Glam Buisness!

The Trident Bandra Kurla is Mumbai’s newest and glitziest five star business hotel. By Raul Dias


It’s only 11 in the morning and already ultra-potent visions of a tall flute of champagne topped with a million tiny bubbles instantly occupy my mind as I step into the rather diminutive but opulent lobby of the mint-fresh Trident, Bandra Kurla, Mumbai. The reason for this mirage is the stunning bubble chandelier that is suspended languidly from the atrium’s ceiling. Almost fluid in appearance, this delicate glass ‘confection’ sets the tone for this über-glamorous business hotel that made its grand debut in December last year. Glamour and business—two disparate words one normally shies away from stringing together in one sentence, yet the Trident, Bandra Kurla personifies both to great effect. Right from the Botticino marble floors to the intricately carved latticed jali screen that forms one wall of the lobby, this place is jazzed up to shine the brightest. And it does... Offering some of the best facilities for the business traveler, the hotel’s Trident Meetings wing on the third level comprises six meeting rooms, four boardrooms and six web-enabled computer workstations, besides a well-appointed library.

As I check into my deluxe suite, I am instantly enveloped into a space that is both sophisticated and soothing at the same time. The décor of my suite is a refreshing play of a white oak floor, dark walnut furniture, brushed chrome light fixtures and elements of furnishings in vibrant shades of red. But the piece de resistance is undoubtedly the gargantuan glass walled bathroom replete with double vanity counters, a separate shower cubicle liberally scattered with decadent bath amenities from Crabtree & Evelyn, a stand-alone bath tub with... get this, an LCD television mounted right above it!

Lunch at the all-day dining restaurant 022 (pronounced Oh Two Two) is a lesson in Zen simplicity as I sit by the sushi bar trying to conceal my manic gusto as I dine on an assortment of expertly prepared sushi with warm miso soup and edemame as accompaniments. The perfectly circular restaurant itself complements the fare it dishes out; in the sense that it is minimalist and non-fussy in its 360˚ interior design that overlooks a lush garden on its west side.

Since I’d already bitten into the forbidden fruit called pampering, I decide to indulge a bit further and book myself an invigorating 75 minute Abhyanga massage at the Trident Spa—the hotel’s sanctuary of calm nestled among a thicket of shrubbery and adjacent to the well-equipped fitness centre with the 32 meters long outdoor infinity swimming pool in front. Kitted out in muted, restful colours, the spa encompasses six therapy rooms and two therapy suites. The extensive spa menu includes therapies, massages and beauty treatments that combine ancient Asian traditions with contemporary international influences. In addition to the popular Ayurvedic, Balinese and Thai massages, the menu offers an innovative Hot Lava Shell massage that I promised to treat myself to later whenever I check into the hotel again.

Having being ‘tipped off’ by Zakia Kazi, the hotel’s super efficient Assistant Communications Manager to try out the hotel’s one-of-its-kind room service; I did just that and was I in for a treat or what? No boring old standard room service tray for me, the room service attendant rolled into my room a spiffy table for one with all the trappings of a ‘proper’ restaurant table replete with china, fresh flowers, salt-n-pepper shakers et al. But the crowning glory was the nifty little oven attached to the table from where he proffered my tenderloin steak done just the way I wanted it in all its medium rare glory. And he even went on to construct my passion fruit iced tea in front of my eyes expertly mixing the various ingredients with the precession of a chemist in a lab!

Later that night as I tucked into my seared foie gras with garoupa fish in an asparagus sauce at the hotel’s Italian fine dining temple—Botticino which gets its name form the marble extensively used all over the hotel, I smiled a contented smile. And no, it wasn’t just the grappa and apple cocktail that did the trick. It was a lethal mix of another kind where luxury, comfort and class intermingle in a setting that typifies the good life of the hi-flier.



Factfile

Location: C-56, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai 400 098

Accomodation: 199 Deluxe Rooms, 136 Premier Rooms, 77 Trident Club Rooms, 10 Deluxe Suites, 11 Trident Club Suites, 2 Premier Suites, 1 Presidential Suite

Contact: +91 22 6672 7777, www.tridenthotels.com

(First published in India Today Travel Plus)