India Travel Planner 2012 - (Page 18)

ACCOMMODATIONS I-18 incredibleindia.org Charming Stays India’s hotel landscape is a tightly woven tapestry of style, comfort and luxury that is as varied as it is exuberant. Not content with the usual amenities, the country’s polished hotel offerings step well outside the box with ladies-only ﬂoors, tents so embellished that they seem inspired by fairy tales, palaces still ﬁt for royalty, countryside retreats that hark to another era and B&Bs that offer a window into a more authentic, home-grown Indian experience. Above all, the hotels and resorts of India seem to have one thing in common: that inimitable Indian hospitality, coupled with the celebration of a beautiful culture. When size matters, The Leela Palace New Delhi, in the city’s Diplomatic Enclave area, delivers with rooms that are said to be among the largest in the city, and the Murano chandeliers, hand-carved elephants and miniature paintings adorning common areas blend in nicely with top-of-the-line comforts. Other perks: a huge ESPA spa, heated inﬁnity pool on its rooftop and whiskey and wine bar. No visitor to New Delhi will leave without driving to Agra for a peek at the Taj Mahal. ITC Mughal doesn’t just offer views of the most famous of Indian landmarks, but also features ITC Hotels’ ﬂagship and award-winning Kaya Kalp-The Spa and just-as-decadent spa suites, which come with private pools, treatment room and steam room. No longer do guests just come to visit the Taj Mahal, just a short drive away from the hotel; the ITC Mughal’s spa, says general manager Sanjay Sharma, has “expanded the experience” of the destination, with guests extending their stay to indulge in pomegranate sugar scrubs, Abhyanga massage and other mind-and-body treats. Visitors heading east to Kolkata will want to consider Fortune Select Loudon, an upscale hotel in the heart of Kolkata but tucked away in a quiet street away from the city’s busyness. This posh property is aimed at business travelers but pleases leisure visitors as well thanks to contemporary services and furnishings made for complete comfort. With a glittering pool, 24-hour room service and sleek, gold-tone decor in rooms and suites, guests can easily succumb to modern-day perks before and after their days of sightseeing and exploration. In the northeast, the capital of the state of Sikkim welcomes one of Mayfair Hotels & Resorts’ most enchanting properties: the Mayfair Gangtok. This colonial charmer takes full advantage of Gangtok’s high altitude and scenic beauty, with warm and inviting rooms embraced by lush foliage and villas offering dipping pools in their balconies. Besides an array of ﬁne dining options, there’s also a popular onsite casino here, plus a full-service Pevonia Spa. Children have a playground, play room and plenty of pool games to enjoy, while adults can also spend their time getting cozy in the library, mountain biking or trekking through the hills. Of course, Mumbai is not without its share City Escapes Most of India’s best-known hotel names—The Leela, Taj, ITC, Oberoi, The Claridges, to name a few—have made their fame in the cities. Last year, New Delhi’s shopping district welcomed The Oberoi, Gurgaon, an oasis in the country’s capital. With a cigar lounge, reﬂection pools and the city’s ﬁrst 24-hour spa, the hotel is just the latest of many stars in the Oberoi roster. It features opulent suites with private heated pools, plus 24-hour butler service, Clefs d’Or concierge service and Rolls Royce and BMW 7 series limousines. One of the capital city’s landmark hotels is The Claridges, New Delhi, an elegant property of classically gorgeous rooms and suites, some with private terraces, plus popular city gathering spots like The Vodka Bar and a shopping arcade. Its newer sister, The Claridges, Surajkund, Delhi, NCR, provides more modern ﬁve-star accommodations and The Claridges Spa, complete with a yoga and meditation studio. Another Delhi icon is The Imperial, built in 1931. This restored colonial-style hotel welcomes guests with Porthault linens and wellstocked minibars in rooms; ladies traveling on their own have the option to choose an Eliza Room, with special amenities and a camera right outside their door. Its new Imperial Spa provides the latest and most time honored of therapies, and there are in-house astrologers available for consultations. Yet beyond its hallowed history and legendary offerings, The Imperial is equally known for its priceless art collection and guided art tours of the hotel are easily arranged through its concierge. http://www.incredibleindia.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of India Travel Planner 2012

Quintessential India
Touring India
India by Rail & River
Wellness& Spiritual Travel
Heritage Highlights
Charming Stays
Fast Facts
Getting There & Around

India Travel Planner 2012