Mangaldhara Tourism Property - WBTDCL

We had a very bitter experience here on 2nd May. I had booked a river-facing room on the first floor for a family day outing with my wife and son. In the morning, we called their direct number (found online) to inquire about a day-use option, but the staff informed us there was no such package and we needed to book a room.||||We specifically asked about our 18-year-old son joining us later in the afternoon. The person on the call clarified that if we shared the same bed, an extra 20% would be charged, or 30% if we needed an additional cot. He also advised us to confirm the details via the toll-free number listed on their website, which we did.||||Upon arrival, the staff were not at all welcoming. Still, we checked in, gave both mine and my wife's details, and informed the reception (person named "Ram") that our son would arrive in a couple of hours. No objections were raised at that point.||||Shockingly, during checkout in the evening, the same person asked us to pay extra charges for the third person. We were stunned -- especially after confirming everything beforehand and informing him again at check-in. When we referred to our earlier phone conversation, he asked us to show the number we had called and even denied that it belonged to their property. He rudely argued, falsely claimed it was written in the booking slip that guests weren't allowed (which was completely untrue), and repeatedly changed his statements.||||The situation escalated to the point where we had to raise our voices and demand to speak with a senior. Only then did another staff member acknowledge that the number we called was indeed theirs. We checked out without paying the baseless extra charge, but the entire episode was mentally exhausting and completely unnecessary.||||Apart from the above experience I did not find the place is spacious and good to enjoy. Only you see the river from the window most of the places are blocked so you cannot roam around and had a troll. The chairs at the outside are occupied by their staff so you don't have place to seat there. The activity room is untidy not mainatained.||||I usually prefer staying at WBTDCL or WBFDC properties in Bengal due to their beautiful locations, warm staff, and good food -- but this experience was nothing like that. We felt harassed and disrespected, and the behavior of the staff (especially "Ram") was completely unprofessional.||||I do not recommend visiting this place.

The location is awesome. A bit more upkeepment would have made it better! Service is not up to the mark, unprofessional attitude However, there are two female staffs, who are very efficient & hospitable. Food quality is average. Being very near to Kolkata, its a good place to spend a day or two.

Extremely Disappointing Experience - Not Recommended We had a very bitter experience here on 2nd May. I had booked a river-facing room on the first floor for a family day outing with my wife and son. In the morning, we called their direct number (found online) to inquire about a day-use option, but the staff informed us there was no such package and we needed to book a room. We specifically asked about our 18-year-old son joining us later in the afternoon. The person on the call clarified that if we shared the same bed, an extra 20% would be charged, or 30% if we needed an additional cot. He also advised us to confirm the details via the toll-free number listed on their website, which we did. Upon arrival, the staff were not at all welcoming. Still, we checked in, gave both mine and my wife's details, and informed the reception (person named "Ram") that our son would arrive in a couple of hours. No objections were raised at that point. Shockingly, during checkout in the evening, the same person asked us to pay extra charges for the third person. We were stunned -- especially after confirming everything beforehand and informing him again at check-in. When we referred to our earlier phone conversation, he asked us to show the number we had called and even denied that it belonged to their property. He rudely argued, falsely claimed it was written in the booking slip that guests weren't allowed (which was completely untrue), and repeatedly changed his statements. The situation escalated to the point where we had to raise our voices and demand to speak with a senior. Only then did another staff member acknowledge that the number we called was indeed theirs. We checked out without paying the baseless extra charge, but the entire episode was mentally exhausting and completely unnecessary. I usually prefer staying at WBTDCL or WBFDC properties in Bengal due to their beautiful locations, warm staff, and good food -- but this experience was nothing like that. We felt harassed and disrespected, and the behavior of the staff (especially "Ram") was completely unprofessional. I do not recommend visiting this place.

This is a facility run by the West Bengal Government located right on the river Hooghly not too far from Kolkata. It is good for a night-stay but probably not much longer than that and, I suppose, neither is intended it to be. And even that preferably during the summer. In December when we visited it was difficult to keep warm in the bed as there were no drawer sheets for the blanket nor even a blanket cover. In a hotel, need we add, that using a blanket without a drawer sheet or a cover is downright unhygienic. The location is excellent but the service is appalling. We had booked a river-facing room on the ground floor. On arrival we asked whether a first floor river-facing room was available instead. We were told that all such first floor rooms were booked. (We had reasons to doubt this as there were few guests at the lunch, dinner, and breakfast times.) We had asked to see the room we were to be allotted but even this was not done. In short, the people at the front desk are hardly suitable. The place lacks maintenance. For example, the toilet bowl, the tap handles and other fittings are not properly cleaned and maintained. The cooking in the restaurant was nothing to write home about. Unlike in other West Bengal Government run properties there is no facility to order a half-plate of rice, so that at lunch and dinner a lot of it remained left-over. The dining table was unclean with crumbs and tea-stains. In spite of our request, it was not cleaned. The redeeming feature is that the cooking medium is good and the food is stomach-friendly. The wifi is not particularly robust and it is shutdown at nighttime - at least on the night we spent. There are enough electrical charging points but it a struggle to fit a plug at any of these. The room did have a minifridge, a flat-screen TV, and an electric kettle. From other government properties we are familiar with, we had asked for a register for visitor's suggestions. We were told that no such register was maintained; rather we will receive a text message requesting our comments. No such text message came within the next three weeks. Obviously, the staff here needs a thorough overhaul. Otherwise, the place will rapidly decline.

I didn't stay at this property. I only had lunch and enjoyed spending a lot of time in the garden and lawn. The food was quite well cooked. But they need more staff on weekends and holidays. This property is located just on the bank of the river.

We visited the property for a short two day trip with family. We had booked the interconnected river facing room on the first floor. The rooms were quite spacious and clean. However, the AC installations has perhaps not been done properly - AC water was backflowing into the room. Staff behavior was good and they were quite helpful. Food quality can be improved a lot- - it was not very fresh. This is a concern specially when you are travelling with children and senior family members. Property maintenance can also be improved.

Three of us stayed at the first floor, river facing suite room at the end of December 2024. The location and ambience is good; food is tasty; offers free parking; the entire compound is well secured. The staff are helpful and courteous. The only misses were - ill maintained linen and probably an under staffed kitchen leading to slow service. However, a near perfect weekend destination from Kolkata.

The property is very well maintained. The staff are very helpful and cordial. The restaurant serves homely delicious food. We had a family trip for one night in 1st week of January. We enjoyed the lovely ambience.