Travel writer Bindu Gopal Rao finds a stay at Novotel Guwahati located in GS Road is the perfect way to see the awesome state of Assam with the right dose of luxury whether you are travelling on business or leisure.
It was a much awaited trip to the North East of India that saw me visiting the beautiful city of Guwahati and the sight of the might Brahmaputra River framed by beautiful tree laden mountains that I saw from the flight set the right tone for this break.
Contemporary Chic
A one hour drive from the airport and I was at the hotel’s lobby where I was welcomed with a traditional gamcha (a stole made by local Assamese weavers) and led to my room where a basket of fruits and delicious desserts were in store. The room itself was done up like a contemporary business hotel with muted beige and brown hued décor with a pop of yellow from the cushions and a band on the rug in the room.
The well-appointed room had an attached toilet, cupboard, coffee maker, iron board, wireless Internet and television that made it the perfect choice for my sojourn here. In all there are 118 sophisticatedly designed rooms and suites, including 60 Superior King rooms, 24 Superior Double rooms, 14 Executive King rooms, 12 Executive Double rooms and 8 Deluxe Suites.
The king sized bed in my room was very comfortable and the hotel also has a pillow menu where you can choose an extra soft pillow, hard pillow, feather pillow or aroma therapy pillow. The room is serviced twice in the morning and evening when a turn down service is done to ensure a restful night of sleep.
The bathroom has a separate shower area and is fitted with a free dental kit, shaving kit, vanity kit, shower cap, shoe shiner and comb. If you have forgotten something the hotel allows you to borrow hair oil pouch, sanitary pad, nail cutter, safety pins, talcum powder, baby bathtub, nail polish remover, sewing kits, ear plugs and even a universal charger!
Dine in Style
The hotel has an all-day dining space called ‘The Square’ where you have an a-la-carte as well as buffet (based on occupancy) served for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Spearheaded by Executive Chef Sujit Chakraborty, the menu is an interesting mix of Indian and Continental dishes that is sure to keep all kinds of guests happy. The bright and airy restaurant has comfortable teal and yellow chairs that play perfect foil to the otherwise muted beige décor.
There is also an alfresco seating area here where you can enjoy the outdoors especially towards the evening. This space also features ‘Malt’- the largest whiskey library in town. When you are here do visit ‘Skye ’-A Poolbar with a Difference on the tenth level which is a cozy open air lounge bar that has views to match the drinks. This space has incidentally opened quite recently and is a huge hit with both locals and tourists. The bar serves signature mocktails and cocktails as well as a variety of spirits to ensure you can chill by the pool quite literally.
Facilities and More
The banqueting spaces at Novotel Guwahati include ‘Celebration’- The Ball Room that can be divided into two spaces or opened up into one large space based on the requirement. There is also a smaller board room and forum space for intimate meetings. Being part of the Accor Group, the hotel has several environment friendly measures implemented as part of the Planet 21 program as well.
If you are looking for something to relax and replenish yourself, check out the Novotel’s wellness options. Take a dip into the infinity swimming pool or head to the fitness center that has a state of the art gym and is fully equipped with a range of fitness equipment. If you want to relax, a must visit is the in house ‘Unora’ Spa By Tattva that offers a range of Indian and Western therapies that guarantee some much needed rest and relaxation time. Being located on the main road in the city, there is never a dull moment here. Shoppers can indulge in retail therapy in the malls that surround the hotel as well.
Awesome Assam
Being the capital city of the state of Assam, Guwahati has a number of sights that can be explored when you are at Novotel Guwahati. Do check out the Assam State Museum that is a virtual storehouse of the local Ahom culture and folklore that houses artefacts dating back to the 7th century.
If you love arts and theatre, head to the Shrimanta Shankardeva Kalakshetra that conducts regular dance, drama and musical performances in the open air theatre. There is a library, children’s park and a museum that houses several artefacts as well. A must do however is to take a sunset cruise over the mighty Brahmaputra River where you can experience a candle-lit dinner as well as an watching alluring sunset on the local cruise lines.
The World Heritage site – Kaziranga National Park that is home to the rare one horned rhinoceros is just 200 kilometers away and is a must see as well. Also take the time to make an early morning pit stop at the famed Kamakhya Temple considered as the sacred and oldest of the Shakti Peeths (places of powerful worship) in India is dedicated to the Goddess Sati or Parvati. Whether you are spiritual or not, the exhilarating views from the Nilachal Hills are sure to take your breath away, much like the rest of the stay here. So for your next trip to Guwahati, choose Novotel, it is an experience that will make you feel like a home away from home.
Address: GS Rd, Dispur, Downtown, Guwahati, Assam 781006
Phone: 0361-710-4444
Website: accorhotels.com
Images courtesy of Novotel Guwahati
