Stay loved-up at any of these five iconic luxury hotels in India, recommended by Rupali Dean
A staycation at luxurious hotels that blend tradition with exceptional style and personalised service is an experience in itself… If your special someone is the one with style, then some of these can be your choice!
Conrad, Bengaluru
Soaring 24 stories above Bengaluru’s Central Business District, Conrad offers 285 guest rooms and suites with picturesque views of Ulsoor Lake, which is so beautiful that you’ll feel you have strayed into a postcard.
WHY STAY HERE? The only hotel in the city to provide all of its room picturesque views of the Ulsoor Lake! A floor to ceiling glass window in each room adds the sense of space and allows ample of natural light to flow in. Interestingly all room door locks are Bluetooth enabled which gives Hilton Honors guests the convenience of unlocking their room doors through their smart phones
MUST DO SPA TREATMENT: Go for the Golden DNA Youth Facial using the world’s most undiscovered, potent ingredients: BosTriWell, plant stem cells, hyaluronic extract and three types of organic gold combined with sonic wave LED therapy, which enables the skin to achieve amazing rejuvenating results.
SIGNATURE RESTAURANT: TiAmo has earned a reputation for being innovative and using high quality ingredients. Every dish from the salad to the Sea Bass will not disappoint – a consistency of standards that add to your dining pleasure. Try the Lamb tagine, served in authentic style with cous cous. The icing on the cake is the view across the looming lake through the infinity pool.
25/3 Kensignton Road, Ulsoor, Tel: +91 080 2214 4444
The Leela Mumbai
Luxury and style is definitely on the agenda at this chic, modern hotel housed in an old building in close proximity to the International Airport. Step closer and these doors slip away, revealing a world full of wonders within the 11 acres of well-planned ambrosial gardens, cascading waterfalls and a serene lotus pond.
WHY STAY HERE? Mumbai’s only Resort style business hotel! The 391 self-contained luxury rooms and suites are gorgeously designed and balance harmony and material comforts with a splash of glamour.
MUST DO SPA TREATMENT: The spa seems to have drawn on the nature, essence and energy of its surroundings i.e. the pulse of a cityscape and offers luxury and outstanding service. Aromatherapy makes for the ultimate remedy for relaxation. The easy and tender strokes put me into a quiet snooze, a reason why this massage is mainly helpful for those who find it tough to shut eye.
SIGNATURE RESTAURANT: Jamavar breaks away from the clichéd interiors associated with Indian cuisine restaurants as it translates authentic Indian cuisine into a stylish, contemporary setting. Jamavar reveals its clandestine offerings, where every dish you partake of, is part of a saga, and every recipe, a piece of culinary history. The rich menu enhanced by coveted and extraordinary spices is a feast fit for gods where not only are dishes created using age-old recipes but also through its evolution and adaptation.
Sahar, Andheri (E), Tel: 022 6691 1234
Andaz, Delhi
LOCATION: An exceedingly personalised yet chic haven set between the hurried metropolises of Delhi and Gurgaon. Imitating the exclusive culture of Delhi, the hotel offers local stimuli throughout. Discover guestrooms that each feature their own novel piece of art signifying one of 401 reasons to fall in love with Delhi.
WHY STAY HERE? Andaz brand’s first hotel in India, this is a luxury lifestyle hotel by Hyatt which rejoices local culture and the exclusive spirit of neighbourhood. On offer here are experiences that are stirred by the neighbourhood’s rich antiquity and local culture, helping guests get to know their environs more familiarly and leave feeling like a local.
MUST DO SPA TREATMENT: Andaz Spa Journeys offer a curated assortment of generous experiences intended to carry results and cherish inside out. I would recommend the Facial, for full body renewal through a tailor-made exfoliating body Restore scrub, a tension relieving Andaz Signature massage to release muscle and mental strain, and a balancing deep cleansing facial to address individual skin requirements.
SIGNATURE RESTAURANT: Like many European food halls, AnnaMaya, is a place where food is served and exciting artisanal produce and items are accessible for sale. The food hall trails the ‘Made in India’ concept, must have a communally inspiring story behind the commercial execution, and their present business element must be socially pertinent in order to help communities and their particular settings within India.
Delhi, Asset no. 1, Aerocity, TEL: 011 4903 1234
ITC Kohenur, Hyderabad
As you drive into the heart of Hyderabad’s new business district (HITEC City) you will come upon what looks like a Diamond. Once inside you will be mesmerised by the grand stature and elegant interiors. It depicts the elegance of history alongside providing the finest conveniences.
WHY STAY HERE? Injected is a sense of place in keeping with their endeavours to reflect the cultural ethos of the destination through the luxury hotel.
MUST DO SPA TREATMENT: The in house Kaya Kalp – the Royal Spa is a must try. Not only does it restore the shine on your skin but also relieves mental and physical stress both as a result of soothing aromas and medium pressure given on pressure points over the entire body. The treatment rooms are aesthetically done and make for a perfect place to escape, away from the city’s chaos.
SIGNATURE RESTAURANT: Showcasing the grand cuisine of India, counting inspirations from the royal cuisine of Hyderabad, Dum Pukht Begum’s is an effort to resuscitate the craftiness of courtly manner, presentation and cookery from the region. It gestures you to partake in a royal feast as it benevolences age-old recipes and authentic flavours from the kitchens of the royal families of Hyderabad in an ambience that is truly regal.
Plot No. 5, Survey No. 83/1, Madhapur (HITEC City), Tel: +9140 67660101
The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata
Not too far from the white Marble Victoria memorial in one of Kolkata’s most multi-ethnic precincts, close to shopping, the famed Park Street and the business district, The Lalit Great Eastern offers an elite sanctuary in the heart of the city.
WHY STAY HERE? 195 keys open the doors to the largest luxury rooms and suites in Kolkata. The Heritage Block emits the appeal of the British Colonial Era, whereas the Modern Block integrates a present-day look and feel, heightened with genuine Bengali artwork, craft and design elements.
MUST DO SPA TREATMENT: Spread across 13000 sq. feet, the Spa is a cohesive area catering to health, fitness and beauty, all under one roof. The environment and facilities are designed to cater to international standards offering an array of treatments incorporating an ‘East meets west’ philosophy. A USP here also is the unmatched experience of an Aqua Bed, a first in Kolkata
SIGNATURE RESTAURANT: Mr. David Wilson had opened ‘The Bakery’ even before he built the hotel so it brings a lot of sentimental value. To bring that relic alive the huge Side Flue bakery oven which replaced the old bee hive oven has been used in parts and pieces in the present bakery to give the same visual feel. The ‘puffs’ and ‘Beans on toast’ are hands down the best in Kolkata at The Bakery!
1, 2, 3, Old Court House Street, Dalhousie Square, Kolkata, TEL: 033 4444 7777