Venetian Surprise

The Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida nails old-world luxury like no other urban property with its exquisite Privé Collection rooms and suites. Shikha Pushpan checks in for a lavish stay.

FOR YEARS, RADISSON BLU MBD Hotel, Noida was just another business hotel for me, until I had an opportunity to stay in one of its gorgeous suites in the new Privé Collection. Designed along the lines of Venetian and French decorative theme, the suites exude a regal aura with Victorian chandeliers, dreamy drapes, and generous touches of velvet. The neoclassical design follows through the corridor right up to the vanity corner in the rooms, transporting you into lavishly appointed living spaces of a colonial bungalow. My Venetian dreams were realised right in the heart of a bustling metropolis.

While the carefully coordinated colour schemes, bed canopies with footstools, rococoinspired ceilings, and antique furniture do make you feel special, it’s the private butler service that sweeps you off your feet. Prince Bhati, my butler, knew just when I needed to be pampered with crème brûlée and the perfect pairings for my favourite Pinot Noir. The intuitive service at the property is one of the best in the class. For instance, when I wanted to call it a day, a turned

down bed and chocolates by its side awaited me in my room, along with a hand cream and lip moisturiser. For those who like to enjoy their nightcap, the Privé Lounge is exclusively open to guests staying at the rooms of the Privé Collection and offers a selection of canapés to go with your favourite cocktail. Or, borrow a book from the well-stocked library if it’s the musty scent of old pages that puts you to sleep.

The hotel extends its Victorian theme to the recently refurbished all-day brasserie SXVIII (pronounced S18). Floor-to-ceiling windows offer uninterrupted views of the manicured gardens outside, while antique artefacts, and ornate ceilings overlook sumptuous buffet tables serving everything from sushi to tortellini. I liked the fennel- and saffron-infused seafood soup, tuna niçoise, and oven-roasted sea bass. Made in India, the Indian restaurant on the first floor, features a striking astronomyinspired ceiling and offers private Maharaja and Maharani quarters for a private dining experience. The place pays special attention to presentation—for instance, sultani seekh (seekh kebabs) was served on a sword! We reserved the pan-Asian restaurant, R.E.D. (Rare Eastern Dining), for the evening. As I had a hard time choosing between chá li wasabi cha tou and prawn sui mui for starters, the Singaporean head chef Raymond Sim took charge and rolled out some signature dishes, such as salmon and cheese pillow, scallops served with red radish and home-made salsa; tuna tartare with chilli teriyaki and capelin fish roe, and torched salmon steak. I rounded off the experience with a spring-roll ice cream (deep-fried spring rolls filled with lychee ice cream and served with fresh fruits), and went home content.

The next morning, when it was time to check out of the property, I couldn’t help but look back at the colonial paintings that shared space with antique brass wall scones, the upholstered arm chair, which made one feel comfortable to a fault, and the ornate chandeliers that watched over me from baroque ceilings, and feel a wistful yearning to create something similar back home.

The corridor follows French and Victorian colour schemes. Below: The ornate lobby at Radisson Blu MBD Hotel, Noida.

Clockwise, from above: SXVIII, the all-day dining restaurant, features floor-toceiling windows; the drawing room of a Privé Collection Suite; a four-poster bed is the key feature of the Privé Collection guest room.