Editor,
Recently, I had the opportunity to stay at Meghalaya House in Delhi, located on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Road. While the accommodation itself was decent, the staff and the hygienic environment is to be praised, management’s pricing policy and food quality left much to be desired. What should have been a comfortable and affordable stay for people from Meghalaya turned into an experience of frustration due to unfair billing practices and poor food services.
One of the most concerning issues is the practice of charging per head for a single room. Unlike standard hotels and guesthouses—where a room is rented at a fixed rate regardless of the number of occupants—Meghalaya House charges per person even if two or three people share the same room. This is not only illogical but also financially burdensome for travelers, especially families or groups.
For example, if a room costs Rs 2,000 per night, a couple staying together should pay Rs 2,000 (as in any hotel), but instead, they are charged Rs 2,000 per person (Rs 4,000 total). I am uncertain about others views on the matter but I find this pricing management so illogical. This unjust system makes staying at Meghalaya House more expensive than private hotels, defeating the purpose of a state-run guesthouse meant to assist its people.
Another major issue is the substandard food service. While the room service is decent and friendly, the meals provided were below average in taste and quality, especially considering that guests have no alternative but to eat there. Many state guesthouses in Delhi provide affordable meals, but Meghalaya House seems to be failing in this regard.
Meghalaya House, like other state guesthouses, is meant to provide affordable and comfortable stays for citizens of Meghalaya traveling to Delhi. However, the current policies make it more of a hassle than a help. The government must re-evaluate the pricing structure and improve food services to ensure that people from the state are not overcharged or inconvenienced.
My humble suggestions is that
- Stop the per-head room charging policy. Rooms should be rented at a fixed rate, as in any other hotel.
- Improve food quality– Ensure hygienic, tasty, and reasonably priced meals for guests.
- Better management oversight – Regular inspections and feedback systems should be implemented.
- Transparent pricing – Clearly display room tariffs and meal charges to avoid confusion.
The people of the state deserve better when using facilities meant for their convenience.
State guesthouses should be a home away from home, not a place of unnecessary stress and financial strain.
Name withheld on request
Via e-mail
