After living in Mumbai for the past couple of years I was used to the "Mall" phenomenon. Its like your life is divided into four zones - Home, Office, Restaurants & MALL. And there are so many malls in Mumbai, sprouting like mushrooms everywhere. Of course there are the average and the premium ones and the crowd gets bifurcated accordingly. But there’s something for everybody within reach.
Well, after shifting to Delhi I was a bit disappointed to see the modest number of malls . I stay in GK-I so you can understand its not possible to go to Gurgaon just for the heck of it. Gradually I got to know about Select City Walk mall.
My first visit to the mall was really good. The underground parking has got good enough space, but the parking fee is a bit high during weekends. Its well managed nevertheless.
I got more than impressed on the sight of the sprawling magnificence. The architecture is neatly done indeed . On going inside I realized the interiors are even better. Ample space and amazing colour coordination makes it look even bigger . Now it was time to check out the stores . This mall houses almost all the brand names one can think of . Girls will be more than happy to see the number of cosmetics shops here –MAC, Body Shop, Estee Lauder, Colorbar, H2O, Nailbar, Clinique and the list goes on.
Apparel brands are endless . Pantaloons, Wills Lifestyle, Pramod, Van Heusen, UCB, Raymonds, Kimaya, Tommy(these are my favs) and more . For convenience they have an ATM installed on 1st floor(sorry don’t remember the name). There are many shops for kids stuff . And to keep them entertained while you shop there is a cute play-zone .Then there is Food Bazaar for grocery shopping. Home Stop for furniture . And if you get tired shopping and floor hopping then there are coffee shops on each floor . I love sipping coffee after my shopping session.
One thing that I would like to better in this mall is the security setup. Specially during heavy footfall seasons. For instance during Diwali I couldn’t believe the number of people I saw at one time . And the security check was a mere formality . This mall is one of the prominent places in the city, visited by many foreign nationals as well.The mall administration should arrange for more security personnel during that time to handle the crowd .
Well, for people who want to buy in bulk there is this Wednesday Flea Market where many brands put there products on sale. It’s a good buy. I ended up buying 10 big aromatic candles during Diwali flea market. The price was quiet reasonable.
But the real litmus test of a mall lies in the restrooms/washrooms. I am very finicky about cleanliness and I beleive that the standard of a mall can be judged on the hygiene of its washrooms . And I was delighted to see the result. The washrooms are clean, with attendants, proper illumination and water supply on each floor .
This mall is equally satisfying for food lovers with numerous restaurants and variety of cuisines .Student, Young professional, Business Executive, Family person – whatever you are, be assured to get something to suit you taste buds and your pocket as well. Spend as many happy hours as you want.
I have observed that approximately 80% of the people visiting the mall end up spending here . The rest are the onlooker or the passive customers, but the percentage is small. This in a way maintains the standard of the mall .(Just a speculation as a regular visitor)
A mall is never complete without a cinema hall. So we have PVR. Am glad they have their quick ticket counters near the mall entrance as well. Saves time when I am in hurry .
Shopping is not all that we want from a mall all the time . We would like to be entertained and amused, to be taken to a different world altogether where everything is colourful and enjoyable. Its this experience that we desire. And am pleased that Select City Walk offers us the same . It changes its looks and ambience for all seasons and occasions . Dushera, Diwali, Christmas - I have seen it change its wardrobe .And its beautiful .Be it decorating the whole place with lights for Diwali or getting foreign girls sing a carol and creating a humungous Christmas tree – This mall never fails to surprise.
At the end of the day we can shop any of these brands from any store out there but it’s the atmosphere, the ambience and the convenience which draws many of us to a mall like this.
I am thankful that I have found a mall that meets all my requirements and standards . As of now I am happy walking the Select City Walk .