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As the largest city in Pakistan, Karachi offers something for everyone including a developed market for lodging. Most hotel chains are represented, from global brands to local chains, and from upper-end properties to budget options. When determining the best hotel for your needs, take into account the location relative to your destination in the city, and the potential impact of traffic on your route.
As with any hotel market, the primary consideration is affordability. Property prices in Karachi rise with location. For example, more hotels charge a higher rate to be located in the upscale neighborhoods of Clifton and Defence, while hotels in Saddar and PECHS often charge less. The higher rates charged in the more affluent neighborhoods reflect an expectation for better services, more amenities, and a higher standard of security and cleanliness.
The traffic in Karachi means distance becomes important. The hotel where you stay is closer to activities of your day trip than the hotel in the city of your choice. One of the advantages of working in Pakistan is the knowledge of local conditions; this applies to hotel selection as much as it does to the choice of airlines and transportation. The right choice of hotel is more important than the ranking of a hotel.
A) Pearl Continental Hotel Karachi
Pearl Continental Hotel (PC Hotel) is part of the PC Hotel chain owned by the Hashoo Group. PC Hotel Karachi has been one of the leading hotels of the city and has been serving the clientele of business travelers, government VIPs and visiting foreign dignitaries. The hotel has a full-service business center along with conference and banquet facilities, restaurants and a health club.
PC Hotel is one of the leading hotels of Pakistan and is used for government functions as well as conferences. For official bookings, check if rooms are available and what conference facilities the hotel has. Also find out if there is any work being done on the hotel.
B) Marriott Hotel Karachi
The Marriott Hotel is in the Abdullah Haroon area of central Karachi. This hotel has a long history of consistency and quality service. The hotel has recently been renovated and features restaurants and a fitness center.
The Marriott is ideally situated for business and leisure travelers to central and northeast Karachi. Marriott’s location is particularly convenient to Saddar and other cultural and historical sites which are further from the southern end of Karachi, including Clifton.
Avari Towers is one of the long standing hotels in Karachi and is central to the business and leisure traveler. It has a good range of dining and conference facilities. Avari Towers has retained its reputation over the years. It is one of the more comfortable hotels in Karachi and is preferred by guests who wish to stay at a property managed by an established hotel group in the city.
Other internationally branded and quality hotels in Karachi offer guests a greater choice in the five-star and four-star market. As brands and management change, it is best practice to confirm with your agent at the time of reserving a room, what the status of the hotel is.
A. Definition
In the mid-range category of hotels in Karachi, there are many options including a couple of decent ones. Decent mid-range options include some amenities and services like access to a conference center, 24 hour hot water, room service, and a back up generator.
There has been some development in the mid-range hotel sector in different areas of Karachi including Clifton and Defence. Other areas like Saddar have not kept up with development.
B. Best Areas
There are many mid-range hotels in both Defence and Clifton. Both of these areas are good for tourists as they are near the ocean and other areas of dining and entertainment.
Mid-range hotels in PECHS are also a good option for tourists as they are near other areas of the city.
Close to the airport: The hotels near the Jinnah International Airport include businesses ranging from the mid-market to the executive. These hotels are convenient for travelers who have early morning flights, or who’s business is in the northern business district of the city.
Most of the budget hotels of Karachi are located in the area known as Saddar which was previously the commercial heart of the city. Some of the attractions of the area include the Central & Empress markets, and the long distance bus & train terminals. These markets, like much of Saddar, can be very noisy. The budget hotels do reflect low prices, but an increase in comfort and a decrease in noises levels can be found at the mid-range hotels.
Saddar area budget hotels are good for travelers who are not going to stay in Karachi, or spend a lot of time in the hotel. Travelers who are going to spend a lot of time in the hotel and/or in the city might consider staying in a better area of the city.
A) For business and corporate travel
For travel that requires a stay in an organized business environment and secure facilities, the Marriott, Pearl Continental, and Avari Towers are the preferred hotels. All three are located in the heart of Karachi’s business district.
Peoples' interests in leisure travel are growing. Areas like Clifton and Defence offer the best convenience for leisure visitors. Attractions like Do Darya and the beach/boat tour departure points are in this area. Additionally, the hotels in this area provide partial sea views to their guests.
For quick access to the beaches to the West of Karachi, like French Beach and Cape Monze, visitors should find a hotel in Clifton or Defence. These beaches are further from hotels in the City Center.
The Northeast area of the city, including the Jinnah International Airport, is the nearest area to the city from the South. Hotels in this area are a quick drive to the airport and are convenient for travelers with a long layover or a very early departure flight. The hotels in the South area of the city take 45 to 60 minutes to reach from the airport in normal traffic conditions.
B) Traffic Consideration
Traffic is the key consideration for hotel selection in Karachi that is not the case for other cities in Pakistan. Being the largest city of Pakistan, there are unmanageable roads and a bad traffic management system. Travel times between different places can increase or decrease significantly depending upon the time of the day.
C) Reputation and local consultation
Reputation of the hotel and its location is important, but for detailed traffic management and constraints, it is better to consult local persons who are well-informed. Such persons can help in identifying the hotels that are favorably located for the daily activities of the visitors.
D) Safety and Area
Also, the safety situation and commercial density of an area should also be taken into account while selecting a hotel in Karachi. Areas like Clifton and Defence have established hotels that are safe and offer good services.
There is reliable security in the high-end and mid-range hotel areas in Clifton, Defence, PECHS and the CBD. In general, properties in Karachi that have their own security, a controlled lobby and porter service are more reassuring than similar properties in smaller cities of Pakistan. Your travel operator will be able to provide more information on the neighborhoods of interest to you.
For corporate bookings, it is important to confirm details such as the availability of breakout rooms, the set up of audiovisual aids and the provision of catering, prior to finalizing bookings.
Be sure to verify the schedule of the hotel generator, and its provision for the room, as the hotel may not run the generator for the full duration of the power outage.
Upon check-in, verify your room is facing the sea. Rooms facing the road and internal rooms of the hotel are generally less desirable.
Verify details for the conference and banquet facilities.
Verify details of the hotel’s shuttle service, and request an early check-in or a late check-out if your flight time is outside the norm.
B) Check Before Traveling
Is the property operating? Has the brand changed? Lower-end hotels in Karachi tend to change hands and rebrand frequently.
What is the condition of the roads? Are there better/faster routes? To get the latest information, ask your point of contact.
C) Avoid
Booking mid-range hotels based on price only. The hotel may appear to be of good quality, but in reality be run-down and in need of maintenance.
Staying in budget hotels for more than 2 nights. The different environments in Karachi quickly take their toll on a person.
Marriott and Pearl Continental hotels are the most popular luxury hotel chains in Karachi. These hotels are equally famous for their conference and lodging facilities. The choice between these hotels depends on the location.
The hotels located in Defence and Clifton areas are close to restaurants, beaches and other entertainment facilities. Hotels located in areas near Saddar and Abdullah Haroon Road are closer to historical monuments.
There are hotels in Clifton where sea views can be enjoyed from some rooms. Sea views can also be enjoyed from other hotels located further south. These rooms are booked quickly and may not be available at short notice.
Although the situation has improved over the last 10 years, there are still security concerns. Most of the hotels located in the port area are booked by tourists and business travelers. Most areas in the city are safe, but it is important to stay informed of the latest travel advisories and safety information provided by your country and/or the local business operating in the area.
E) What is the distance between Karachi’s main airports and hotels?
Jinnah International Airport is in the northeast of the city. Hotels in Defence, Clifton and central business district are at least 45 minutes away from the airport (under normal traffic conditions). Hotels located near the airport are within 20 minutes from the airport but are situated further from the main attractions of the city.
F) What is the busy/peak season in Karachi?
The city of Karachi has continuous business activity and travel. The period from November to March is the most comfortable and is considered the peak season for leisure travel and international visits.
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