Since I am unable to write this on their sent link/website, because of some technical glitches or it won’t let me choose a rating other than 5 star?
I am personally sending this review to Goair Holiday and Tripfactory.
Rating: 2.5 stars
Will I suggest Tripfactory/GoairHolidays: I am Not sure. Yes or No is not an answer for me which is the only option provided by you.
Review : Kashmir Package 7D6N Solo Trip
Hotels : Out of 4 hotels, 2 were below average. Trip Factory sold it by saying these are 3 star properties, but trust me thecleanliness is not even 1 star. I literally had to take photos to prove it.
Ihad to send back water glasses to be properly cleaned. Bathroom fittings were either broken or stained. There was hair on the floors and bed. One hotel had so much dust piled up on wooden panels and tables that I literally walked out sneezing. There was no concept of sanitization, if they claim they did trust me I can prove them wrong. Centralized heating dint work in 2 hotels and alternate heater was provided. But hotels were sold to me on the basis of Centralized heating and superb facilities. Kindly also ask the customer where would they like to stay, closer to shopping/town/secluded. This will be really helpful because I couldn’t go out in Pahalgam since I was 13 kms away from main town.
Food was average. Why ? Because I interacted with many other tourists from Bengaluru who were charged lesser than me by their agents but the choice of hotels were way better with amazing buffet.
Royal Park at Gulmarg and Mughal Sheraton house boat were 2 places which were kind of good. Infact the boat house was amazingly clean. I wish all the hotels maintain this kind of standard.
Hotel Staff: At all the hotels I stayed staff were trying to do their best by apologising for their blunders and making sure they provided what I asked for. Just that 2 hotels really need to work on their cleaning skills. Food options in buffet can be way better.
Tourist guide: Guides are not needed but the driver pushes them to you by either coaxing you or by misguiding you. These guys are a rip off.You need to be extra careful. This can be avoided if Trip Factory takes care in fixing the price by looking at the Government fixed price board which is displayed at various points. Columbia travels which was handling my tour on behalf of Trip Factory seems to ignore these points to give business to kashmiri people who live on this income.
Driver: He was calm, spoke whenever needed. He was on time and kept the car extremely clean and tidy. But can misguide you on certain vital points about sightseeing to give business to his fellow people. I guess this is not needed because as a customer I feel coaxed and then later cheated. But I stood firm once I realised what I was being pushed into.
Flights : Goair really needs to rethink if they want someone to buy their holiday packages. Reason being, they cancelled my flight and they rebooked by giving me 2 stopovers which literally was HELL. I spent more than 15 hrs on travel including waking up at 5am and not able to enjoy my stay at the House boat to its maximum. But I also feel TF should avoid booking early morning flights as you are left with very less time to enjoy your stay at the hotels especially House Boat. (BTW Goair has a bad reputation of cancelling their own flights and Holiday packages getting affected, it’s everywhere online)
Mr.Sonu, who was my travel representative was very patient, calm and extremely composed at all times. He answered all my queries and concerns with same tone and volume all the time. Even if you were upset or angry his way of talking calms you down after a point. So that’s a plus for him. Wherever he works irrespective, this trait will really be helpful. Keep it up.
Communication Issue: Another issue was Trip Factory had not communicated all the information that they had conveyed or agreed upon with me to the Local agency Columbia Travels. Because of this I had to call back and forth clarifying between these two agencies.
On the whole, it wasn’t a great tour, but won’t say it was really bad. I guess TF needs to be more careful with choice of hotels and take extra care with cleanliness and facilities promised for especially during COVID. And kindly do not sell sightseeing places that aren’t worth visiting because of seasonal changes. Gardens are a NoNo because in peak winter these places are completely dead. Instead you guys need to come up with alternate options. Put some extra thought and effort and find some really interesting places, not go by same routine package that every TDH sell.
(I do have photos of these hotels taken to prove their standards. I have contacts of other travel agencies who have provided better service and lesser rate to other tourists)
Plus points: An average Tour experience for me personally, because of hotels and lack of proper communication between TP and local agency. But you can still give them a chance. Their representatives are available 24/7 and try to sort out the issues asap. Mr Sonu does try to respond and resolve your concerns. But I feel those concerns can be avoided with proper check list from TP.
Sweekruth BP