- Travel vlogger compares UK and India five-star hotel experiences in a viral Instagram post
- UK hotels offer compact rooms with efficient, no-frills service despite high prices
- Indian hotels provide warmer welcomes, larger rooms, and more personalized hospitality
A travel vlogger's recent Instagram post comparing five-star hotel experiences in the UK and India has sparked discussion online about what "luxury" really means - and how differently it can be defined across countries. The viral post shared by content creator @nomadicdipanshu contrasts a high-end hotel experience in the UK with one in India, and it has clearly struck a chord with many people online. The vlogger begins by stating he paid around £900 (close to Rs 1 lakh) for a five-star hotel in the UK. What he got was a compact room with basic comforts and a no-frills experience. In comparison, he explained that spending about Rs 25,000 at a luxury hotel in India would usually mean a much warmer welcome: garlands, a tilak, welcome drinks, and staff going out of their way to make guests feel special.
The difference, the vlogger suggests, starts right at reception. In the UK, the check-in experience is described as quick and functional, limited to confirming details and handing over the key. In India, the vlogger says the welcome tends to be more personal, with staff greeting and welcoming guests warmly. Dipanshu also points out how hotel staff roles differ. In the UK example, one person handled check-in and luggage. In Indian hotels, the vlogger notes, several staff members are often involved in the check-in. From opening doors to escorting guests to their rooms, multiple people help create a more elaborate arrival.
Room size and design differences between hotels in the two countries are also highlighted. The UK room is described as "cosy," which the vlogger jokes often means barely enough space to open a suitcase. Indian hotels usually offer larger rooms, even at lower price points, as per Dipanshu. Aesthetically, the vlogger frames UK luxury as minimal and quiet, while Indian luxury is portrayed as grand and expressive, with chandeliers, marble, and visible service.
Food service is where the difference feels most personal. The vlogger notes that breakfast hours in UK hotels are usually strict, while Indian hotels are often more flexible: willing to serve late, pack meals to go, or offer an extra cup of chai without hesitation.
According to the vlogger, UK hospitality is built around efficiency and boundaries, while Indian hospitality is driven by emotion and generosity. They concluded, "Neither is wrong - they're just wired differently: biggest realisation. UK hotels treat you like a guest. Indian hotels treat you like a relative who paid."
Instagram users reacted to the viral post in the comments, with many agreeing with the vlogger's observations. Some shared their thoughts on the reasons for such differences. Read selected reactions below:
One user declared, "Indian hospitality is the BEST in the world."
A second user stated, "In five-star hotels in India, guests are treated extremely well compared to similar hotels in any other country."
Another pointed out, "The employee salaries and all the other overheads... compare them, then you can see why."
"25K in Bali or Thailand would give you an even better and more luxurious feel. It's all about PPP & labour expense," explained one person.
Another said, "Loved the sentence: 'A relative who paid'."
The viral post has clocked over 1.1 million views so far on Instagram.
