Broadway Grand Shimla: Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Broadway Grand Shimla: Where Luxury (Almost) Meets Perfection – A Review from a Slightly Scruffy Traveler
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I'm about to spill the tea on the Broadway Grand Shimla. "Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!" they declare. And, you know what? They’re not entirely wrong. But let's be real, no place is perfect, and I – with my slightly-less-than-perfect travel style – am just the person to unearth those little cracks in the gilded facade. This ain’t just a review; it’s a confessional.
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- Meta Description: Unfiltered review of Broadway Grand Shimla, Shimla: Luxury, accessibility, spa, dining & more! Honest thoughts, quirks, and personal experiences. Find out if it lives up to the hype.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag (and a Little Bit Frustrating)
So, the important stuff first: Accessibility. Broadway Grand says they offer it. And, in some ways, they do. Wheelchair accessible rooms are available and the elevator is a godsend in a place like Shimla with its hilly terrain. The front desk [24-hour] is helpful too. But… and there’s always a but… Things weren't perfectly smooth. I noticed narrow pathways, not always the most intuitive layouts and sometimes, the "accessible" features felt a bit… tacked on. It felt like they were trying to be inclusive, and I applaud the effort, but there's room for improvement. They could really benefit from a more comprehensive audit.
On the plus side, the staff, bless their hearts, are incredibly willing to help. They do try. Just be prepared to advocate for yourself a little bit.
Restaurants, Lounges, and the Pursuit of a Decent Meal (and a Cocktail):
Alright, let's talk grub. They've got a spread here, folks. Let's break it down:
- Restaurants: Multiple! Restaurants with A la carte in restaurant, Buffet in restaurant, and different cuisine including Asian, International, and Vegetarian.
- Bars: Yes, Bar, Poolside bar. I'm a huge fan of a good poolside drink, so naturally I spent a considerable amount of time testing that one.
- Breakfast: Breakfast [buffet] and Breakfast service. They even offer Breakfast in room! I took the Breakfast takeaway service after a late hike in the nearby area.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: The coffee was… passable. Let's leave it at that.
- Happy hour: Yes, which is always a bonus!
- Room service [24-hour]: Now THAT'S what I'm talking about. Perfect for those late-night cravings (or, let's be honest, those "I-don't-want-to-leave-my-room" kinda nights).
- Snack bar: Essential.
- Desserts in restaurant: My weakness. The desserts are legit.
- Additional points of Note: There is the option to avail of alternative meal arrangement which is a plus point.
My Most Memorable Meal (and the Near-Disaster):
Now, the food quality varied. The breakfast buffet was… well, it was a buffet. The eggs weren’t exactly gourmet, but hey, there was plenty of it! One evening, I ordered an international cuisine dish at the main restaurant. It was a beautifully plated curry, but oh god, was the spice level underestimated. I swear, my face turned the same shade as the vibrant red chilies adorning the dish. I was gulping water like a camel in the desert, sweating, and frantically searching for a salad in restaurant (thankfully, they had one!). Lesson learned: always double-check the spice level! The staff, bless their souls, seemed to find my fiery experience more amusing than distressing.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Tale of Two (or Three) Flavors
They have bottle of water to compensate for any unpleasantries, Coffee shop which is good, and Hot water linen and laundry washing which you require since you were in the Bar. But on the other hand, I found certain points where you are left wanting; the Soup in restaurant.
Cleanliness and Safety – Because Let's Be Real, That's Kinda Important:
Okay, this is where Broadway Grand shines. In a world grappling with… well, everything, I was incredibly impressed with their hygiene game. Hand sanitizer everywhere. Daily disinfection in common areas. Staff are clearly trained, with staff trained in safety protocol. They offer Room sanitization opt-out available so great! Anti-viral cleaning products, Professional-grade sanitizing services, even Sterilizing equipment. They are clearly taking this seriously. The Safe dining setup with Sanitized kitchen and tableware items. I felt genuinely safe, which, in a post-apocalyptic world. They also have First aid kit and Doctor/nurse on call, which, I didn’t need, thank god, but it’s reassuring! CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property. The Fire extinguisher is present and there are Smoke alarms and Smoke detector to assist in case there is a fire.
Things to Do (and Ways to Pretend You're Relaxing):
Alright, the good stuff! This is where Broadway Grand really leans into the "luxury" vibe.
- Spa/sauna are a must. I made it my mission to try everything.
- Spa: Yes, there are massage options.
- Pool with view: Seriously, the view from the pool is… breathtaking. Instagram gold.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: The pool is awesome. I spend a lot of time there.
- Fitness center: I didn’t use the Gym/fitness.
- Sauna: Yes!
- Steamroom: Yes!
My Spa Experience: An Ode to Heavenly Bliss (Almost)
Oh, the spa. This is where the "unbelievable" part of the review truly came to life. I indulged in a Body scrub and a Body wrap. Honestly, I felt like a brand new human being afterward. The massage was heavenly, the ambiance was serene, and I almost, almost, fell asleep right there on the table. It was one of those moments where you completely forget about your worries and just… be. But! (There's always a but, right?) They could definitely up their game when it comes to the small details. The lighting was a bit harsh in places. The music was a little too… new-age-y. And the complimentary tea they offered afterward was lukewarm. But hey, I'm nitpicking. The core experience was phenomenal.
Services, Conveniences, and the Perks (Good and… Okay):
- Services and conveniences: All the usual suspects are present: Air conditioning in public area, Concierge, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes.
- Internet: The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! part is true and it works. There's also Internet access – wireless and Internet – LAN.
- Business facilities: They have all the usual suspects like Business facilities, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings.
- Getting Around: Airport transfer.
- On the other hand, they lack a bit of flexibility such as the Ironing service being a pay option, the Baby sitting service and Pets allowed being unavailable.
- The Car park [free of charge] is a blessing. Also, they have Car park [on-site].
The Rooms – A Haven of Comfort (with Minor Quirks)
Alright, let’s talk about the sanctuaries themselves. The Non-smoking rooms are the norm.
- Available in all rooms; Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Coffee/tea maker etc.
- Additional Features: Extra long bed, Free bottled water, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Linens, Mini bar are available.
- Technology: Satellite/cable channels, Wake-up service, and the all-important Wi-Fi [free].
The Great Blackout Curtain Debate:
The Blackout curtains deserve a separate mention. They work.
Escape to Paradise: Haridimos Apartments, Crete's Hidden Gem
Alright, buckle up, buttercups! This isn't your grandma's meticulously planned itinerary. This is my Shimla adventure, brought to you in all its glory… and probable chaos. We're talking Broadway Grand, The HM Hotels & Resorts, Shimla – a place I'd seen in brochures, all pristine and perfect, and now? Well, now it’s about to meet me.
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Adjustment (aka "Help, I Can't Breathe!")
- Morning (ish): Landed in Chandigarh. The airport was a blur of frantic chai-wallahs and people who genuinely seemed to enjoy carrying six enormous suitcases. Am I that unprepared? Probably. (Note to self: Pack lighter next time… ha! Yeah, right). The drive to Shimla was… well, it was scenic. Mountains, valleys, goats looking judgy. Oh, and the traffic. I’ve experienced longer waits for a decent latte.
- Afternoon: Arrived at the Broadway Grand. Whoa. The lobby is this massive, echoing space. Marble, chandeliers… I felt a little like a lost kitten. Check-in was a surprisingly smooth process. "Welcome, Madam!" they chirped. I’m sensing a theme here. Everyone is ridiculously polite. Now, that's what I call hospitality. My room? View of the valley. Glorious. But the altitude… Dear God, the altitude. Felt like I’d run a marathon, even just unpacking.
- Late Afternoon/Early Evening: The hotel restaurant. "The Baluchi" I Think. (Or something along those lines. I always forget names). I figured I'd start with something safe. Butter chicken. Except the spice level was apparently "Inferno Mode". My mouth felt like it was on fire. Tears streamed down my face. A very, very attractive waiter brought me a yoghurt smoothie. Bless him. I think I love him. The view helped, and I had two more of those smoothies. They were the only things standing between me and a very public meltdown.
Day 2: Ridge Rambles & Mall Road Mayhem
- Morning: Woke up feeling less like a pile of laundry and more like… well, a slightly less tired pile of laundry. Breakfast was a buffet. And a beautiful buffet, at that. They had everything: idli, dosa, paratha, eggs, fruit you’d never even heard of. It was sensory overload in the best possible way. I did find myself staring at the piles of fresh pastries. Those are dangerous, I thought, very, very dangerous.
- Mid-Morning: Took a walk along The Ridge. (I got the memo on this one, finally). The views were breathtaking, the air crisp (even with me coughing a bit from the altitude), and the people-watching gold. Saw a couple getting engaged amidst a flurry of rose petals. I almost burst into tears again. (Maybe it was the altitude). I also saw a stray dog with a surprisingly human-like expression. We locked eyes for a good twenty seconds. I think we both understood the shared longing for a good nap.
- Afternoon: Mall Road Madhouse! Okay, maybe I should have prepared myself. This place is a cacophony of shops, hawkers, and tourists, all vying for your attention. I got shoved, bargained for a dubious pashmina (worth it!), and almost lost my wallet in the crowd. The whole thing was utterly overwhelming, but strangely exhilarating. I tried some street food. Momos (delish!), and some little pastries. The food stand guy’s eyes lit up when he saw me chewing. I think he thought I was going to pass out from the deliciousness. And maybe I was close.
- Evening: Back at the hotel. Exhausted. But in a good way. Had another curry (mild this time, thank goodness! I'm learning!) and collapsed into bed, ready to face another day of adventure… and the inevitable altitude-induced headaches.
Day 3: Temple Time & The Jakhoo Fiasco
- Morning: A visit to the Jakhoo Temple. Well, I tried. The hike up the hill (again, altitude!) was… let’s call it “challenging”. Monkeys are everywhere! Aggressive little buggers, too. They’re like tiny, furry ninjas, waiting to steal your lunch, your sunglasses, and possibly your soul. Avoid eye contact. Stick to the trail. And never bring food in plain sight.
- Late Morning: Got to the temple. Gorgeous views again. I took some pictures, then had an existential crisis. Why do places of worship always make one feel so exposed? Especially with all those monkeys running around. It's a good thing the temple was at the top of the hill or I would have turned around.
- Afternoon: Back at Broadway Grand. The hotel offered a spa. I booked a massage. Pure, unadulterated bliss. The woman who did it was a miracle worker. She kneaded all the tension out of my aching shoulders and, for an hour, I forgot all about the altitude, the monkeys, and the fact that I still hadn't found the "perfect" souvenir.
- Evening: Dinner. The restaurant, once again. I ordered something simple. Plain rice and vegetables. Safe. Boring. But after the Jakhoo ordeal, it was exactly what I needed. The sunset over the valley was spectacular. Made me want to cry again. (I'm sensing a pattern here).
Day 4: Farewell Shimla & The "I'll Be Back" Vow (maybe)
- Morning: Final breakfast. Staring lovingly at the pastries once more. This time, I resisted. (Mostly). Did a final walk around the hotel and soaked in the views one last time. The staff was so sweet. I’m going to miss them.
- Mid-Morning: Check-out. The usual smiles and polite farewells. The driver picked me up. The journey to the airport felt incredibly long.
- Afternoon: Said goodbye to Shimla.
- Evening: Arrived at the place, where it all started. I am exhausted, a little burned, my mouth is still craving for that butter chicken, and my memory card is full of photos, and memories of the beautiful chaos that is Shimla. Would I come back? Absolutely. Once I've recovered from this trip. Seriously, though, that altitude… and the monkeys… and the food… I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation. But it was worth it. Really.
This trip was a mess. It was glorious. And it was, undeniably, me.
Unbelievable Ocean Views! 1BR Paradise in Pico de Loro (M-A216)
Broadway Grand Shimla: Before You Go (and After You've Regretted Leaving!) - A Very Honest FAQ
So, like, is Broadway Grand Shimla actually *that* luxurious? Everyone’s calling it “unbelievable,” which, let’s be honest, is just marketing fluff.
What's the *actual* deal with the views? All the photos are probably Photoshopped, right? Tell me the truth!
Let's talk about the food. Is it the usual bland hotel fare, or is there something actually *good* there? I'm a foodie, okay? I need details.
The Spa! Tell me everything. Is it worth the money?
What's the vibe like? Is it all stuffy and formal, or can I, you know, relax? I'm not exactly the black-tie type.
Okay, but the price though? Be honest. Is it *insanely* expensive?
Any hidden fees I should be aware of? The dreaded "resort fee" or whatever?
Is it good for families? Or is it more of a romantic getaway kind of place?
Anything I should absolutely NOT do at Broadway Grand Shimla? Like, a big faux pas?
