THE LEELA KEMPINSKI MUMBAI

It's been several times now that I have visited the Leela Kempinski in Mumbai. It is within short distance from the International Airport, which is good, as you are bound to arrive there early in the morning. This is the first drawback. You are charged the complete night, even when you arrive around 4 o'clock in the morning. If you are planning a trip to South Mumbai... distance is roughly, around 25 kms and could be over 2 hours to get there, always depending on traffic... and it is chaotic in the city.

You can arrange for a pick up from the airport, and the driver will actually collect you at the exit from the terminal, and will give you a bottle of water to drink for.

Security is an issue, as every car is checked at the entrance, even the own hotel cars, and you need to go through the metal detector arch and your belongings through the scanner.
When you arrive in the hotel, you can smell a strong scent of jasmine or incense. The lifts work well and tend to be quite fast.

The rooms are well equipped, with extra towels, (huge ones, which I really appreciate) and the shower is closed in a big chamber with a bath too. Some biscuits and fruit (normally apples) are offered, together with a pair or free drinking water bottles. Flat TV is available, with a wide range of channels. HBO, Bollywood Music Channels, as well as some international, such as TVE, are available free of charge. You have also a Spa and a nice open air swimming pool.

Internet, unfortunately, is not free. It is, actually, rather expensive, as when you switch on the wifi, you can reach nearby InterContinental’s, which is nearly 100 rupees cheaper.

The beds are big and comfortable. Linnen is changed every day.

Buffet breakfast is vast. Many things to choose from, such as omelets, fruit (Figs and strawberry were available as fruit of the month), Chinese, Indian food, cheese, cakes, juices... And crêpes...

It is a hotel that you don't mind returning time and time again... It is, however, oriented more for business people, than families.

THE LEELA KEMPINSKI MUMBAI
Sahar Mumbai - 400 059
India

Tel: +91 22 6691 1234
Fax: +91 22 6691 1212

E-mail: reservations.mumbai@theleela.com

RAMADA ENCORE DONCASTER

When you find a relatively new hotel, you are likely to get a better experience than in an old one. Well, that is, of course, depending on each other’s experience.

Getting there is a Tom-Tom experience. I had my map, but the roads were closed due to works, so... in the end, I got there. It is nowhere near the city centre. It is, in fact, an airport hotel. Just over the road, you can find Robin Hood Airport.

The Ramada Encore is a new hotel. Hence, no old furniture, smelly rooms... Well, to a point. When checking in, I was helped by a young lady who started with a nice smile that kept throughout the time I was there... and I was there for some time. It smelled like a "Fish & Chips" shop. I guess some of the guests had asked for it and the smoke and smell had gone out of the kitchen to invade the Reception air. It is true that the living/eating room was there next to the Reception, so maybe the Fish & Chips were already in the restaurant.

Lighting in the reception and the restaurant was really poor. A massive use of LEDs lamps were, of course, saving lots of electricity, but the lighting was extremely poor. Nice luminaires though.

I got a room on the first floor, but asked for a big bed, so in the end, I got transferred to the second floor. As the hotel is sooooo far away from the centre, and the roads were closed, the young lady sketched a map, that was not that precise in terms of drawing evaluation, but... it was crystal clear, so, without any problem, got to my destination. When returning back to the hotel, I thanked the young lady for her help, and she still remembered me.

The hotel was... basic. Nothing exciting. Negative point. Not free Internet. The heating system got me some time trying to figure it out... but eventually, I wan. The room was big enough, bed comfortable and overall clean.

Breakfast was... basic too, with some little surprises, like a loaf of fruits of the forest bread to cut and toast. Muffins were good too, but croissants just put you back. They didn't look fresh at all. Scrambled eggs were... not that exciting either. Coffee was out of a coffee dispenser, so hardly any good... but in the end, a little bit here, a little bit there, had something to eat first thing in the morning. It could have been better.

The hotel offered free of charge car-park; you needed a token to get out of the hotel.

Staff was extremely helpful.

RAMADA ENCORE DONCASTER Opposite Robin Hood Airport
First Avenue
Auckley
Doncaster
DN9 3GP,
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1302 718 520
Fax:+44 1302 772 045

CLARION HOTEL PLAZA IN ODENSE

When visiting Odense, in Denmark, the travel agencies tend to send you to two hotels: The Windsor and this one. I am sure there are more, but for some reason, I have only tried two. And from these, I prefer, without any doubt, the Clarion Hotel.

Its location is very good. Near the Station, opposite a park, city centre within walking distance... Nothing to complain about. It can even offer you a free car space... if you are early, of course.

The hotel is rather old fashioned. Decor and even the wooden lift take you back to early 20th century.

Welcome to the hotel was really nice. A nice smile in the lady behind the counter and offered all the information requested, without any hesitation. I was even invited to a free coffee (apparently, free of charge throughout the night) and a free cake, which, of course, I didn't miss.

The room... Well, I have to say that I have been in better rooms... Spacious... but nothing special. Like in other Scandinavian experiences, lighting in the room is rather poor and sad looking. The duvets are folded on the bed... I have to say that the bed was comfortable. The radiators were behind the curtains, so... the temperature inside the room was a bit cold.

Bathroom rather basic... but fine for me. The shower "swallowed" the water properly.

Apart from the free coffee and free cake, free car park ... the hotel offered free wireless internet... These days, actions like this are really a big plus, that I appreciate.

TV channels are local, and a couple of international ones. The good thing is that Danish TV tend to offer many programs with subtitles, so series tend to be easy to understand as they usually are American or British.

Breakfast is also good. Buffet, although they had run out of orange juice. Danish bread and salami were good, also some cakes they offered and coffee was good too. I love the machine they have to slice the cheese...

It is a no frills room, but definitely, a good choice of basic hotel.


CLARION COLLECTION HOTEL PLAZA ODENSE

Østre Stationsvej 24
5000 Odense C
Denmark

Telephone: (+45) 6611 7745
fax: (+45) 6614 4145
Email: cc.plaza@choice.dk