Place: DELHI
HOTEL: DUSIT DEVARANA
An uber luxury urban resort, the first in its kind in the National Capital Region, is how you are introduced to the hotel. Let’s see if the facts and features impress you. The resort is spread in about eight acres. This vast spread however has just 50 rooms, the average space per room is considerable. All rooms, and there are three categories of each, are sized 650 square feet each. Room amenities include all the clock butler service and iPads to control for all gadgets. There’s a 102 metre pool – that’s more than twice the length of an Olympic size pool, between the blocks set amongst landscapes gardens. There are over a 1,000 trees on the property.
The entrance, though on the National Highway 8, is discreet, so be on a lookout for it. Design fans, start taking mental notes. The Thai colour for royalty, purple starts right here, and is woven into multiple facets of the hotel. You drive into a square, spacious courtyard, where guests are dropped off. Note the walls – besides acting as a sound barrier, their surface is covered with metal ficus leaves, in effect a huge art installation. The architect, the renowned Lek Bunnag, who has also done the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai and Langkawi, the Sofitel So Mauritius and the Oberoi, Bali, besides the Trident, Gurgaon, has chosen to keep the interiors minimalist, creating spaces of serenity.
Wander further, and an imposing door opens to what is referred to as the ‘dome’ building. Though you won’t get a clear line of vision here – intentionally - pause a moment to take in the intricacies of design. Note the boat shaped marble tables, the strikingly hued glass panel, the net and glass topped ceiling, which filters light to reflect the different times of day creating shadow play, the beautiful moon doors, recessed niches and arches set in stone, clover leaf patterns – a motif that goes across the hotel. This area opens to a long pool with hugging greens and a family of friendly ducks!
Dusit Devarana is positioned as a luxury spa destination, says Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group. “We would like to serve the discerning tourist who wishes to enjoy a luxurious residence while in India. The top-end of the corporate sector will love staying here too with our superb location near the airport and excellent, quick access to Gurgaon or important addresses in Delhi.”
The built up area, just 2.6 acres, comes mainly in two blocks. The northern block, besides rooms, which include 11 Grand rooms that open to the pool, providing private access to it, also houses Lah. Though there is no official word on the expense incurred to develop the resort, just the fact that every detail has been minutely debated makes it a delight for the customer. Birgit Holm, General Manager, who has been on the project for the last two and half years, takes pride in pointing out details such as the beautifully carved door handles, moon doors or the bird topped receptacles in all rooms. Staff uniforms have been designed by designer Suneet Varma, and staff to guest ratio is about three and a half.
The outdoor pool is temperature controlled. The marble used is from Greece. Terrazzo has been widely used for surfaces, and there is a fair amount of work in bronze and brass, though largely understated. The design incorporates local motifs as well, as well as those from the past, including the Isfahani pillars in hardwood. All public areas have ceilings that are 25 to 30 feet high, helping to create a spacious feel, adds Jaideep Anand, AGM. The ambience for the property is uniquely serene for a bustling destination such as Delhi, though there are parts where the summer sun maybe a tad too much even for a short walk!
The southern block is fronted by a set of gigantic stone columns inspired by those at Elephanta caves, and open to a restaurant. Dining options include Kiyan, which offers world cuisine, and you will be grateful for leaving that diet behind during your stay, for Executive Sous Chef Nishant Choubey conjures up some magic on the table. There are no buffets, instead chef has opted for set meals delivered out of a no expenses spared fancy kitchen. Attention to detail is evident in each dish, both in presentation and the flavours. Expect charcuterie platters and quinoa! Add the amethyst wall and an exquisite metal tree by product designer John Bowman, and no surprises that this is likely to be the focal point of stays here.
Iah, the bar caters to younger clientele, offering trendy mixology options, boutique brewery beers and new age wines. An added destination will be Kai, the Mayfair London based Michelin starred restaurant serving Chinese cuisine. It is expected to open later this year. It’s going to be in an outdoor luxury tent next to the southern block.
With the Thai tradition to excellence to uphold for its spa, the azure and silver Mughal design themed Devarana Spa also has a lot riding on it. There is a block for meetings and conferences, though the hotel is quick to admit it will only be able to host up to a hundred or so people, ruling out the mega Indian wedding. A more intimate social function or top end corporate meeting is more the target.
Room interiors are as noteworthy - the designers have certainly pushed the envelope: many rooms feature a bathtub directly adjacent to the couch and the French windows, the day beds are enticing, the amenities are from Asprey’s Purple Line, the washbasins appear more like oversized flower vases.
The hotel has been about four years in the making, and is opening with a delay of about a year, less than average compared to hospitality projects in the country. Room rates for Dusit Devarana compete with the top end local hotels, though serving a very different clientele. Hospitality experts feel the hotel could set new benchmarks for urban resorts in India, though the current slowdown in the economy could impact its initial occupancy and room rates.
An uber luxury urban resort, the first in its kind in the National Capital Region, is how you are introduced to the hotel. Let’s see if the facts and features impress you. The resort is spread in about eight acres. This vast spread however has just 50 rooms, the average space per room is considerable. All rooms, and there are three categories of each, are sized 650 square feet each. Room amenities include all the clock butler service and iPads to control for all gadgets. There’s a 102 metre pool – that’s more than twice the length of an Olympic size pool, between the blocks set amongst landscapes gardens. There are over a 1,000 trees on the property.
The entrance, though on the National Highway 8, is discreet, so be on a lookout for it. Design fans, start taking mental notes. The Thai colour for royalty, purple starts right here, and is woven into multiple facets of the hotel. You drive into a square, spacious courtyard, where guests are dropped off. Note the walls – besides acting as a sound barrier, their surface is covered with metal ficus leaves, in effect a huge art installation. The architect, the renowned Lek Bunnag, who has also done the Four Seasons Resort in Chiang Mai and Langkawi, the Sofitel So Mauritius and the Oberoi, Bali, besides the Trident, Gurgaon, has chosen to keep the interiors minimalist, creating spaces of serenity.
Dusit Devarana is positioned as a luxury spa destination, says Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group. “We would like to serve the discerning tourist who wishes to enjoy a luxurious residence while in India. The top-end of the corporate sector will love staying here too with our superb location near the airport and excellent, quick access to Gurgaon or important addresses in Delhi.”
The built up area, just 2.6 acres, comes mainly in two blocks. The northern block, besides rooms, which include 11 Grand rooms that open to the pool, providing private access to it, also houses Lah. Though there is no official word on the expense incurred to develop the resort, just the fact that every detail has been minutely debated makes it a delight for the customer. Birgit Holm, General Manager, who has been on the project for the last two and half years, takes pride in pointing out details such as the beautifully carved door handles, moon doors or the bird topped receptacles in all rooms. Staff uniforms have been designed by designer Suneet Varma, and staff to guest ratio is about three and a half.
The outdoor pool is temperature controlled. The marble used is from Greece. Terrazzo has been widely used for surfaces, and there is a fair amount of work in bronze and brass, though largely understated. The design incorporates local motifs as well, as well as those from the past, including the Isfahani pillars in hardwood. All public areas have ceilings that are 25 to 30 feet high, helping to create a spacious feel, adds Jaideep Anand, AGM. The ambience for the property is uniquely serene for a bustling destination such as Delhi, though there are parts where the summer sun maybe a tad too much even for a short walk!
The southern block is fronted by a set of gigantic stone columns inspired by those at Elephanta caves, and open to a restaurant. Dining options include Kiyan, which offers world cuisine, and you will be grateful for leaving that diet behind during your stay, for Executive Sous Chef Nishant Choubey conjures up some magic on the table. There are no buffets, instead chef has opted for set meals delivered out of a no expenses spared fancy kitchen. Attention to detail is evident in each dish, both in presentation and the flavours. Expect charcuterie platters and quinoa! Add the amethyst wall and an exquisite metal tree by product designer John Bowman, and no surprises that this is likely to be the focal point of stays here.
Iah, the bar caters to younger clientele, offering trendy mixology options, boutique brewery beers and new age wines. An added destination will be Kai, the Mayfair London based Michelin starred restaurant serving Chinese cuisine. It is expected to open later this year. It’s going to be in an outdoor luxury tent next to the southern block.
With the Thai tradition to excellence to uphold for its spa, the azure and silver Mughal design themed Devarana Spa also has a lot riding on it. There is a block for meetings and conferences, though the hotel is quick to admit it will only be able to host up to a hundred or so people, ruling out the mega Indian wedding. A more intimate social function or top end corporate meeting is more the target.
Room interiors are as noteworthy - the designers have certainly pushed the envelope: many rooms feature a bathtub directly adjacent to the couch and the French windows, the day beds are enticing, the amenities are from Asprey’s Purple Line, the washbasins appear more like oversized flower vases.
The hotel has been about four years in the making, and is opening with a delay of about a year, less than average compared to hospitality projects in the country. Room rates for Dusit Devarana compete with the top end local hotels, though serving a very different clientele. Hospitality experts feel the hotel could set new benchmarks for urban resorts in India, though the current slowdown in the economy could impact its initial occupancy and room rates.
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