Islamabad's Hidden Gem: Hotel AL MARKAZ - Unbelievable Luxury Awaits!
Islamabad's Hidden Gem: AL MARKAZ Hotel - Seriously, Unbelievable Luxury (But is it REALLY?!)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I just got back from Islamabad, and I'm here to spill the tea (and hopefully, the champagne) on the AL MARKAZ Hotel. This place… well, let's just say it's a whirlwind. The marketing blitz promised "Unbelievable Luxury," and I'm still sifting through the dust to figure out if that’s truth or hype. So, let's dive in, shall we? Prepare for a messy, honest, and hopefully hilarious review. And yes, I'm going to get personal. This ain't your grandma's polite travel blog!
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(First Impressions & Accessibility - A Mixed Bag!)
Okay, first things first: Accessibility. Listen, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I've seen enough hotels that say they're accessible but are… well, aren't. AL MARKAZ did a decent job. The elevator was easy to find, the ramps were there (although a bit steep in one spot), and there were accessible rooms available. The real test? The bathroom. And yes, they had adapted bathrooms! Not perfect, but definitely better than your average Pakistani hotel. Kudos for that.
The exterior? Grand. Imposing. A little… sterile, to be honest. Think polished marble, perfectly manicured lawns, and enough security cameras to make you feel you are in some high profile security zone. The entrance was grand, the staff were extremely polite (almost too much), and they bustled around like busy little bees.
Getting Around: Airport transfer? Yes! And it was stellar. Punctual, comfortable car, polite driver. A perfect start. Car park was free and plentiful, but the valet parking was a lifesaver. I mean, who wants to sweat while searching for a parking spot in this heat?! Taxi service was also readily available. I wouldn't say you NEEDED a car, but it made things significantly easier and more comfortable.
Check-in/out [express] & [private]: Express check-in was offered, but honestly, the staff loved to chat. Probably better to just kick back and enjoy it. But yes, all types of check-in/out were provided as well as Luggage storage.
(Rooms - From "Wow!" to "Wait… Is that Mold?")
My room (a "deluxe suite" - whatever that means) was initially stunning. Air conditioning? Glorious. Blackout curtains? Essential for sleeping past dawn. Free Wi-Fi? Worked perfectly, which is a miracle in Pakistan. They had Internet access – wireless, Internet access – LAN, Laptop workspace, and all that jazz. They had all the little things - Complimentary tea, Coffee/tea maker, Free bottled water, Slippers, Bathrobes, Mini bar, Ironing facilities, Mirror, Refrigerator, Hair dryer, Safety/security feature, like a In-room safe box, and on and on..
The bed was genuinely comfortable (thank GOD for the Extra long bed!), the linens felt luxurious, and the seating area was perfect for collapsing after a long day of… well, everything. I actually took a nap on the couch in the middle of the day, which is a rare accomplishment in my life.
Here's the but though. I'm not going to lie, and I'll be honest, for some it will sound like nitpicking, but close it, I felt like a high class snooty critic to this hotel but, after the first day I noticed a faint, almost imperceptible, damp smell in the closet. I eventually figured out there was slight Mold forming in the corner. No biggie if this was cheap, but, for the price of this place, I expected pristine. It’s things like this that can take you out of the “luxury” bubble fast.
Here is a list of rooms amenities. Be warned. Available in all rooms
- Additional toilet
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom phone
- Bathtub
- Blackout curtains
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Extra long bed
- Free bottled water
- Hair dryer
- High floor
- In-room safe box
- Interconnecting room(s) available
- Internet access – LAN
- Internet access – wireless
- Ironing facilities
- Laptop workspace
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- On-demand movies
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Scale
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Wi-Fi [free]
- Window that opens.
(Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Foodie's Rollercoaster)
The food situation was a mixed bag, folks. Restaurants? Yes, plural! Room service [24-hour]? Yes! This is where it gets interesting.
Breakfast [buffet] at the main restaurant was a feast for the eyes. Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, it’s all there! Fresh naan, the usual suspects. But it was busy and chaotic. Like, organized chaos. The staff constantly swarming to clear tables and restock. My opinion? It was good (especially the freshly fried parathas), but not mind-blowing.
The A la carte in restaurant felt a little more… relaxed. I tried the local cuisine and was pleasantly surprised. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was on point, and the Vegetarian restaurant offered some excellent choices. They were very respectful of my dietary preferences. Food delivery was also available.
The Poolside bar made me happy! That’s where I spent most of my lazy afternoons Happy hour. The Snack bar was convenient for small bites. I got a pretty decent Salad in restaurant one day.
The Pool with view, Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom, Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Massage. The spa was excellent. Seriously. The massage therapists were skilled, and the spa itself was beautifully designed. I highly recommend treating yourself. No seriously, do it.
Here is a list of Dining, drinking, and snacking Amenities. Be warned.
- A la carte in restaurant
- Alternative meal arrangement
- Asian breakfast
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar
- Bottle of water
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Breakfast service
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Desserts in restaurant
- Happy hour
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Restaurants
- Room service [24-hour]
- Salad in restaurant
- Snack bar
- Soup in restaurant
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
(Services and Conveniences - Above and Beyond (Mostly))
The concierge was a lifesaver. They booked me a guided tour, found me a good tailor, and helped me navigate the city. Dry cleaning and laundry service were swift and efficient. They had a Gift/souvenir shop, which came in handy for last-minute presents. Cash withdrawal was easy.
The hotel also had a Business facilities. They had Meetings, Meeting stationery, Seminars, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Indoor venue for special events, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center.
Okay, but here were my observations. They are offering “luxury” but they also really want you to buy into the security measures and make you feel safe.
Copenhagen DREAM Apartment: HUGE Balcony & City Center Views!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup! You're getting the unfiltered, slightly insane, and definitely not perfectly polished itinerary for my stay (hypothetically, because I write these things… I'm not actually IN Pakistan right now, which is a crying shame because the food… OH GOD, the food…). This is for Hotel Al Markaz in Islamabad. And trust me, it's going to be a ride.
Hotel Al Markaz Islamabad: A Chronicle of Chaos (and Chai)
Day 1: Arrival, Altitude Adjustment, and the Absolute State of My Luggage
- 14:00 (ish) Arrival at Islamabad International Airport (ISB). Right, so first things first. The flight? Uneventful, except for the tiny Pakistani man who kept trying to sell me a "genuine" hand-knitted prayer cap (I suspect he’d knitted it on the plane – the yarn was practically still buzzing). Ended up politely declining, promising to "think about it." Spoiler alert: I did not think about it. The baggage claim, however… that was a scene. My suitcase, bless its perfectly organized little nylon soul, was the last to emerge. It probably had existential angst about the whole process. It’s survived worse, mind you.
- 15:30 (Hopefully, fingers crossed) Check-in at Hotel Al Markaz. Ah, the sweet, sweet promise of a decent bed and a hot shower. Praying the room is not a dungeon (always a risk, no matter how fancy the hotel claims to be). My brain is already operating at about 60% function, which is about par for the course when travelling.
- 16:30 (Or maybe 17:00… I'm not great at timing.) Room Recon & Mini-Meltdown. Okay, room check. Air conditioning working? Check. Bed not resembling a concrete slab? Double check. Toiletries… ah, the true test. I'm looking for decent shampoo, not that harsh, chemical-laced stuff that strips all the goodness from your hair. If they have a decent shampoo, I'm already more than halfway satisfied. Also… Where's the tea? I'm on Pakistani soil, for goodness sake. I need immediate access to chai.
- 17:30 (Chai Time is Non-Negotiable). Locate the nearest source of that sweet, milky nectar. Find someone who can make me chai. Seriously, if the Al Markaz staff don't have it, then I will riot. Quietly. Preferably while sipping a beautifully spiced cuppa.
- 19:00 Dinner at Al Markaz Restaurant (Assuming my stomach has forgiven me by then). Chicken Karahi. It's what I have to order. It's practically a law. Then I need to try everything that smells delicious. I'm a simple lady with expensive tastes: good food is a basic necessity.
Day 2: Margalla Hills, Momos, and the Great Chai Hunt (Continues)
08:00 (Wake up, or attempt to… jet lag is a cruel mistress). Breakfast! I hope they have paratha. And omelets. And maybe some sort of magical Pakistani breakfast I can't even imagine yet.
09:00 A Taxi to the Margalla Hills. The hills! Supposedly breathtaking views. Hoping the traffic isn't a soul-crushing horror show. Need to remember to bargain the price before getting in. I'm terrible at bargaining. I always feel like I'm ripping someone off, even when I'm probably being overcharged myself.
09:30 – 12:00 Hiking (or at least, a very gentle stroll that looks like hiking). I'm not exactly a mountain goat, mind you. More of a slightly enthusiastic, easily winded tourist. The goal is to see something beautiful, not to win a marathon.
12:00-13:00: Momos hunt and Lunch in a Restaurant with a view. The Momos are the ultimate test of my culinary experience. I have to taste them all!
14:00 Hotel Relaxation (and maybe a nap. Don't judge me). Recharge for the afternoon adventures.
16:00 - 17:00 Faisal Mosque. It is the pride of Pakistan, so need to respect it.
18:00-19:00 Dinner Time! It's getting late, and food is the only solution. I have to try Biryani and taste all the flavors.
20:00 Chai Round 2. This is a crucial element.
Day 3: Shopping (and the Unexpected Cultural Experience)
09:00 Breakfast and a Strong Coffee (Needed!). Fueling up for war… the war on souvenirs. And jet lag.
10:00 Shopping! Islamabad is supposedly great for shopping. I'm looking for textiles, maybe some jewelry… and, let's be honest, probably a few things I think I need but definitely won't. Hoping I don't end up in some ridiculously expensive tourist trap. Or, worse, accidentally buy something truly hideous.
12:30 Lunch (somewhere with air conditioning. Please). I'm thinking street food, if my stomach can handle it. Or maybe something a bit safer to eat.
14:00-16:00: Shopping Part Deux. If I haven't blown the travel budget.
17:00-18:00 Hotel relaxation, and a good time for drinking chai.
19:00 Dinner and plan some new experiences for the next day: This experience must be the best one ever.
20:00 Chai and the End of the Day.
Day 4: Exit (The Great Departure)
- 08:00: Wake up for the last time and have breakfast.
- 09:00: Pack your bags and say goodbye to the hotel.
- 10:00: Head to the airport.
- 11:00: Board the aircraft, enjoy the flight and dream of Pakistan.
Important Side Notes:
- Chai: I'm serious about the chai. It's the lifeblood of the entire trip and I'm not going to spend every day drinking it, but I'm sure I'm going to drink it many times.
- Flexibility: This is a suggestion. Things will inevitably go wrong. Tours will be cancelled. Taxis will take me the wrong way. Restaurant service will be slow. That's part of the adventure! Embrace the chaos. And try to laugh.
- My General Mood: I'll probably have a few days when I'm exhausted, confused, and maybe a little homesick. But mostly, I'll be fueled by the delicious food, the kindness of the Pakistani people, the unexpected discoveries, and the constant hunt for the perfect cup of chai. Wish me luck!
AL MARKAZ Hotel: Islamabad's "Hidden Gem" - Yeah, Right! (And Other Real Talk)
Okay, "Hidden Gem"... What's REALLY the Vibe at AL MARKAZ? Is it Actually Luxurious, or... You Know?
The Food! What's the Verdict on Eating at AL MARKAZ? Any Good, or Is It Just Fancy Presentation?
Pool or No Pool? (Because, Let's Face It, That's Important.)
Service – How's the Customer Service? Are the Staff Actually Helpful?
Anything I Should Know *Before* Booking? Any Quirks or Hidden Fees?
Let's Talk About THAT One Experience... You Know, The One That REALLY Stands Out? Spill the Tea!
Would You Recommend it? The Big Question!5 Star Stay Find
