The Leela Palace Hotel is a stunning property located in the heart of Bangalore city. The city which is bustling with energy, always on the toes and is extremely active. Here lies the Leela Palace, prim and proper, untouched by the chaos and echoing a grand living. Besides the hotel’s convenient location, there are other brilliant factors that make it the most preferred choice for luxury travelers.
Arrival
The simplest way to access the property is via car transfer from Bangalore International Airport. Transfers can be arranged by the property. The sedans are always equipped with welcome baskets that include water, juices, towels, sanitizers and sweets for the guests. There is no compromise in terms of luxury or comfort.
Grand entry
The Leela Palaces are known for their grand entries – evident of style and luxury that comes with immaculate hospitality and attention to detail. The warmth one gets after a long ride simply tends to blur the exhaustion as soon as the car pulls over the porch.
Courteous staff simply entices you with their warm smiles, folded hands and a welcoming gesture as you set foot on the ground.
Reception
We loved how smooth and comfortable our check-in went. As the staff was sorting our luggage, we quickly made our way to the edge of the reception decorated with blooming lilies and roses. Besides the earthy aroma in the reception, we couldn’t take our eyes off the glittering lobby decorated to welcome guests.
Following the great first impression from the doorman and the views, I was truly wowed by the decor. The finishes throughout the property are extremely polished and contemporary. Walking through the reception area I was completely blown away by the stunning views, framed by the gigantic facades. In addition, the glowing lobby and the elegant furniture made this space feel very warm and welcoming.
Wherever the eye lingers, it is met with golden woodcarving, Venetian crystal, ancient frescos, silken tapestries, and colorful marble inlays. Through the 5 meter high windows you can see the green foliage almost entering the lobby.
Of all the luxury hotels in Bangalore, the Leela Palace hotel is the only hotel in the inner city with well manicured gardens. The Leela Palaces are known for vast spread of green cover in their properties as initiated by the Chairman of the Leela group who hails from Kerala. He has established to promote eco-tourism in all the hotels.
Manicured gardens
Throughout the property you come across a vast green cover, with thousands of trees and plants placed ideally to create a cooling effect. a waterfall and a small pond with lilies is created to soothe the eyes and add to the beauty of the surroundings.
Hotel Features
The palace hotel is equipped with a fully functional Bar, 3 restaurants, lounges, meeting room, a gym, a spa, and a rooftop terrace.
There are altogether 10 different categories of rooms and signature suites. Most of them boast original architecture and impressive frescoes, and quite a few of them actually share an impressive view of a beautiful garden and the pool.
Our room was in the next annexe, so we enjoyed a nice long walk across the hallway enjoying well textured walls, vintage carpets and beautiful drapes covering the sunrays. As we approached our annex, we were enthralled to set our eyes on a beautiful setting that reflected a living room – complete with glass mirrors, sofa and fluffy cushions.
The suite Life
We were upgraded to the Royal Deluxe room – a beautiful room on the fourth floor with lot of natural light and magnificent views of the garden.
There was a lovely little sitting area with fresh fruits and sweets displayed. The room was also equipped with a gigantic closet that easily fit in the entire luggage you could possibly bring.
A table and chair with notepad was the best thing for me. There was also a docking station with Bluetooth and sockets. The usual tea, coffee and kettle were also available.
The bathroom reflected the Renaissance palace with huge mirrors, a bathtub and all the amenities you need. Of course, they also had the Leela signature toiletries available that has a very lingering smell.
On a more positive note, I also have to mention that my room was very quiet. I’m not sure I even heard a single noise during my whole stay as there was a wedding happening at the hotel.
Dining
The leela Palace spoils you with an unlimited array of their dining experiences. The Citrus, an all day dining restaurant offers buffet and a-la carte options, while Zen and Jamavar are both specialty restaurants service Japanese and Indian cuisines. The Library bar is well equipped with the finest cocktails and spirits that make the evening special.
Citrus
Located at the lobby level, Citrus has an indoor and fresco dining area where guests enjoy vast spaces and a beautiful view of the manicured gardens while dining.
Breakfast at the Citrus is something that is worth experiencing. From scrumptious salads and fresh juices to delectable starters, the breakfast buffet was something we loved the most. I was also impressed with the variety of dips and hummus. We also relished the steak and eggs, brioche French toast and pancakes. For south Indian foodies, there are options like appams, dosas and uttapams.
Jamavar
The Indian specialty restaurant offers a spectacular dining experience for guests. Subtle lights and huge chandeliers adorn the dining area adding warmth and a welcoming feel to guests. Bright and wide chairs ooze comfort while the dining tables give enough space for a nice meal to enjoy. The tall window ushers in sunlight and view of the gardens.
The intricate cutlery is as spotless as the decor of the place. The menu can be scanned to promote contactless dining thereby ensuring safety for guests.
While we cherish the impeccable hospitality, the servers start serving us with a delicious spread of starters accompanied with buttermilk. A South Indian meal was curated to give an introduction to different flavors of the South.
We relished each starter. Each dish is vocal of its roots and has aromatic flavors that please the palette. Appams and parrotthas are served with dishes like fish curry, cabbage, potatoes. The highlight is their payassam which pleases the taste buds and satisfies the soul. The quality of the cooking was absolutely superb.
Gym and Spa
Leela Palace ensures guests have magical time in enjoying the health facilities too. The gym is extremely well maintained and hygienic. The equipments are cleaned regularly after usage by guests. I loved my yoga mat where I practiced some asanas.
The spa is complete with treatment rooms, a steam and sauna bath, and a Jacuzzi. The massage service is as professional and worth mentioning as the other services of the hotel.
Overall service at the Leela Palace
From the moment we arrived until we departed, there was not a single flaw. The housekeeper kept a beautiful bouquet of flowers for us and a bowl of fresh fruits in our room.
On a fully satisfied note, we depart from the hotel to the airport in their BMW – well equipped with a good driver, basket with water, sanitizers and towels.
Summary
I would sum up my experience with the Leela Hotel as an enriched one as I could feel a homely and comfortable stay inspite of the hotel being booked for a wedding.
