HILTON HOTEL
You’ll make friends in the hotel if you dare ….
to talk to the staff
(This is a real review, maybe a little personal, but I declare that the Hilton Hotel has not offered me any compensation for writing it.)
If you are arriving from overseas and head to the front desk, you are tired and need to go to sleep. The staff is there to welcome you and do not get scared or worried if someone (bellboy) comes and wants to help you with your luggage. Leave it to them. (I saw an arriving customer first thinking she was being robbed). Just head to the front/registration to check in (Credit card and maybe an ID card – I did not have to show mine). The staff will carry your luggage to your room once you are checked in.
The Hilton hotel staff members might not be as fluent in English as you might be. They come from different regions of India and their English pronunciation might vary a little. Just ask them to speak slower and you should also talk slowly to them. Both of you will benefit from the interaction. Do not dismiss their eagerness to help and make your stay as pleasant as possible.
In my second visit to Chennai, India, I decided to stay at the Hilton Hotel and not anywhere else. I had three years prior to that stayed there and enjoyed my stay and learned many things about India.
I arrived on Wednesday, November 13 at around 1:00 AM. The check-in was smooth and did not take long. After I woke up, I looked forward seeing the breakfast crew I had met in 2016 – Rakhi, Sabeena, Mayank, Mothi, etc. – They were not there. However, I met Sandeep who informed me that all had had moved to different jobs and even to different cities (What was I going to do with the chocolates I brought for them?)
I stayed there until Sunday when I left for Bangalore and came back the following Saturday, November 23. On Sunday, November 24, I was having breakfast when someone dressed in white approached my table. I lifted my eye to see Chef Mothi: He had come back to work at the Hilton two days earlier. A feeling of reconnection to the hotel reemerged in my heart. By now, I had one chocolate tablet left and I offered it to Chef Mothi. (If you are wondering what happened to the other chocolate tablets, well, I did not eat them. I had given them to my colleagues in Ascendas).
After my return from Bangalore, I stayed at the Hilton until Saturday, December, 14 and had many dinners at Vasco’s where they offer a variety of cuisine throughout a week. The helpers, Sandeep, Angala, Noorul and many others, will ask for your room number on the first day – They usually remember it the following days and walk with you to your favorite/regular place.
During breakfast, Aarzoo may interrupt your breakfast by offering you to try special crepes or French toast. You can refuse, she won’t be hurt. I did a few times.
The chefs, such Mothi, Hari, and Edwin, do go around the table to make sure the customers are satisfied with their choices. Make sure you compliment them or request a different dish. They’ll be happy to make sure you are satisfied. In addition, the chefs could prepare special dishes upon your request. In my case, I enjoy couscous with buttermilk, so Chefs Moth and Edwin made couscous with herbs for me several times. Chef Edwin also prepared couscous with nuts as a breakfast item too. Chef Hari will also offer his skills in creating any fish dish that you request from the fresh fish selection they have on special nights.
When it comes for food at Vasco’s, do not be shy and request non-spicy items and ask questions about different Indian dosas, which they can make in many different ways, including by adding potatoes inside. Be sure to indicate the level of spiciness you can handle to avoid potential food entry and exit issues. You can also try idli. However, I respectfully ask you to stay away from puri (they are full of oil. Not healthy). For deserts, I usually have some of the pastries they have prepared (at least 10 to twelves varieties) along with a cappuccino. In addition, a pastry chef is always available to prepare any specific crepe with your choice of nuts, jelly or Nutella spread. (see the attached pictures)
In short, do not order pizza or hamburgers with French fries, you will have many opportunities to eat them after you leave India. While in India, try the different foods whether at the Hilton or any other suggested places that the Hotel staff recommends.
The ladies dressed in beautiful sarees, Eipsita, Mamta, Sharnamrita, are welcoming and offer beautiful smiles and guests should respond with the same. Smiles break down barriers and start new relationship. They are there to help find your way in the hotel.
In the elevators, you might meet other hotel guests but also hotel staff. So do not shy at engaging them in a friendly conversation. In my case, I met Jyoti, a Hilton sales manager, as we were both heading to the lounge. When she asked for a permission to sit with me to find out about my stay, I accepted and gave her my feedback as I enjoyed a glass of wine. Given my interest in India, we also talked about her native place and their customs. We also discussed book reading, Nepalese alphabet, and Indian and North African customs.
In the elevator, I also met Manju, another staff member, that was quite a different story. We were several people in the elevator. When it stopped on the third floor, other customers left, except Manu and I. The door closed, and only Manju, who I had not met before, and I were in. She was looking at her phone, and I debated to break the ominous elevator silence. Suddenly, I shouted, “boo” at her, she jumped and ran out as the door had just opened on the first floor. (I will remember the Manju Boo story forever.)
The room service is excellent, and laundry is returned at the end of the day if the Landry bag is filled with your clothes in the morning. You do not need to leave the bag outside. You just fill the laundry form and leave the bag inside. The shirt and pants will be hung in the closet and the remaining items will be returned in a basket.
Each room has a security box for your valuable (passports etc..). Although the hotel declines responsibility of items left on the desk, I have not lost any item I left in the room. In fact, many times, I left many bills laying on the desk and none was stolen. (In fact, during my 2016 visit the laundry staff returned a $5 bill in an envelope. I must had left in a pocket of my jeans that I sent to be cleaned – An honest staff indeed). Your paper work and items on the desk will be neatly arranged, and therefore do not panic if you don’t see them where you left them. The house keepers may leave animals (not real ones) made with towels on your bed. (see pictures). These decorative items bring peace and life-like forms to the hotel room. (Kudos to Executive Housekeeper Umapathy and his team: Siva Jumar, Sri Raji, Vel Murugan, Siva Sankar who decorated my room with several gods and other animals). I even was treated to a demonstration of the making of a crocodile.
If you get access to the lounge on the fourth floor, use it to relax after a long of work. The staff, Sibin and others, will offer beer and wine and a variety of other drinks, cocktails that you can enjoy. You will have to give your room number to the staff. A few appetizers and nuts are made available. It is open from 6:30 PM till 8:30 AM when drinks can be requested. The last call might be extended by the staff (hint hint).
There is small but adequate training room for biking, running or bicycling equipment as well as a few weight lifting machines. From there, Chennai becomes a canvas of colored rooftops and a variety of buildings for miles. There are plenty of bottled water, energy bars, apples, and towels. Make sure you wipe the equipment with the wet paper towels after you exercise.
One floor up, you get to enjoy a rooftop view of Chennai. There a plenty of places to relax. There you can also grab a towel, shower, and get into the swimming pool. I did swim and relax there one week-end.
On Fridays and Saturday, the Q bar (roof top) becomes a gathering place for the locals who come to dance and have fun. You may meet Anand who is in charge of the place. He surprised when he approached and indicated that remembered me from my stay in 2016. It was nice of him to offer chips and nuts as I was sipping my beer.
You will probably not drive during your visit, but, if you do, they have a large parking lot on the left side of the hotel.
Still I believe that every review should include a few areas that the hotel management needs to improve:
to talk to the staff
(This is a real review, maybe a little personal, but I declare that the Hilton Hotel has not offered me any compensation for writing it.)
If you are arriving from overseas and head to the front desk, you are tired and need to go to sleep. The staff is there to welcome you and do not get scared or worried if someone (bellboy) comes and wants to help you with your luggage. Leave it to them. (I saw an arriving customer first thinking she was being robbed). Just head to the front/registration to check in (Credit card and maybe an ID card – I did not have to show mine). The staff will carry your luggage to your room once you are checked in.
The Hilton hotel staff members might not be as fluent in English as you might be. They come from different regions of India and their English pronunciation might vary a little. Just ask them to speak slower and you should also talk slowly to them. Both of you will benefit from the interaction. Do not dismiss their eagerness to help and make your stay as pleasant as possible.
In my second visit to Chennai, India, I decided to stay at the Hilton Hotel and not anywhere else. I had three years prior to that stayed there and enjoyed my stay and learned many things about India.
I arrived on Wednesday, November 13 at around 1:00 AM. The check-in was smooth and did not take long. After I woke up, I looked forward seeing the breakfast crew I had met in 2016 – Rakhi, Sabeena, Mayank, Mothi, etc. – They were not there. However, I met Sandeep who informed me that all had had moved to different jobs and even to different cities (What was I going to do with the chocolates I brought for them?)
I stayed there until Sunday when I left for Bangalore and came back the following Saturday, November 23. On Sunday, November 24, I was having breakfast when someone dressed in white approached my table. I lifted my eye to see Chef Mothi: He had come back to work at the Hilton two days earlier. A feeling of reconnection to the hotel reemerged in my heart. By now, I had one chocolate tablet left and I offered it to Chef Mothi. (If you are wondering what happened to the other chocolate tablets, well, I did not eat them. I had given them to my colleagues in Ascendas).
After my return from Bangalore, I stayed at the Hilton until Saturday, December, 14 and had many dinners at Vasco’s where they offer a variety of cuisine throughout a week. The helpers, Sandeep, Angala, Noorul and many others, will ask for your room number on the first day – They usually remember it the following days and walk with you to your favorite/regular place.
During breakfast, Aarzoo may interrupt your breakfast by offering you to try special crepes or French toast. You can refuse, she won’t be hurt. I did a few times.
The chefs, such Mothi, Hari, and Edwin, do go around the table to make sure the customers are satisfied with their choices. Make sure you compliment them or request a different dish. They’ll be happy to make sure you are satisfied. In addition, the chefs could prepare special dishes upon your request. In my case, I enjoy couscous with buttermilk, so Chefs Moth and Edwin made couscous with herbs for me several times. Chef Edwin also prepared couscous with nuts as a breakfast item too. Chef Hari will also offer his skills in creating any fish dish that you request from the fresh fish selection they have on special nights.
When it comes for food at Vasco’s, do not be shy and request non-spicy items and ask questions about different Indian dosas, which they can make in many different ways, including by adding potatoes inside. Be sure to indicate the level of spiciness you can handle to avoid potential food entry and exit issues. You can also try idli. However, I respectfully ask you to stay away from puri (they are full of oil. Not healthy). For deserts, I usually have some of the pastries they have prepared (at least 10 to twelves varieties) along with a cappuccino. In addition, a pastry chef is always available to prepare any specific crepe with your choice of nuts, jelly or Nutella spread. (see the attached pictures)
In short, do not order pizza or hamburgers with French fries, you will have many opportunities to eat them after you leave India. While in India, try the different foods whether at the Hilton or any other suggested places that the Hotel staff recommends.
The ladies dressed in beautiful sarees, Eipsita, Mamta, Sharnamrita, are welcoming and offer beautiful smiles and guests should respond with the same. Smiles break down barriers and start new relationship. They are there to help find your way in the hotel.
In the elevators, you might meet other hotel guests but also hotel staff. So do not shy at engaging them in a friendly conversation. In my case, I met Jyoti, a Hilton sales manager, as we were both heading to the lounge. When she asked for a permission to sit with me to find out about my stay, I accepted and gave her my feedback as I enjoyed a glass of wine. Given my interest in India, we also talked about her native place and their customs. We also discussed book reading, Nepalese alphabet, and Indian and North African customs.
In the elevator, I also met Manju, another staff member, that was quite a different story. We were several people in the elevator. When it stopped on the third floor, other customers left, except Manu and I. The door closed, and only Manju, who I had not met before, and I were in. She was looking at her phone, and I debated to break the ominous elevator silence. Suddenly, I shouted, “boo” at her, she jumped and ran out as the door had just opened on the first floor. (I will remember the Manju Boo story forever.)
The room service is excellent, and laundry is returned at the end of the day if the Landry bag is filled with your clothes in the morning. You do not need to leave the bag outside. You just fill the laundry form and leave the bag inside. The shirt and pants will be hung in the closet and the remaining items will be returned in a basket.
Each room has a security box for your valuable (passports etc..). Although the hotel declines responsibility of items left on the desk, I have not lost any item I left in the room. In fact, many times, I left many bills laying on the desk and none was stolen. (In fact, during my 2016 visit the laundry staff returned a $5 bill in an envelope. I must had left in a pocket of my jeans that I sent to be cleaned – An honest staff indeed). Your paper work and items on the desk will be neatly arranged, and therefore do not panic if you don’t see them where you left them. The house keepers may leave animals (not real ones) made with towels on your bed. (see pictures). These decorative items bring peace and life-like forms to the hotel room. (Kudos to Executive Housekeeper Umapathy and his team: Siva Jumar, Sri Raji, Vel Murugan, Siva Sankar who decorated my room with several gods and other animals). I even was treated to a demonstration of the making of a crocodile.
If you get access to the lounge on the fourth floor, use it to relax after a long of work. The staff, Sibin and others, will offer beer and wine and a variety of other drinks, cocktails that you can enjoy. You will have to give your room number to the staff. A few appetizers and nuts are made available. It is open from 6:30 PM till 8:30 AM when drinks can be requested. The last call might be extended by the staff (hint hint).
There is small but adequate training room for biking, running or bicycling equipment as well as a few weight lifting machines. From there, Chennai becomes a canvas of colored rooftops and a variety of buildings for miles. There are plenty of bottled water, energy bars, apples, and towels. Make sure you wipe the equipment with the wet paper towels after you exercise.
One floor up, you get to enjoy a rooftop view of Chennai. There a plenty of places to relax. There you can also grab a towel, shower, and get into the swimming pool. I did swim and relax there one week-end.
On Fridays and Saturday, the Q bar (roof top) becomes a gathering place for the locals who come to dance and have fun. You may meet Anand who is in charge of the place. He surprised when he approached and indicated that remembered me from my stay in 2016. It was nice of him to offer chips and nuts as I was sipping my beer.
You will probably not drive during your visit, but, if you do, they have a large parking lot on the left side of the hotel.
Still I believe that every review should include a few areas that the hotel management needs to improve:
- When many families with children are dining in the VASCO’s, children should not be allowed to roam and run around other tables. It is very unsafe for them and other customers because guests are carrying hot food. Parents should instruct their children to sit at the table and talk to their friends and their family members.
- I saw a family of four are having breakfast, lunch or dinner. The father and mother are seating across each other and using their smart phone. (I witnessed this). This is unacceptable behavior and Chef Mothi or Sandeep should intervene, confiscate the phones during the meal, and instruct the parents to talk to their children. Their phones would be returned upon the hotel. (just kidding).
- Make sure the temperature of the heated meals is not turned off. One time, I noticed the Chinese noodles being off for quite a while.
- Ask the Vasco’s staff to look out for customers waiving their hands from faraway tables and not getting the attention of a staff member for more than five minutes.
- Create a floor plan of the Vasco’s food areas that indicate where different items can be found: (Soups, sushi, salad, bread, juice, desert, etc…) Hilton guests coming for buffet for the first time should be handed the floor plan to help them avoid going around like ants looking for their preferred food and running into each other. As a result, this will reduce unnecessary traffic.
- The business center, which comprises two PCs, needs to be updated. The Internet explorer needs is slow. I also had a problem download a PDF file and opening it for printing purposes. A front desk attendant – probably Faruk – came to help and he also could not scan and download the file. So, he helped me print it by forwarding it to his email. He accessed it on the front desk PC and printed it on their printer. Thanks – I needed the printout to teach a class from the hotel room.
