5/1/2023 0 Comments Sofia coppola wine rose![]() ![]() ![]() Mornings unfailingly start with a cup of freshly brewed South Indian filter coffee. I have been here innumerable times and was left delighted each time over how the team of well-trained butlers remembers exactly what I like. And yet, despite all the scale and the opulence, the ITC Grand Chola retains a personal touch. Palatial doors, tall ceilings from where hang brilliant chandeliers, a grand staircase, and seemingly eternal corridors inspired by Chola temples all pair to build a stately aura. Through its art and decor, it honours the aesthetic. With 600 rooms spread across 1.6 million sq ft, 10 dining experiences, a ballroom that can take over 5,000 guests, and a 23,000-sq ft spa with 12 treatment rooms, it pays a fitting tribute to the scale of the medieval kingdom. Doubles from Rs79,000 website -Geetika Jain ITC Grand Chola - Chennai, IndiaĪbout a decade ago, the ITC built upon its presence in the South through this magnificent luxury hotel that channels the grand Chola empire. It bubbles up in their stories and anecdotes, and in the showing of the pugmarks of the tigers and leopards that occasionally slink by at night. Most of all, I love the genuine passion for wildlife shared by its staff, with locals making up 86 per cent of it. There are surprises aplenty such as the porridge served from a copper cauldron with a tot of rum early in the morning en route to the jeep. ![]() A member of Relais & Châteaux, Sher Bagh is attuned to the highest standards of cosseting and spoiling, and their personalised service makes for an uplifting stay. My safari-rattled bones seek sanctuary in the spa and the deeply talented chefs serve up delicious Rajasthani and international fare in atmospheric settings. The elegant olive and beige tones, the campaign furniture, and the thickly grouped wildlife photographs keep me firmly under its spell. Hidden behind a grove of trees, brimming with birdsong and an occasional troupe of langurs, are twelve luxe temperature-controlled tents, including a royal suite and two imperial suites with their own pools in private compounds. The vista can be enjoyed from a sprawling and stylish set of spaces that weaves in the bar, dining area, library, open-air deck, and a large outdoor pool. The superlative camp recently upped the ante with a dynamic renovation, which opens it up to the expansive views of grasslands and a hill beyond. I find myself heading to SUJÁN Sher Bagh over and over again as it abuts Ranthambhore, my favourite forest on the planet, teeming with wildlife and relaxed tiger sightings. Doubles from Rs33,000 website -Salil Deshpande SUJÁN Sherbagh - Rajasthan, India First date, first deal, first meal for the parents to celebrate your first job-the Taj has been a part of many stories that roll up into the story of the great city which it crowns. That matches are made over afternoon tea at the Sea Lounge that Ronnie and his service was half the legend that is Wasabi that many, like Shankar who retires in April after 40 years, are proud of it being their “first and last job”. That even today, Husain and Raza live on through their art. That a horse once walked up its grand staircase for a charity ball and a Maharaja nearly checked in a pet tiger! That the staff brought in the carpenters to fit all 6 ft 2 inches of Gregory Peck in the bed. Also true that Sarojini Naidu held a suite for over a decade, retreating there when things soured at home. It is true that Mountbatten made his final address at this hotel before leaving the Indian shores. The book of mythology where these come from has many more stories and most of them are actually true. The architect who designed The Taj Mahal Palace jumped into the sea when he saw that they built it the wrong way. Livid at being turned away from the Watson’s Hotel-because ”dogs and Indians” were not allowed-Jamsetji Tata went on to build one of the finest hotels in the world. ![]()
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