Hotels in Udaipur are currently offering unheard of discounts. While summers, the lean season in Rajasthan, have always been a good time to snap up travel bargains, this year there is a more ominous reason.
The picturesque lakes that earned the city the epithet of Venice of the East are disappearing due to poor rains—and many tourists are hearing of this development after landing in the city. Their cost-benefit analysis had traded pleasant weather for discounts, but did not factor in the absence of the raison d’etre for their visit.
Weather is only one of the factors that can play spoilsport when it comes to off-season travel. After all, there must be a reason why peak season travel commands a premium. Here are some questions you should ask your travel agent or hotel before being tempted by the massive discounts.
Is the hotel undergoing repairs or renovation?
Jackhammers, debris and scaffolding do not make for a comfortable holiday. Hotels, however, tend to postpone their maintenance and expansion projects to the lean season. After all, they can’t afford to inconvenience the peak season guests, who shell out the most moolah. Even if there are no repairs, the hotel might limit the hotel staff to bare minimum to cut costs, which means less pampering for you.
According to Deepa Gohain, a Delhi-based travel consultant, “A travel facilitator may not be able to provide accurate information on such matters as hotels are rarely forthcoming about it. The only way to avoid unpleasant surprises is to call the hotel on upkeep closer to the check-in date.” Be sure to speak to a senior manager and get his/her name so that you have some leverage for getting freebies or discounts in case you are not getting your money’s worth. This is another reason why you should read a hotel’s cancellation policy carefully before booking.
Has the hotel management changed hands recently?
The lean season is also a time to hire and fire, giving the new hands ample time to get into the groove before the hordes arrive. Understanding that this means less than perfect guest care—be it trial menus at the in-house restaurants or limited spa hours—many such in-transition hotels offer steeper discounts. This should be a red flag for you to call the hotel directly.
Will I get the flavour of the place?
Try visiting Ladakh in winter or the Andamans now. Given the weather, you are going to find few local eateries that will cater to guests. So you could be stuck eating every meal at your hotel instead of exploring the local cuisine. You could face a bigger problem while commuting. A taxi often proves elusive during off season.
The ones that are around invariably try to take you for a ride. Says a Yatra executive: “It is safer to check beforehand if the hotel can arrange transportation, if required.” However, negotiate a rate before you arrive as hotel taxis can be up to three times more expensive.
