Golden Oren Hotels and Spa

We stayed at 'New Mandala (Mahalsha Spa Resort)' during our trip to Darjeeling on June 6th and 7th, booked by our travel agency. Unfortunately, we encountered several issues:

1. The bedsheet was dirty, and the hotel PABX system was not working, requiring us to go down to reception to report it. They arranged a sheet change but didn't fix the PABX during our stay.

2. The premium room felt damp and wasn't up to the mark.

3. They didn't provide replacements for toiletries, coffee/tea sachets, or towels during our two-night stay.

4. Staff responsiveness and politeness were lacking. At checkout, they stopped us in front of others, claiming our bill was unclear without verifying.

5. No assistance was offered for carrying our luggage down the hill.

On the positive side, the food quality and meal times were good, and the hotel is conveniently close to the market.

Overall, our stay at New Mandala (Mahalsha Spa Resort) was below average.

Their staffs are really helpful and my kid enjoyed watching the TV channels, but this hotel will never give feeling like a hotel and you can forget about a feeling like resort once you checked in there. Please do not opt for breakfast. In case staying there, better you walk and have breakfast at mall. Restaurant really needs to be taken care of along with the facilities of rooms. People keep shouting throughout the night. So in case planning for Tiger Hill next day, better be aware. You can't trust their wifi.

Stayed here from 27th March 2023 7pm to 29th Early morning 5am.

Positives - Hotel was walkable from many good landmarks like Capitol Hall, Clock Tower, Mall Road, Chowrasta (Chowk Bazaar), Statue of Bhanubhakta Acharya. But there were many hotels around same location.

Negatives -
1. View was completely blocked. What the point of booking a hilltop hotel in such a case.
2. Absolutely Zero ventilation. Window pans were tied up. We could not even open the windows. What the hell!
3. No electricity on 28th morning. No power backup. Hence, no water supply.
4. No water backup. No water even for brushing. Water came when power came back. We got very late in getting ready.
5. Food was below average. No varieties. No ambience. Whats the point of buffet when you have nothing to choose from!!
6. They gave pic of Terrace view on their website. But terrace was closed most of the times. Total waste.
7. Staff was ok. But not that welcoming, like we had in Sikkim.
8. I would never visit this hotel again.

Overall rating - 0/5

Room 224 & 226 was stinking as they were in the middle of the corridor and bathroom ducts couldn't release the smell outside. we changed the room . I was told mine were highest category premium room.

Excellent hotel with spacious room and nice food. Nice room services and fully cooperative staff of the hotel. We enjoyed a lot in this hotel. Best hotel in our 10 - 12 days trip of Sikkim and Darjeeling.