Recently I checked in to the new airport hotel Taj Bangalore. It was a pleasant surprise to note that this hotel is just five minutes away from the airport. Even though I enjoy being in Bengaluru each time I visit, the traffic is a major problem and to get to a hotel from the airport can easily take up at least an hour or more. Taj Bangalore is the latest addition to the Taj group’s luxury portfolio and the sixth Taj group hotel in the Garden City-Bengaluru.
Conveniently located minutes from Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, Taj Bangalore offers a world of sophisticated luxury. This spacious hotel was beautifully decked up for Christmas during my stay making it an even more pleasant experience. When I entered my suite, I was pleasantly surprised to see a unique welcome in the form of a foot relaxation ritual complete with rose petals, a body lotion, bath salts, etc.
“Bangalore is the epicenter of India’s entrepreneurial wave and an emerging center for international conclaves and conferences. As the city continues to grow and thrive, we are excited to add to the momentum by welcoming the newest Taj hotel to the city. Taj Bangalore reflects the city’s unique urban identity and will extend to its guests the unmistakable Taj warmth and elegance.” said Prabhat Verma, Senior Vice President – Operations – South, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.
Through its contemporary, sleek and spacious design, the Taj Bangalore offers a window into the progressive spirit of the Garden City that is Bengaluru. The design showcases the intelligent use of indoor and outdoor space and use of natural light is a tribute to the city’s temperate climate. In dedicated collaborative work-life zones, a guest is able to work, network, dine and socialize against the backdrop of extensive green lawns and open spaces. The high ceilinged event spaces lend themselves to making it the ideal setting for large meetings, conference and weddings events alike.
“Taj Bangalore is designed to give entrepreneurs, business professionals and those in search of rest and relaxation the very best of the Taj’s legendary service. Our services are centered on the guest experience: spacious rooms, expansive conference and events spaces, dedicated start-up friendly zones and round-the-clock gastronomic treats encourage the mind-space to think and create. On-the-go food and the anti-jet-lag menu at the elegant Jiva spa are designed with our multitasking guests in mind,” said Ian Dubier, General Manager, Taj Bangalore.
The 154 spacious rooms are designed to an elegant and warm color palette to create a sophisticated residence well-appointed for both business and leisure. The hotel’s 12 luxury suites and a presidential suite with state-of-art technology are designed to anticipate the needs of business travelers. Taj Bangalore has over 25000 sq.ft. of banqueting space, comprising an array of private multifunctional indoor spaces from elegant ballrooms to intimate boardrooms to suit all requirements. The events spaces lead onto landscaped gardens; the seamless merging of the indoor and outdoor is reminiscent of Bangalore’s own cityscape. Central to the hotel’s philosophy is connectivity; a networking table in the central lobby creates a community space for business guests to co-work and connect with like-minded people.
At Taj Bangalore there’s a menu for every palate and the options offered by its excellent restaurants make this hotel a foodie’s delight in every way. The 24-hour all-day dining, Café 77 East, has light-filled indoor and alfresco spaces ideal for the Bangalore weather. Live cooking stations offering small and large plate options, to engage guests in the eating experience for everything from global comfort food to a taste of the Southern regional favorites. Spoonwali papdi chaat, Prawn & green mango salad, lemon chilli and Coorg honey dressing, Carrot & date cake Sandwich and Ooty walnut fudge, white coffee ice cream, Bailey’s caramel sauce are signature preparations. The Indian restaurant, Tamarind is perfect for those who prefer authentic Indian cuisine and one can choose from dishes straight from the Royal kitchens including Rajasthani laal maas, Punjabi rara gosht or Awadhi lagan ka murgh. Gilori paneer tikka, Nalli-e-khaas, Safed masale ki murg biryani, Dahi kachri kebab, Bakli salad, Sheermal tart mein gilawat and Qasar-e-pukhtan.
I am a fan of Oriental cuisine so I was thrilled to visit the Asian restaurant, Soi & Sake which offers Chinese and Japanese cuisine. There is a live Tepan grill and Sushi bar for those who like seeing their food being cooked. Prawn Har Gao, Panfried chicken kothe, chilli garlic dip, Sautéed prawn with broccoli and Pakchoy & Shitake mushroom in Oyster glaze are signature preparations in this elegant Oriental restaurant. It is a great idea to sip a glass of warm sake with the delicious cuisine served here.
The Jiva Spa at Taj Bangalore is an oasis of comfortable luxury where one can relax and rejuvenate. I tried the Jivaniya Invigorate which is perfect for winters, a treatment that lasts for 120 minutes. This is an energizing treatment to relieve muscular tension and improve blood circulation. It includes an exfoliating herbal scrub of exotic spices and herbs from the hills of India, a heat-stimulating wrap, followed by a revitalizing massage. The scrub and wrap provides heat and the energizing massage helps to increase the blood circulation which helps to keep the body warm in very cold winters.
The treatment starts with the application of a masala spice scrub which is a mixture of Indian spices. After the application, the scrub is washed off with plain warm water. A clay wrap consisting of twenty two Indian herbs is applied and covered in a plastic sheet for twenty minutes. This is followed by Orja Dayaka (an energizing massage) using a blend of Tulsi (gives clarity of mind), Nagarmotha (uplifts spirits) and fennel (a stimulant). This is a deep-muscular massage to lift one’s spirits and revive inner vitality. A special blend of oil, laced with fragrances of Nagarmotha, Pachouli, Tulsi and Aswagandha, works on the body’s deep-seated aches, releasing trapped nerves and balancing the flow of energy in the body.
I also tried the Hair Spa in the salon which is a luxurious that cleanses and nourishes the hair. While in Jiva spa, it is also a great idea to go for the Signature Jiva Facial in which my face was delicately cleaned, exfoliated, massaged and moisturized. A therapeutic mask was applied which completes this treatment followed by a gentle hand, foot and back massage.
Address: Near Kempegowda International Airport, Devanahalli Bengaluru India 560300.
