Staying at home without traveling during covid times was taking a toll on all of us. The last few months, with things getting back to the new normal we decided to opt for another staycation within Bangalore during the holiday season. And just in time, we were invited by Radisson Bengaluru City Center in Ulsoor for a staycation to experience their campaign #Radissoncares. This recently launched campaign aims to deliver Radisson’s hallmark ‘Yes I Can!’ service philosophy to guests to make them feel safe and at home during pandemic times.
With the long weekend in sight, I was looking for a luxurious and relaxing break at Radisson Bengaluru City Center but what I had not expected was to feel that I was on a road trip and had escaped away from the hustle-bustle of Bengaluru. With stunning panoramic views of Ulsoor lake and the green cover from the room and the rooftop, it hardly felt that we were in the city. Interestingly, the hotel building has been designed like a ship pointing towards the lake. Infact, one of the first thing that you may notice as you enter the hotel are two figurines on the side of the building, one climbing up and the other ready to dive in from the top.
As we entered the hotel, our baggage was screened and thoroughly sanitised. The lobby looks really neat and chic with covid guidelines displayed and social distancing marks on the floor. The staff takes care to maintain social distancing and is equipped with masks and gloves to ensure maximum protection in the new normal. We had a quick and contactless check-in during which our temperature was monitored and we had to declare our health status in the provided forms. The lobby space extends into a beautiful and cozy space that has been designed artistically that is perfectly Instagram-worthy.
All rooms in Radisson Bengaluru City Center are sanitised before you check-in, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well this hotel had adopted technology for the comfort of their guests. You can control everything from lights to curtains from your smart bedside control panel. You also get a tab that has a lot of info about the hotel and can be used to order room service, book spa appointments and other facilities at Radisson Bengaluru City Center.
The best rooms in Radisson Bengaluru City Center are the suite rooms that overlook the lake and are best suitable for a romantic stay or a solo time off. The suite has a jacuzzi installed within the room and the setting oozes luxury. Add up some spa time at Bodhi Spa that is located next door to the suites and you are guaranteed some serious relaxation.
The other category of rooms are all similar in their space and facilities, differing just in the views they offer. All rooms are quite spacious with a very comfortable king-sized bed, a flat-screen TV, a study table, a couch, a mini-fridge, provision to make tea and coffee and everything else that you would need for a hotel stay. The bathrooms are well maintained with all amenities expected in a luxurious hotel.
Radisson Bengaluru City Center also has all the needed business amenities needed for business travel. From board rooms to conference halls to the business center, they’ve got it all. They also have cool spaces for office parties or formal gatherings. But if you are looking for a place to hang out with friends or a family gathering, there isn’t a better place than their rooftop terrace which has a swimming pool and is laced with fountains.
We had our Sunday lunch, poolside at the rooftop terrace and it was an astounding dining experience amidst the panoramic views of Ulsoor Lake with amazing food from SLO FOOD Co2 restaurant. Luckily, the weather was just right and we almost had the whole terrace to ourselves. So while the little one was busy running around we found some couple-time for us.
Another amazing thing about Radisson Bengaluru City Center is their restaurant that is one of its kind. I was intrigued to know that SLO Food Co is Bengaluru’s first restaurant to practice the art of slow food, recreating age-old recipes using locally sourced ingredients from local farming communities. The menu is really interesting with dishes that use slow food cooking techniques like sous vide, crack pot, dhum pukht etc to ensure the food is healthy, nutritious and delicious.
Chef Palwinder, the head chef at Radisson Bengaluru City Center is passionate about not just What’s more is that all the ingredients are organic and are locally sourced from the local farming community. The recipes on the menu have a special emphasis on local millets and honey as part of their contribution to the Slow food contributions and sustainable food movements. his preparations but also about the stories behind the food. So every dish served came with a serving of storytelling that elevated our dining experience to another level. We got a chance to experience some amazing dishes prepared using age-old recipes from different cuisines like Indian, Mughlai, oriental and continental.
Our lunch on day one started with the organic Peach-infused watermelon and fetta salad on a chilled 3000-year-old pink Himalayan salt brick and Kumbalakayi Tenginakayi soup (a local delicacy prepared with yellow pumpkin and coconut cream). Next came the appetizers, a pathani dish from Patohar region in Pakistan called Bharwan Aloo Patohar prepared using three slow cooking techniques. This was followed by the Silbatta kebab tacos, a fusion twist to Galouti kebab which is prepared by cooking mutton with flavoring ingredients in a handi for 17 hours and then grinding it in a silbatta.
Our main course dishes consisted of dal makhani with Amritsari kulche, Rampuri bharwan paneer on smoked sandalwood gravy and Bijapur chicken drumsticks served with warshi mughlai paratha. And to top it off, we were served Bibinca and mango cardamom creme brulee which proved to be the perfect finish to our epic lunch experience.
For dinner, we opted for room service and tried some well prepared oriental dishes from their in-room dining menu. Even though the in-room dining menu has limited options as compared to the restaurant menu, it is perfect if you are planning to stay in for a quiet meal. I was quite impressed by how they brought the food to the room keeping in mind safety and hygiene protocols.
The next morning, we opted for breakfast in bed and were delighted by their continental breakfast range that didn’t make me miss the usual breakfast buffet at all. Again the presentation and preparation of all the dishes was really good and everything tasted delicious.
The star food experience of our stay was the rooftop lunch that we had amidst the beautiful views of the surrounding Ulsoor Lake. It was a cloudy day with a cold breeze and the vibrantly colored slow-roasted tomato soup was the perfect way to start our lunch. Our salad consisted of sous vide king prawns, organic chicken and mango in apple cider dressing that was the perfect balance of flavors. For main course, we were served Agri chicken with parsnip and celery mash, Pocket fish with tomato and cheese ravioli and a hearty chicken burger for the little one.
The food was delicious and what added to the experience was the slow cooking healthy techniques that were used that doesn’t make you bloat up. Following this, we were served Gulabjamun rasmalai Tiramisu and badam and fig halwa and fusion twist to one of my favorites desserts, Tiramisu was really well done and is highly recommended.
The breakfast buffet served by Radisson Bengaluru City Center in current times is one of the most well-managed buffets that I have experienced in current times. There is a lot of variety and the staff takes utmost care to make it a safe dining experience for the guests. I loved the chole bhature, paranthas and pav bhaji, while my husband loved the continental section and my son loved the south indian dishes. So all in all the food at Radisson Bengaluru City Center does impress everyone.
Our overall experience at Radisson Bengaluru City Center was wonderful and very safe. A huge thanks to Team Radisson Bengaluru City Center for making our stay really comfortable and pampering us. They also follow the highest safety measures in form of a 20-step safety protocol powered by SGS and #RadissonCares. And having stayed there with family and experiencing it first hand, I highly recommend Radisson Bengaluru City Center for a staycation.
We were hosted by Radisson Bengaluru City Center however all views and opinions expressed are mine.
