Shangri-La Hotel Bengaluru
BACKGROUND This is the first ShangriLa Hotel to open in the country. It launched in Bengaluru on September 24, 2015.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? It has an opulent feel to it. The capacious lobby has a grand piano on one side, near a cluster of sofa sets arranged around co ee tables. This area is also the lobby lounge, and is dressed in a plush carpet. It exudes colour tones of beige, brown and royal purple. Cylindrical glass chandeliers with etchings add to the brightly lit lobby. Lifts to the rest of the 19 storeys are beside the entrance.
WHERE IS IT? The hotel is located on Palace Road, near Bengaluru’s central business district. Without the city’s infamous tra ic, it is about a 45-minute drive to Kempegowda International Airport.
ROOMS I stayed on the Horizon Club floor, on level 17. Levels 15 and 16 too have this room category. A dedicated Horizon Club reception desk checked me into my Horizon Club room from where I enjoyed unparalleled panoramic views of the city. Exclusive to Club rooms and suites is free access to the Horizon Club Lounge, as well as two hours free use of the meeting room. The lounge o ers an array of beverages throughout the day, free breakfast, and high tea and cocktails in the evenings. Racks provide local newspapers and magazines. A DVD player is also available.
The rooms receive plenty of natural light through a large window that faces the city. The beige, o -white and subtle golden interiors make the guest rooms appear larger than they are (41-49 sqm). They have a sofa seating and work desk facing the window, LED television, tea/ co ee making facilities, minibar, water bottles, shower and free wifi. Except for the Deluxe and Panorama View rooms, all 397 rooms and suites (92-274 sqm) include a bathtub. A DVD player and a selection of DVDs can be requested for. Charging points are conveniently placed by the bedside and beside the work desk.
The beige, o -white and subtle golden interiors make the guest rooms appear larger than they are (41-49 sqm)
FOOD AND DRINK I enjoyed a delectable barbecue meat platter at Shang Palace, Shangri-La’s signature Chinese restaurant. Other dining options include Ssa ron for Indian cuisine, Yataii for Japanese, and Caprese for Mediterranean cuisine (the sea bass preparation is excellent here). In the evening, drinks were at Hype, the rooftop bar – excellent atmosphere with upbeat music and uninterrupted views of the city from its deck. The Lobby Lounge too serves cocktails and snacks. b Café is the all-day, multi-cuisine restaurant at the lobby level with live cooking stations.
MEETINGS The Grand Ballroom on level 1 can accommodate 800 people. Smaller in size, on level 2, Krishna, Kaveri and Kabini can hold 320, 150 and 100 people respectively. Pennar that can be divided into two has a total capacity for 180 delegates. The boardroom has 12 seats. The business centre’s four computers have high-speed Internet access. There is an additional meeting room here.
LEISURE Level 3 is the dedicated wellness floor. It features CHI, The Spa, a gym, an outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, steam bath, sauna and a Jacuzzi. The floor can be likened to an oasis of tranquility.
VERDICT A perfect business hotel in a convenient location. Ravi Lalwani