Hyatt Centric Chandigarh: A Stay Worth Trying

Journey to Chandigarh

I decided to visit Chandigarh, the hometown of a friend, to uncover the unique architectural stories of the area. Therefore, I searched for a place to stay near museums and shopping centers.

Prime Location

Hyatt Centric is situated in Sector 17, designed as a shopping and entertainment hub. The hotel replaced James Hotel in 2020 and has been completely revamped. It’s located next to a rose garden, although it's a bit of a walk to Sector 17 market, so I recommend calling a taxi instead.

There’s an underground passage leading to the rose garden, allowing you to cross the road to visit the architectural museum, the government museum, and Leisure Valley. Overall, it’s a very convenient location, just about a 45-minute drive from the airport.

Quick Check-in

Like many hotels in India, I had to go through security checks before entering the hotel and again to access the lobby. The check-in process was swift. The staff explained the benefits for global guests: room upgrades, breakfast from 6:30 to 10:30 at the lobby restaurant, and late check-out.

Accommodations

My room was quite spacious and the king-size bed was very comfortable thanks to its soft mattress. However, the hallway leading to the room was quite dirty, with dust, paint, and hair scattered everywhere. The wood on the walls was also scratched, which is a bit odd for a newly renovated hotel.

There was a strong smell of paint in the hallway. Inside the room, there was a small coffee corner with a Nespresso machine and some generic capsules. I also found a few pieces of fruit, a box of cookies, and small donuts. The room design was quite modern and in line with the Hyatt Centric style, but upon closer inspection, there were several areas with peeling paint, mold around the shower, and stains on the floor.

Breakfast at Corby's Restaurant

The breakfast at Corby's restaurant in the lobby (named after architect Le Corbusier) was truly abundant with a buffet. There were small cards on the table indicating items available upon request, such as paratha and dosa, as well as eggs. Additionally, the menu featured a variety of curries, two types of rice, fried foods, fresh juices, and bottled drinks.

There was a small corner with Western options like cereals, muffins, and bread. I noticed that most of the food was vegetarian; there were only a few meat options like bacon and sausage.

Hotel Amenities

The hotel has a pool on the first floor and a small bar. However, the service seemed rather indifferent. No one helped me with my luggage upon arrival; the staff appeared to be more focused on their phones. When I inquired about nearby restaurants, they could only recommend those within the hotel.

Final Impressions

Upon checkout, no one mentioned the bill or thanked me for my stay. They weren’t necessarily wrong, but it felt lacking in hospitality. Overall, at a cost of 5,000 points per night, I think Hyatt Centric Chandigarh is a decent choice for exploring the city. It has a great location, the hotel is relatively new, and the breakfast is satisfactory. It feels more like a Hyatt Centric in the U.S. than in East Asia.