Hotel Raj Darbar

My family and I stayed in a replacement room for the next 12 days after the hotel arranged and cleaned it the morning after our first night. We'd arrived late and were tired from a long flight, so there wasn't much that could be done about the issues with our first family room then. This was my second stay at Raj Darbar Hotel, and I come to Amritsar each year for prayers and yatra. The hotel is under five minutes on foot from the Langar hall entrance, which makes repeated trips to Darbaar Sahib convenient, even during amrit vella. When we had a water problem at 1 am, the staff on duty fixed it within 15 minutes after I told them. They're friendly and helpful. It's not a five star hotel and there is no lift, but we're happy taking the stairs, and it suits our needs for rest and easy travel.

The location stood out most, with the Golden Temple within walking distance. I thought the stay was generally okay, but we were given a wet towel that seemed unclean. Some staff weren't responsible, and we waited hours for a room key. The hotel was left unattended and unresponsive, though we didn't make an issue of it.

The basic facilities were lacking: the bathroom had no proper lock or bolt, the cupboard had neither handle nor lock, and the staff behaved unprofessionally. During our stay, money was stolen and we had to call the police to help resolve it. Pawan, the owner, was dismissive and unapologetic instead of showing concern or trying to help. We came to Amritsar for a spiritual trip hoping for peace and comfort, but the experience was the opposite and deeply disappointing. I'd urge future guests to be cautious before booking.

The rooms were in terrible shape, with peeling paint, mosquitoes, and washrooms that smelled like rats. The building seemed old and poorly maintained, and the room photos in this review show the reception and bedroom. When we saw the condition, we refused to stay, but the hotel kept our Rs 1000 token payment and made us stay anyway. They also put our elderly companions on the second floor, with no lift. I felt we were being defrauded. The hotel looks shady and dingy, and I think it should be shut down. The good ratings seem fake. You may regret booking here.