“Welcome to our Palace” is what we were welcomed with as we stepped into the lobby of The Leela Palace Bengaluru. And a look around guaranteed that we had indeed escaped into a regal palace with dramatic grandeur and majestic opulence as far as the eye could see.
The Leela Palace Bengaluru
The Leela brand needs no introduction and The Leela Palace Bengaluru is definitely one of its crowned jewels. Designed as a modern palace, The Leela Palace Bengaluru is a symphony of the grandeur of the erstwhile Vijaynagara Empire and present-day comforts and offers the perfect blissful escape to unwind and experience unparalleled luxury.
The spellbinding architecture makes one feel as if they have truly stepped into a fairy tale and the never-ending warm hospitality makes one feel like royalty.
After our warm welcome in the lobby, our check-in was quick and contactless. The hotel follows the safety and hygiene protocol according to Suraksha by The Leela and it was assuring to see that the covid protocols are being followed very stringently by the staff and guests. After a quick chat, we proceeded towards our suite which was a beautiful surprise.
Our Suite
The Royal Club suite is uber spacious with 1085 sqft of area, having a lavish living room with an attached luxurious bathroom and a lovely relaxing bedroom.
Both the rooms of the suite have balconies that overlook the pool and pretty gardens of the hotel.
We were welcomed with some beautifully crafted premium chocolates and welcome notes that made us feel at home at once. The bed was really inviting and a special mention to the fluffy and comfy pillows that immediately lured my little one for a small nap and some me-time for me.
The gardens and pool
Our lunch was a working lunch at Citrus and I had just started getting a glimpse of the famous Leela hospitality. In the evening, we went for a stroll and explored the poolside and the gardens. It’s a shame that we couldn’t get into the pool as it was closed due to covid protocols but definitely will be back to spend some relaxing time there. They also have a kid’s pool with a fountain and I could imagine how much fun it would be for kids to splash in there.
Citrus
The Leela Palace Bengaluru is famous for its dining experiences promising fine cuisines from India and around the world. We decided to dine at Citrus, their all-day restaurant that boasts a plethora of cuisines.
True to their claim, we were spoilt for choice at the dinner buffet which included an amazing array of dishes from Indian, Asian, Continental and even some exotic cuisines like Egyptian, Jamaican and from New Zealand. After a hearty dinner, we had a peaceful walk admiring the gorgeous hotel structure which was lit up beautifully against the dark night.
The architecture and artwork
The next day we decided to stay in and just relax. After a sumptuous breakfast at Citrus restaurant, while sitting outside overlooking the lush gardens of The Leela Palace Bengaluru, we decided to explore the hotel interiors as the architecture, artwork and paintings from the yesteryears that adorn the spaces of the hotel makes it even more interesting.
The courtyard is a wonder with high arched ornate ceilings, delicately designed walls majestically carved pillars and huge depictions of Yali ( a mythical creature as per Indian mythology that is found in many South Indian temples in Hampi, Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram etc) that draws inspiration from the Royal Palace of Mysore.
A tour through the lobby showed us the portraits of the Wodeyar Princes, beautifully crafted antiques and a grand winding staircase that led to the upper floor which had the conference rooms and meeting halls.
The library bar looked perfect for a chilled-out evening with friends but what impressed me the most were the Victorian-style leather and dark wood interiors which had the old-world charm. The bar also assured of a great collection of single malts and wines.
Zen
For lunch we chose Zen restaurant which was a treat for our eyes as well as tastebuds. The space is uplifting with the blend of sleek chandeliers, symmetrical minimal decor and abundance of natural light pouring in and sets the right note for the aromatic and fresh food that it serves.
It is one of the most sought-after restaurants for Pan Asian cuisine in Bengaluru and specialises in Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Korean cuisines.
We tried a cold crab apetiser, an assorted platter of dimsums including their signature prawn and bamboo-shoot dumplings, an oriental crisp salad and a delicious sushi roll for main course and loved every bite that we had.
Also had a wonderful time chatting with the Chef who explained how every dish is made perfecting its subtle seasonings, aroma and textures.
Evening Ceremonial Ritual
Evenings are vibrant and busy in The Leela Palace Bengaluru and we were lucky to witness the ceremonial ritual of lighting diyas that takes place in the hotel every evening. Four graceful ladies draped in Karnataka’s traditional attire descended the grand staircase offering a tribute to “The Devi” near the staircase as they lit diyas.
The palace lights were then lit up gradually signifying the transition of day into night. A beautiful tradition, yet forgotten by many, this ceremonial ritual was a beauty to witness and was enjoyed by all guests present there.
Jamavar
Our most awaited dining experience was saved for the last. Jamavar, the iconic Indian restaurant of The Leela Palace Bengaluru draws its name from the intricate brocades of Kashmir and offers a gastronomic journey into the rich culinary history of royal Indian dynasties. Dressed in our best, we stepped into the world of Jamavar and had one of the finest evenings ever.
The ambience is dramatically royal with intricate decor adorning the walls and huge golden crystal chandeliers lighting the room. The hand carved screens and the lavish silver table settings add to the glory of the restaurant. Before long we were served our meals that was no short of a royal dinner in itself perfecting the traditional cuisines that were enjoyed by the Maharajas and Nawabs of the past. Based on the Chef’s recommendation, we tried an assorted platter of kebabs that had authentic flavours from different parts of India.
For main course we tried a number of dals, gravies and aromatic biryani but the star of the evening was raan-e-jamavar, their speciality that is prepared by marinating the leg of the lamb in special spices and slow cooking for hours.
Our desserts deserved equal praise as every bite proved to be a burst of wonderful flavors in the mouth. It was a lovely evening that we ended with a small stroll in the garden, admiring the radiantly lit up palace.
Our overall experience
Our breakfast next day was a leisure one and we headed to our suite to pack up. The check out process was smooth and the team bid us goodbye very warmly. I feel the royal treatment that we received during our staycation in The Leela Palace Bengaluru made our city break even more memorable. The special attention that was showered on our little one definitely vouches that its a very kid-friendly hotel. And we highly recommend family staycations there for special occasions, festive celebrations, for blissful escapes when you need to escape the hustle bustle of the city or just want to experience unparalleled luxury and service to treat yourselves.
We were hosted by The Leela Palace Bengaluru for a few days however all views and opinions expressed are mine.
