ITC Fortune Park Haridwar - Honest Review

So I have visited Haridwar 3-4 times in total over the years, and I have always stayed in different hotels which are located in the middle of the city, close to all the main attractions. I remember staying at 2 of them quite clearly:

• Godwin Haridwar (4 Star)
• Udman Haridwar (3 Star)

Both of these were decent experiences and were conveniently located for exploring the holy city.

Location and Accessibility

But this time, we decided to try something different and book a room a bit outside the city center. ITC Fortune Park Haridwar is located around 4 km outside the main city area, and about 10 km from Har ki Pauri - which is the most sacred place for taking a holy dip in the Ganges and where the famous evening Ganga Aarti happens that attracts thousands of devotees daily.

The distance factor is something you really need to consider when booking this hotel, especially if you're planning to visit multiple temples or attend the evening aarti regularly. You'll need to rely on taxis or auto-rickshaws for every trip to the main ghats.

First Impressions - Not What I Expected

Now I have to be honest - I have mixed reviews for this hotel, and let me explain why.

When it comes to the entrance, I didn't like it at all. The hotel entrance is attached to some multiplex or commercial complex, so the entrance feels quite simple and not very welcoming. You don't get that grand hotel entrance feeling that you usually expect when arriving at a property.

The reception area is also quite simple and basic. The lobby lacks the warmth and grandeur that you typically associate with ITC properties. This is definitely not what you expect from an ITC hotel, but we also have to keep in mind that Fortune Park comes last when it comes to ranking properties by ITC's sub-chain categories in terms of luxury and amenities.

For context, ITC's hierarchy goes something like: Mementos (Ultra-Luxury)>ITC Flagship Luxury Collection (luxury) > Storii (Upper Premium/Boutique) >WelcomHotel (premium) > WelcomHeritage (Premium Heritage)> Fortune Hotels (mid-scale), so expectations should be set accordingly.

The Rooms - A Pleasant Surprise

Despite the underwhelming entrance, we got some good news at check-in. We were upgraded from our original deluxe rooms to super deluxe rooms without any additional charges, which was definitely a sweet spot and improved our overall experience.

The hallway leading to our rooms was actually quite beautiful. For the super deluxe room section, they had created a golden ambience across the roof and ground, which looked elegant and gave a more premium feel compared to the entrance area.

Coming to the rooms themselves, they are actually very good - cozy, spacious, and well-maintained. The room had all the basic amenities you'd expect from a decent hotel. The bed was comfortable, the bathroom was clean and modern, and the air conditioning worked well. The room service was also prompt and courteous.

The interiors had a nice contemporary design with subtle traditional touches. There was adequate lighting, good storage space, and the overall cleanliness was maintained well. Unfortunately, I forgot to take an empty video of the room to show you properly - I'm attaching a screenshot from a video, so you can get an idea of the space and layout.

Location Experience

Since we were staying a bit outside the city, the area around the hotel was quieter and less crowded compared to the bustling city center. This can be good or bad depending on what you're looking for. If you want to be in the middle of all the action and close to street food and local markets, this location might feel isolated.

The evening was good though. We took a taxi to the Ganga ghat and had a wonderful spiritual experience. We took a holy dip in the sacred water, which felt incredibly purifying and peaceful. After that, we visited several temples in the area, each with its own unique architecture and spiritual atmosphere. We had dinner at one of the local restaurants near Har ki Pauri, trying some authentic North Indian food.

The drive back to the hotel in the evening gave us a nice view of the city lights, and the hotel's location did provide a peaceful environment for a good night's sleep away from the city noise.

Breakfast Experience

The next morning, breakfast was good - a typical ITC breakfast with decent variety and quality. They had the usual spread of Indian and continental options, fresh fruits, and different types of bread and cereals. The taste was standard for what you'd expect from an ITC property, nothing exceptional but satisfying enough. The service during breakfast was prompt and the dining area was clean and well-maintained. Overall, the breakfast helped start the day well before heading out for our spiritual activities.

Dining Options at the Hotel

The hotel has 3 different dining outlets to choose from:

• Orchid - This is their main multi-cuisine restaurant that's open from 7:30 AM till 11:00 PM. It offers an array of culinary delights and sumptuous buffets, making it ideal for both casual meals and business meetings. We had lunch at Orchid on our first day, and it was actually quite good. The variety was decent and the taste was satisfying.
• Neptune - This is the hotel's bar, open from 3:00 PM till 11:00 PM. It's designed as a contemporary and relaxed setting where you can meet friends or business associates, with a good selection of spirits, wines, and beers.
• Fortune Deli - This is a contemporary outlet that serves freshly baked goodies with irresistible aroma. They offer light snacks, cakes, pastries, chocolates, and breads. We ordered some donuts from Fortune Deli to our rooms, and they were also quite tasty - fresh and well-made.

Service and Facilities

The staff at the hotel was courteous and helpful. They were quick to respond to our requests and provided good recommendations for local sightseeing. The housekeeping was regular and maintained cleanliness standards well.

Having these 3 dining options within the hotel was actually convenient, especially given the location outside the main city. You don't have to venture out every time you want a meal or snack.

My Overall Assessment

Overall, I will rate this property 6/10, and this rating is based on several factors that I've mentioned above. The room quality and staff service were decent, but the location inconvenience and lackluster entrance/lobby experience really affected the overall stay.

If someone is visiting Haridwar primarily for spiritual reasons, relaxation, and wants to be close to Har ki Pauri for multiple visits or attending daily aartis, I honestly won't recommend this hotel. The distance factor becomes a real hassle, especially if you want to experience the early morning and evening spiritual activities that Haridwar is famous for.

I also don't quite understand which audience segment ITC Fortune Park Haridwar is actually targeting. It's not convenient for spiritual tourists, not luxurious enough for leisure travelers, and not centrally located for business travelers. It seems to fall into an awkward middle ground that doesn't serve any particular traveler type exceptionally well.

My Recommendation

If you're planning a trip to Haridwar, I'd suggest staying closer to the main city area, especially near Har ki Pauri, even if it means compromising slightly on room quality. The convenience of being close to the ghats, temples, and local markets far outweighs the slightly better room quality that you might get at Fortune Park.

However, if you're someone who prioritizes quiet surroundings over convenience and doesn't mind the extra travel time for sightseeing, then this hotel could work for you.

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