful. . But DO bargain prize down at least one quarter
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THE GRAND HOTEL:
The location, large rooms and cleanliness. The owners lived on the same property but I had no time to meet and discuss my concerns.
The Travel Desk.
IMPROVEMENTS:
Staff must be better trained. The owners should personally address guest concerns. No MSG or commercial tomato sauce should be used in the food.
THINGS TO DO:
Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Deyal Bagh, Sikandara.