Hotel review: Marriott Hyderabad


I've been quite behind on some of my trip reports, so I need to clear up a rather large backlog. In aid of that cause, here's a trip report from a hotel stay nearly 2 months back.

During my visit to Hyderabad to attend India Aviation 2016 show, I spent a night at the Marriott Hyderabad Hotel and Convention Centre, as also one night at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Gachibowli. Here's my take on the Marriott stay.



This hotel used to be known as The Viceroy, back in the day, before Marriott took up the hotel's operations and management sometime around 2009. I last stayed here in that earlier avatar of this hotel, back in 1999, and from what I can recall, there haven't been any structural changes made to the hotel. 

Marriott Hyderabad exterior view

Interestingly, there's also a Courtyard by Marriott located behind the Marriott Hyderabad, and the two hotels are connected via a sky-bridge.

For a change, I arrived slightly early in the evening (as opposed to my usual post 9 pm check-ins), and was able to get some daylight into my pictures!

Marriott Hyderabad entrance

The hotel is located on Tank Bund road, on the other side of the Husain Sagar Lake, which makes for some great views in the evening. Also, there's a newly laid walkway going around the lake, if you're interested in a stroll.

Marriott Hyderabad sunset from the entrance

While Hyderabad itself has become quite concretised, it is good to see some verdant greenery within the hotel premises.

Marriott Hyderabad car drop off point

Upon entrance is a small lobby with the check-in desk on one side and some seating on the other.

Marriott Hyderabad lobby

Marriott Hyderabad lobby

There's also an extended area just past check-in, with an open access coffee-shop that also offers some short-eats, in addition to some more seating. A good place to lounge or meet visitors, and there's no compulsion to buy anything.

Marriott Hyderabad lobby

Marriott Hyderabad lobby

Just beyond are the ramp and a couple of steps towards the elevator and restaurants.

Marriott Hyderabad lobby

The entrance to the restaurant and coffee shop are located just a short distance from the elevator bank.

Marriott Hyderabad view of coffee shop OKRA from the elevator lobby

Marriott Hyderabad view of restaurant BIDRI from the elevator lobby

I took the elevator up to my room on the third floor. The hotel's layout is in a "Y" shape, so there are three wings branching off from the central elevator lobby.

Marriott Hyderabad elevator lobby

If you're staying at this hotel, I'd strongly urge you to memorise the directions from the elevator to your room. The pathways all look the same, and there are multiple mirrors in the lift lobby, which complicates things and confuses one's sense of direction!

Marriott Hyderabad elevator lobby

Luckily for me, my wing had a central atrium, and so I was able to identify it easily.

Marriott Hyderabad atrium

And now on to the room, and I'll let the pictures do most of the talking.

Marriott Hyderabad guest room


Marriott Hyderabad guest room

Marriott Hyderabad guest room bed

Marriott Hyderabad guest room work desk

Marriott Hyderabad guest room couch

Marriott Hyderabad guest room

Marriott Hyderabad guest room

Marriott Hyderabad guest room mini bar

Marriott Hyderabad guest room looking out

Overall, the bed and the chair were quite comfortable. I did have an initial issue with the ultra-soft pillows they'd placed in the room, but I was able to get them to provide me with harder pillows, which is how I like them. If I had a complaint about the room, it would be that the lighting was rather minimal, but there could've been more options. The second picture in the above set (of the bedroom) gives you a rather dull and gloomy view of the room, which is what it was once the sun went down.

The bathroom entrance is from the vestibule itself, via a sliding door. It is a rather normal sized bathroom and includes a bath tub.

Marriott Hyderabad bath room

Marriott Hyderabad bath room
Marriott Hyderabad toilet

Marriott Hyderabad bath room

Marriott Hyderabad bath room

Marriott Hyderabad bath tub

I ordered room service for dinner. I asked the hotel to recommend local cuisine, and I went with their choice of dosa with a side of fish in a spicy, hot gravy (Nellore Chapala Pulusu). And to finish, the south-Indian favourite: curd rice! The food was quite good, and the fish in particular was exceptional.

Marriott Hyderabad room service dinner

Breakfast the next morning was at Okra, the coffee shop. As is standard with 5-star hotels these days, there was a wide choice of foods on the buffet, including an eggs counter, breads, cereals, yogurts, fruit, cut vegetables, oriental (congee, noodles, etc), south Indian (including to-order items), and local cuisine. Interestingly, they also had some chaat varieties on offer.

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

A separate section had cold cuts, cut fruit and cheeses.

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast

They also have a live coffee counter that specialises in south Indian coffee, so be sure to try this one out, whatever else it is that you do!

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast coffee counter

Marriott Hyderabad breakfast coffee counter

There's a reasonable amount of seating space, albeit at a lower level (just a couple of steps). The coffee shop opens out to the swimming pool outside.

Marriott Hyderabad poolside

Marriott Hyderabad poolside

In general, the hotels' grounds, though limited, have been done up quite nicely. Here, some pictures from the forecourt of the hotel.

Marriott Hyderabad exterior

Marriott Hyderabad exterior

Overall, this stay was pretty good, and a personal "homecoming" of sorts. The internet speeds were quite good, though I don't have an internet test screenshot to share.

I did have a billing issue at the time of check out, but I'm fairly sure (and have been assured by the hotel's general manager as well) that it was a very exceptional situation, and they've made an acceptable goodwill gesture as well. So I'll let that one drop.

In all, a great stay, and fabulous food!

Readers: Have you stayed at the Marriott Hyderabad? What are your views?

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