Clarks is given a 5 star rating, but in no way deserves it. As our driver commented, an indian 5 star rating must be taken with a grain of salt (I think an entire teaspoon is required for Clarks). It is considered a Heritage Hotel, but here again, it does not deserve that either, although there are elements of the hotel that do qualify.

The basic problem is that the rooms have not been updated for years, perhaps decades. Maybe someone thought this would give the hotel "character", but it does not - it just means you will live very uncomfortably while you stay there.

In spite of my opening remarks, it is not all bad, however. First the good. If you want to see the picture of a first class hotel from the time of Indian independence, this is it. As someone commented, the garden is nice, although small, and has a feel of the time of the English Raj, or just after. The lobby has a low ceiling, and a dated look, but some nice shops. Unlike some other people's comments, I found the food good although clearly not outstanding, especially at dinner. The breakfast is a little basic, and the choices were a little limited, but overall, it was quite acceptable. Do take advantage of the freshly prepared eggs or omelette. Finally the service is overall quite good. The front desk is overstretched dealing with all the tour groups, but they are remarkably efficient for India. They will try to do anything they can to resolve your problems. We found the room boiling hot (in January!!), and the technical staff tried three times to improve the air flow and reduce the temperature. In the end they succeeded in making it comfortable for the nighttime, although still too hot in the daytime. I give them an A for effort (the problem is that the air system is old, old, old, and can only be set for heat everywhere or cool everywhere, and this is winter in India).

Now the bad. The beds are very old style - short, narrow, with hard uncomfortable mattresses, and my wife's had a fairly deep depression from over use. The sheets were short, cheap and old - mine at least - with nubs that were so large and widespread it felt like I was sleeping on crumbs. The furniture was old and cheap, and electrical plugs were lacking and those that were there were overloaded. Bathroom was old and worn - it was probably chic 20 or 30 years ago. The sound proofing was abysmal and you are besieged by car horns constantly blaring until 2am in the morning - bring your earplugs if you want to sleep.

So, if you are seeking a little luxury, look elsewhere. If you are not tall and can sleep anywhere, anytime, and are seeking a period piece at a good price, you might like Clarks. Personally, I will not return. I had hoped for far better

Grand hotel ,great food ,very efficient team ,
we stayed here for threee days and loved the ambience,
will recommend to every friend of mine.

Try their pool side eatry and Super Sunday Brunch,Very Nice Kebabs ,

Bipasa

Warning: do not eat food at this hotel. We found a cockroach in the breakfast buffet. The hotel had very little response, and in fact tried to still charge us for the breakfast - Seems like a common occurrence, and a good way to get Typhoid (remember your innoculations are only 70% effective) or any other food-borne disease.

Otherwise the hotel was pretty lousy - meant to be 4 stars but it seemed more like 2. The beds were damp, the bathrooms had not been renovated for decades. We ordered a yoga teacher for the next day, and when we came down the next morning we discovered that they forgot to contact her at all. Such a waste of time.

Conclusion: way overpriced, unhygienic, uncomfortable rooms, avoid staying here.

The hotel was centre of our Silver Jubilee reunion activity in December 2011. The arrangements and care taken by hotel made us relive the experience and enjoy the occasion with friends and family. We were approx 200 people. The package from them included Dance, Music and Gazhal program. The experience at the Palace Hotel at Ghat was the great topping to the ice-cream.
The service and attention was to the details and in my view every thing at Hotel went as planned. Special thanks to the team led by Mr Satyajit Gopal. It was a Value for Moey experience.