The Den Bangalore

The Den Bangalore, a Michelin Key Selected property, generally garners positive feedback for its blend of luxury, modern design, and attentive service, particularly appealing to both business and leisure travelers in the city's IT hub.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The Den Bangalore enjoys a largely positive overall sentiment, frequently rated as "very good" to "excellent" by guests. Aggregated ratings often hover around 4.3 out of 5 on platforms like Goibibo and an impressive 8.8 out of 10 on HRS. Reviews highlight "eager staff," a "nice place," "beautiful location," "clean rooms," and a "pleasant stay" as recurring positives. Approximately 63% of guests on Goibibo rated their stay as excellent, with another 19% rating it good.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently praise The Den Bangalore for its exceptional service, sophisticated design, and comprehensive amenities. The hotel's unique concept of "Eat. Work. Sleep. Play" is reflected in its offerings. Key highlights include a full-service spa, The Sanctuary Spa, offering various treatments, a refreshing outdoor and children's pool, and a well-equipped 24-hour health club. Unique amenities like "The Cave," a 15-seater cinema hall, and a cold-pressed juice bar add to its distinctiveness. The hotel is also noted for being pet-friendly.

3. Room Quality

The Den Bangalore offers 226 well-appointed rooms and suites, designed with contemporary aesthetics and modern decor. Guests describe rooms as clean, cozy, spacious, and in perfect condition, often boasting spectacular city views, especially from higher floors. Standard rooms measure 33 square meters, while Premium rooms are 37 square meters and feature a comfortable King Bed. All rooms come equipped with premium bedding, pillow menus, 24-hour room service, laptop-friendly workspaces, high-speed internet access, and essential amenities like coffee machines and minibars. Suites may also offer hypoallergenic options. However, some older reviews have noted rooms as being "tiny" or "congested," and some Indian guests expressed disappointment over the absence of a washroom jet.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel features multiple dining venues, including two main restaurants: The Creek and Layla.

• The Creek: This all-day dining restaurant is known for its casual yet high-energy atmosphere, serving a wide array of authentic Indian and world cuisines. The buffet spread, particularly for breakfast, receives praise for its variety, including Indian, continental, Chinese, Italian, and live counters for shawarmas, pastas, and grills. While many find the food delicious, some guests have described it as "just okish," "bland," or "tasteless," with limited continental breakfast options.
• Layla: Situated on the 21st floor, Layla is a fine-dining rooftop restaurant celebrated for its romantic ambiance and stunning city views, making it ideal for special occasions. Food options here might be limited, with some guests finding the taste "not that great" or "bland," but the extensive drink menu is appreciated.
• Other options: The hotel also boasts "The Nest," a chic lounge bar with gaming stations, and "The Cold Press," offering healthy juices, smoothies, and light bites.

5. Service & Staff

The staff at The Den Bangalore are frequently lauded for their "eagerness," "friendliness," "courtesy," and "professionalism." Guests appreciate the smooth check-in/check-out process and the staff's willingness to assist and go "the extra mile." However, some guests have reported instances of staff being "over courteous," at times feeling intrusive. Complaints also include occasional unhelpfulness, unprofessionalism, slow room service, and delays in providing requested services. A notable criticism revolves around staff repeatedly insisting on online reviews, even to the extent of filling them out on guests' phones, which caused discomfort and privacy concerns for some.

6. Location & Accessibility

Located in the upscale Whitefield area, within Bangalore's prominent IT hub, The Den Bangalore is particularly convenient for business travelers due to its proximity to major IT parks such as International Tech Park, Park Square Mall, and Forum Shantiniketan. The hotel offers beautiful views, especially from higher floors. It is situated approximately 15 km from the city center and about 24 km from Kempegowda International Airport, with an estimated 70-minute drive time. Public transport options, including Pattandur Agrahara Station, are within walking distance. Some guests have noted noise from a nearby metro line and felt the area immediately outside the hotel could feel "unsafe" due to street dogs.

7. Value & Pricing

As a 5-star luxury property, The Den Bangalore's pricing reflects its upscale offerings. Prices for a one-night stay for two adults can start from around $203.39, although these are subject to change based on dates and availability. While some guests consider it "a little pricy" or "high on the budget," many feel it offers good "value for money" for the luxury experience provided. However, one guest felt that the rooms were "congested" and not worth spending "50K" for three nights.

8. Common Complaints

Several recurring issues and criticisms have been noted by guests:

• Maintenance: Persistent "sewage smell" in corridors and bathrooms, leading to an unpleasant experience. Other issues included bathtubs with hair upon check-in, unreplenished toiletries, erratic air conditioning, and occasional lack of hot water.
• Service: Slow room service and, in some cases, unhelpful or unprofessional staff. The most significant complaint involves staff's aggressive insistence on guests leaving online reviews, including physically taking and filling out reviews on guests' phones, which raised privacy and comfort concerns.
• Room Specifics: Some guests found rooms to be smaller than expected or "congested." The absence of a washroom jet has also been mentioned.
• Food Quality: While generally good, some find the food, especially continental breakfast options, to be "bland" or "tasteless."
• External Factors: Noise from the nearby metro line and a perception of unsafety due to street dogs outside the hotel were cited. Ongoing construction affecting garden access and frequent electricity cuts were also mentioned.
• Water Quality: One guest reported body rashes from shower water and others mentioned a bad smell, indicating potential issues with water purity.

Sources

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