TRIED & TESTED HOTEL Conrad Bengaluru; Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa Nashik and; Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers’ restaurants

Conrad Bengaluru

BACKGROUND Conrad Bengaluru opened in 2018, and is the second property to be established by the Hilton group in India. The hotel rises 24 storeys above the city’s central business district, and boasts fantastic views of Ulsoor Lake.

WHAT’S IT LIKE Conrad Bengaluru welcomes its guests with its stylish and comfort-driven environment. The hotel’s spectacular high-rise glass facade makes it di icult to miss, even in Bengaluru’s bustling cityscape. The hotel caters to the wants and needs of every traveller, with exceptional dining options, great service, and well-furnished event spaces.

WHERE IS IT Nestled in the heart of the Central Business District, Conrad Bengaluru is at a prime location, a short distance from the city centre. The hotel is in close proximity to the business, art, and entertainment hubs of the city, right from the Embassy Golf Links Business Park, Bagmane Tech Park, Cubbon Park, to Bengaluru Palace and Commercial Street.

ROOMS The hotel o ers 285 rooms and suites, each with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame spectacular views of Ulsoor Lake. The hotel o ers a variety of options to stay, with 15 Executive Suites, five Deluxe Suites, 43 Executive Rooms, and one Presidential Suite, among others. The Executive rooms and suites o er exclusive access to the lounge and include amenities like bu et breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails.

I stayed in the Executive Suite, which sprawled over 69 sqm and had panoramic views of the lake. Each room of the suite, including the bathroom, had an HD LED TV set installed. Other amenities included an in-room safe, a tea and co ee maker, and a walk-in shower with a bath tub.

FOOD AND DRINK Conrad Bengaluru is the home of five dining locales, with each o ering its signature cuisine. Guests can take their taste buds on a gastronomic journey through Asia, Italy, and the Americas at Carraway Kitchen, the hotel’s multi-cuisine restaurant. Indian Durbar provides a taste of the royal treatment with exotic curries and tandoor specialties on the backdrop of intricate jali work decor.

I had a simple but satisfying breakfast at the Club Lounge, which consisted of avocado on sourdough bread, a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice, and a cup of cappuccino. In the evening, I sipped on a glass of red wine accompanied with delicious starters at the lounge. On the first night, I had dinner at Mikusu, the hotel’s Pan-Asian restaurant. Restaurant Tiamo was, in my opinion, one of the best rooftop restaurants I have ever visited. Dining on Mediterranean fare under the open skies provided a soothing ambience in the balmy evenings.

MEETINGS: With a pillar-free Grand Ballroom, a junior ballroom, a private foyer, six meeting rooms, and a boardroom, the Conrad Bengaluru is well-equipped to conduct lavish events and meetings over 1969 sqm space, all upon the backdrop of the Ulsoor Lake. The hotel’s professional planners assist in selecting themes, decor, and catering menus for the events. The hotel is up-to-date with modern A/V technology to provide a seamless meeting experience.

LEISURE: The hotel’s Conrad Spa is ideal for unwinding after a long day. The spa has five treatment rooms, including one for couples’ massages, along with a sauna, and steam facilities. Take a dip in the outdoor temperature-controlled swimming pool, or grab a quick workout at the hotel’s 24 hour fitness centre.

VERDICT: With a well-connected location, extensive F&B outlets, good service, tasteful decor, and well-equipped meeting rooms, the Conrad Bengaluru blends luxury with utility to cater to the needs of business and leisure travellers.

BEST FOR Panoramic views of Ulsoor Lake

DON’T MISS Authentic Japanese, Chinese and Thai cuisine at Mikusu

PRICE Upwards of ₹12,000 for a King Deluxe Room

CONTACT Conrad Bengaluru, 25/3, Kensington Rd, Halasuru, Someshwarpura, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560008; hilton.com

Nestled in the heart of the Central Business District, Conrad Bengaluru is at a prime location

Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Nashik

BEST FOR its views

DON’T MISS A meal at The Tuscan Room

PRICE Internet rates are upwards of ₹5490

CONTACT 289/2 Pathardi Phata, Nashik, Maharashtra, 422010, India radissonhotels.com

BACKGROUND The Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Nashik is located at the gateway into Nashik city and is a stone's throw away from the Mumbai Nashik highway. The luxury property features 224 elegantly designed rooms, including 18 suites with private balconies. Furthermore, there is over 4,500 sqm of versatile event space which makes it ideal for a wide range of meetings and events amidst a scenic location.

WHAT’S IT LIKE As you enter the lobby you are transported into a world of opulence as the art deco inspired interiors exude an aura of luxury. However, there is also a certain feeling of warmth that encapsulates the "home away from home" feeling well. The hotel boasts of unparalleled views of the lush green mountains and untouched scenery.

WHERE IS IT The hotel is a 30 minute drive from Nashik airport and a two and a half hour drive from Mumbai. This well designed, urban resort is also in close proximity to key cities such as Pune and Surat as it is approximately a five hour drive from both cities.

ROOMS I stayed in the Deluxe Room which overlooked the scenic mountain range. The room was well-appointed and my favourite feature in particular was the desk which allowed me to work comfortably from my room. There are five categories of rooms ranging from the Superior Room with Hill View to the Premium Suite. The design and décor of the rooms represent understated elegance and bespoke luxury which is inspired by regional influences.

FOOD AND DRINK There are a vast range of culinary experiences available at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Nashik. Their F & B o erings range from The Smoked Vine, which features a bold variety of cuisines from around the world, including Asian woks, Robatayaki grills, Vinewood fired pizzas, Western and Indian cuisine, to The Tuscan Room. The Tuscan Room is where I relished a delicious lunch featuring classic Italian dishes, crafted with the finest produce imported from Italy and local markets. A dish I thoroughly enjoyed was the spinach and ricotta ravioli which was doused in a beautiful, tangy tomato sauce. Another treat you can't miss, are the chocolate chip cookies from their Parisian inspired- Le Bistro. Le Bistro also makes for the perfect, casual workspace as the café overlooks a stunning landscaped courtyard.

MEETINGS The hotel features over 4,500 sqm of stylish and flexible space for all kinds of events, from business meetings and conferences to birthdays and weddings. Charming outdoor terraces, sun-drenched meeting areas, large, lush lawns, private dining rooms, and pillar-free ballrooms are a few of the myriad of options available.

LEISURE One can unwind at Atman, The Spa. The rejuvenating spa o ers guests a holistic mind and body wellness experience. The well-trained and talented therapists know that a one-size-fits-all sensory experience is not the right approach. They have refined their focus to incorporate unique, interactive elements into a sensory experience. If you wish to indulge in a workout, the hotel's fitness centre, Gymkhana, spanning across 280 sqm, is ideal as it boasts of world-class machines and gym equipment.

VERDICT The Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Nashik is an ideal hotel for leisure and business travellers alike. The scenery surrounding the hotel creates an aura of tranquillity which allows one to be close to nature whilst being cocooned by luxury. Anithya Balachandran

As you enter the lobby you are transported into a world of opulence as the art deco inspired interiors exude an aura of luxury

Sole at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers

With an eclectic blend of modern and traditional Italian cuisine, Sole is the ideal place to discover authentic Italian dining in the heart of Abu Dhabi. The experience for diners is enhanced with an Italian ambiance and al fresco dining. In the beginning of my meal, I was served some freshly-baked Italian bread, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with aromatic black pepper. I had delicious fried calamari as an appetiser. The grilled sea bass that I

Sole is the ideal place ordered for the main course to discover authentic was absolutely mouth-watering

Italian dining in the and tasted very fresh. It was accompanied with cipollini heart of Abu Dhabi onion salsa and celeriac purée. Tori No Su is an award-winning fine dining restaurant that is a must-visit for those who want an authentic taste of Japan. The elaborate dishes are prepared by chefs trained to The shaved bottarga garnish tied the whole dish together, while the cherry tomatoes and green olives lent it a pop of colour. A dessert of light vanilla mascarpone and savoiardi biscotti with HOURS Monday-Saturday: 1200 to 1500, 1900 to 2300

PRICE Approximately ₹11,500 for two people

CONTACT Sole, Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Road - Al Bateen - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates hilton.com

a punch of espresso was a wonderful epilogue to my meal.

VERDICT A meal at Sole is guaranteed to transport your taste buds to the heart of Italy. Ravi Lalwani

Tori No Su at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers

create a masterful symphony of flavours with seasonal ingredients. Innovative dishes are served at the sushi bar and the teppanyaki grill station. The contemporary, low-lit interiors set a relaxing mood. For starters, I indulged in California Maki rolls, accompanied by a refreshing glass of Kirin, a Japanese tap beer. The colourful combination of cucumber, avocado and crab cocooned in rice, burst with fresh flavours. The main course of GLS Tokyo Mixed Seafood was seasoned with hints of garlic, sharp notes of spices, and was balanced out by the citrus punch of lemon. I concluded my hearty meal with matcha Tiramisu, prepared with mascarpone cream cheese, biscotti, flavoured with matcha.

VERDICT A meal at Tori No Su is an unforgettable gastronomical adventure. Ravi Lalwani

HOURS Wednesday-Sunday 1830 to 2300

PRICE Approximately ₹11,800 for two people

CONTACT Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, Corniche Road, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates hilton.com

The elaborate dishes are prepared by chefs trained to create a masterful symphony of avours

BTI SHOWCASE

Starry Night by Vaibhav Nadgaonkar

As a full-time photographer Vaibhav is always on the lookout for an interesting frame. Shot at Suryamal, near Wada, Maharashtra, Vaibhav went through an intricate process to obtain this image. He clicked approximately 100 frames in the interval of 30 seconds. An avid photographer, Vaibhav captured this image on his Nikon D750 using the Nikon Lens 24 mm to 120mm. “I feel that photographs enhance the way you look at certain sceneries. Looking at the night sky lit up with stars is beautiful in its own right, but when you capture the image a certain way and use the power of technology to better it, that’s when you can see beyond what meets the naked eye.”