STEEPED IN NOSTALGIA
THE WAVERLY
Just a hop, skip and jump (or let’s say, a few elevators) away from leading high street stores like H&M, Superdry and others, The Waverly Hotel & Residences at VR Bengaluru, offers you a chance to literally stay at a mall. Inspired by the culturally rich neighbourhood of Whitefield, The Waverly takes its name from the erstwhile Waverly Inn, frequented by the likes of Winston Churchill. Apart from a suite named after Churchill, they draw on several Anglo-Indian names and references such as the Whitefield Arms, a quintessential British pub with access from the mall and the hotel. With a menu of steaks, leather seating and a map of old Whitefield, it is dunked in nostalgia.
The rooms, The Waverly Room, Studio, Loft and Residences vary in sizes but keep to minimalist theme with bare furniture, wallpaper, neutral drapes and wooden flooring. Everything is geared towards simple, functional and clutter-free. Bathrooms though well-equipped with amenities, have no shower curtains. We did miss the occasional personalisation that comes with luxury hotels and the soft bedside rug for our aching feet from the mall sprint.
The rooms look out to the mall next door or to the many under-construction high rises that this part of town has come to be associated with. Not a sight for sore eyes, but turn the peepers instead to framed illustrations of old Bangalore by Paul Fernandes neatly mounted on the wall.
The Waverly’s USP lies in the maze of lifts through its pretty carpeted corridors that provide direct access to the restaurant, the rooftop bar ALT, Spa La Vie by L’Occitane, The Tribe fitness centre and more. The spa with its luscious aromatic products and earthy décor will make you forget that a bustling mall is your closest neighbour. The Relaxing Aromachologie Massage is a must-try with a blend of Swedish and Balinese massage techniques and Chinese acupressure to relieve strained muscles. The massage blend with essential oils of Lavender, Tea Tree, Geranium and a hint of Lemon Verbana will keep you fragrant and relaxed long after the charm of retail therapy has waned.