Vasanthnagar is old-school Bangalore and the address for the city’s latest five-star property, the Shangri-La Bangalore. So we were pleasantly surprised when we drove up to this mammoth structure in steel and glass – a far cry from its no-show neighborhood. The 397-room property towers over the city being the tallest as well as with the largest room inventory in Benguluru today. With practically no other sky-rise buildings around the hotel, the Shangri-la Bengaluru makes the most of its lush and city-central location, with views to die for.
We walked into a wide expanse of a lobby, with its sky-high ceilings adorned with nine cylindrical chandeliers made from Czech crystal and plush, marble surroundings. A quick check-in later, we were escorted to our room boasting of a ‘Bangalore View’, overlooking the glorious Vidhana Soudha – the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka and one of the largest legislative buildings of India and Bengaluru Palace – the city’s most popular tourist attraction. The Palace was built in 1887 by King Chamaraja Wodeyar, of the Wodeyar Hindu dynasty, that ruled the Kingdom of Mysore from 1399 to 1947. On a clear day, you can also see the Nandi Hills or Nandidurg, an ancient hill fortress in the Chikkaballapur district – approximately 60 km from the city of Bengaluru.
I checked-in with a toddler in tow, who was offered a crib in the room. Needless to say, he chose to tuck in with us in the signature ‘Shangri-La Bed’ and the 300-thread count Frette linen. The room was pleasantly spacious, decked in subtle shades of beige and brown and comfortably equipped with all the necessities of a modern hotel room.
When we did manage to tear ourselves away from the window, we headed straight to our large bathrooms, because we love a lavish bathroom! With its cozy marble bath tub, walk-in shower cubicles, separate toilet and impressive in-built wardrobe space, we weren’t disappointed. Keeping their business guests in mind, the rooms offer a comfortable working space with an executive writing desk and yes, free Wifi. There’s also a fully stocked bar, coffee and tea making facilities and a LED television.
For guests checking in the hotel’s Horizon Club rooms, a fully-equipped Horizon Club lounge is available to use 24/7. Horizon Club guests have access to complimentary breakfast at the lounge or at the b.Cafe, complimentary evening cocktails and soft beverages as well as complimentary use of the club’s concierge facilities including use of the meeting rooms (up to 2 hours a day). Ideal for corporate guests, the space offers privacy and all the comfort you need on your working stay.
If eating in privacy may not be your cup of tea, head to b.Cafe, the hotel’s all-day dining for a widespread spread of breakfast, lunch or dinner. The restaurant features an interactive buffet with multiple cooking stations and an alfresco dining deck.
The hotel also houses its signature restaurant, the Shang Palace serving authentic Cantonese and Szechuan cuisines. (read more about our dining experience at Shang Place here.) Having dined at Shang Palace is multiple cities, I can confidently say the restaurant and its famous Crispy Duck, does not disappoint.
During our stay we also had the opportunity to attend the launch of the hotel’s three newer dining offerings, on the 18th floor; Caprese, serving fresh Mediterranean, Ssaffron Indian fine dining and Yataii offering authentic Japanese cuisine. We had the opportunity to sample some of the offerings from each of the restaurants. True to the Mediterranean cuisine, Caprese was all about fresh salads, tapas, a selection of cold cuts and cheese, delicious Mezze platters finished off with some Sangria. At Ssaffron, we got a taste of a selection of veg and non-veg kebabs. The restaurant’s menu features dishes from across the country including Karnataka, Rajasthan, Punjab, Hyderabad, Goa and Kerala. Both Caprese and Ssaffron share a terrace with some stunning views of the city. Yataii was a personal favorite with a generous selection of sushi and sashimi and a Live Teppanyaki counter.
The Lobby Lounge is another popular choice for a quick afternoon tea or the more indianized – Chai ki Thadi which offers mini treats including samosas, sandwich, puff pastry and a selection of cakes and Indian sweets, served with a steaming glass of masala chai. There is also Hype, the hotel’s rooftop bar offering everything from international tapas, funky cocktails, world-class whiskeys, Live music as well as breathtaking views of Namma Bengaluru. If you are staying at the hotel with a child under the age of 6, the hotel offers complimentary buffet meals at b.Cafe and the pool cafes, for up to a maximum of 2 children.
In between all the dining and lounging, there are plenty of ways to relax and rejuvenate at the Shangri-La Bengaluru. You could choose from an invigorating work-out at the hotel’s state-of-the-art gym, or take a dip in the outdoor pool followed by a steam bath, sauna or Jacuzzi or head for some serious pampering at Chi, the Spa. Offering both Ayurvedic and holistic Chinese treatments- which is all about balance of senses, the spa has nine treatment rooms including VIP suites for couples.
With its prime location, extensive meeting facilities and one of the largest ballrooms in the city, the hotel is also popular with MICE and weddings events.
Price for a Bangalore-View room starts at $162 while the premier suites start at $265.
Where : Shangri-La Hotel Bengaluru
No 56-6B Palace Road,
Bengaluru, 560052, India
Tel: (+91 80) 4512 6100
