As we turned around the curb into the hotel’s premises, we saw a reflection of luxury, opulence and special care that speaks of its prestigious management under Hilton Worldwide. If you’re landing here from the airport then you will be treated to its highly-spoken of chauffeur service. The staff is warm and welcoming as they greet you and lead you up to one of the 310 luxurious guest rooms, including twenty suites. We booked two kinds of rooms, namely the One-bedroom Premier Suite and the King Premier Room. What impressed me was the size of the rooms, as they were bigger than any hotel room in Mumbai that fell within this category. The décor was tasteful and offered all modern amenities you could expect from a Conrad property.
Having an evening together planned, we ensured that both rooms were interconnected with one another. This gave me an insight into the incredible amenities in both rooms. From a television in the bathroom to an elaborate pillow menu, we were spoilt in every corner of the room. My senior parents loved the security features and the 24-hour housekeeping facilities while the younger ones in our lot made the most of the entertainment options, which included two 40-inch+ television sets, MP3 playback connectivity, high-speed internet access, and the well-stocked minibar.
After a quick siesta, we stepped out of the comfort of our rooms to explore the hotel. The reception informed us of Conrad’s 3-hour Experience package. The itinerary excited me because even after several trips to Pune over the years, I never had the opportunity to explore some historical sites. We saw the famous Shiva Temple of Pune that is located in the Pataleshwar Caves, then on to Shaniwar Wada that told the tales of the Peshwas of Maharashtra, and finally, the Dagadusheth Halwai Temple that is dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
A day around the city can tire you, even if you’re put up in the cozy confines of a property like the Conrad. But then again, we’re in the Conrad, so why not delve into the comforts of the spa, we thought. And we did. The massive 5,000 square foot spa had a fitness center and pool nearby. Diamond Members at the Conrad can avail of exclusive benefits here and if you’re a regular at the Conrad, then that’s something you wouldn’t want to miss out on. My wife enjoyed the Marine Flora Face Therapy, while I settled for the Lava Shell Massage that has a reputation that precedes it.
For dinner, we headed to the Koji in The Conrad. Don’t get tricked by the Japanese name of the restaurant as it serves an entire spread that is inspired by flavors from across Asia. The spicy lotus root crisp was my pick. The next day we enjoyed a sumptuous Mediterranean breakfast at the Coriander Kitchen and settled for dinner at the Zeera where we were astounded by the fine wine collection.
As we strapped ourselves into our car after checking out we realized the importance of family time and appreciated the connection that the Conrad sparked among all of us, as it bid us goodbye from my rearview mirror.
Where – Conrad Pune,
7, Mangaldas Rd, Sangamvadi, Pune,
Maharashtra 411001
Note – A one bedroom suite costs approximately Rs 25,000\- per night at the Conrad Pune. We were hosted by the property but all the views expressed herewith are my own.
A special thanks to Mercedes Benz India for the ultra-luxurious S Class which was our ride from Mumbai to Pune and back.
