The Crown Jewel of the Nandi Hills

By Anirban Dasgupta

Today’s “Silicon Valley of India” is an epithet no less evocative and captivating than the city mentioned in the mythical story of the King Veera Ballala of the 12th century, which ultimately came to be known as  ‘Benda – Kal – Ooru’ (the land of cooked beans), that changed to Bengaluru over time. The city is vibrant, classy, traditional and at the same time splendorous. Watching through the glass walls, the golden ball slowly diminishing over the horizon as I sip my filter coffee at The Aviary, along with some Gelatos and Nutella pizza, I could not think of any other Five-star luxury that is so much in synch with the character of a city.

This was my first day at this gorgeous property. Right from the moment we stepped into the lounge and the smiling staff greeted us with cordial geniality and care, warm vibes and a sense of cosy comfort stay with us throughout our stay in this luxurious property -JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa.

The 275-acre JW Marriott property is flanked with the award-winning Prestige Golfshire course and opulent residential development. Its rolling greens are a part of the brand’s goal to help guests focus on sensing wholesome feelings in the mind. Located at the heart of the city and yet maintaining a spirit of seclusion, privacy and freshness is nothing less than magical for the guests. True to its brand image, the JW Marriott Hotel Bengaluru is a model of inherent sophistication balanced with an elegance that redefines luxury. 

The interiors and design of the property are an unmatched experience in themselves.  Exquisite luxury balanced with aesthetic elegance soothes at once the mind and soul. Each of the 281 suites or guest rooms is so skillfully designed to make the guests feel relaxed and rejuvenated. 

Experiences To Treasure 

For me, experiences and special moments always take priority before grandeur. One of the many reasons that have rewarded JW Marriott Bengaluru with multiple crowns in the Hospitality industry is its experiential services like Spa, Mediation and Yoga facilities for the guests. The trained professionals at the center welcome visitors to concentrate on feeling introspective exercise of mind nourished in body and revived in spirit. The spa treatments from Biologique Recherche are provided by this hotel, which is the only one in India to provide such services.  Its modern design, eye-catching landscaping, free morning yoga classes, and cutting-edge fitness center – all combine to provide the ideal environment for fostering a feeling of contentment.  Therapeutic treatments at Spa by JW did revitalise my body and soul in a way much more than what I could expect. After a replenishment spa session, it was time for me to hit the pool. The outdoor pool had a mystical effect to relax your body and at the same time rekindle tired muscles. Sipping on my favourite drink by the lagoon pool is one of those experiences that redefine the essence of a royal holiday. I did ofcourse skip the cutting-edge fitness facility, though rather tempted, finally, let laziness win the battle of desire. 

Culinary Journey

True to its promise to carefully choose dining options to have something to please everyone, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa has everything from Awadhi Cuisine at Aaleeshan, Western Indian and Asian at Aviary, BOULANGERIE & DELICATESSEN at Truffle and Co. to very interesting and my favourite Vista where I enjoyed the signature tea blend and fresh and organic pastries. Over my two-day stay at this stunning hospitality being the foodie that I am, I have thoroughly enjoyed FRESHLY BAKED PASTRIES AND bread, HARD SELTZER, DAL-e-AALEESHAAN & RAAN-e-AALEESHAAN curated by Chef RIYAZ QURESHI. Besides the mouthwatering delicacies, one can not but miss the genuine warmth and friendliness of all the staff while serving the guests. I Cant wait to make my plan again to see myself indulging in those heavenly scents and flavours surrounded by quiet and yet an unmatched aristocratic comfort. Satisfied and quite full, I retired to my room calling it a day, ill at ease. 

RESTAURANTS 

Aaleeshan: Magnificent Awadhi dining. Indulge in heirloom recipes of kebabs, curries and bespoke biryani. East Progressive Asian cuisine showcasing Korean, Japanese & Cantonese delicacies. Private dining rooms add to the exclusivity of the restaurant. 

The Aviary: Take in the natural surroundings of our resort while enjoying a sumptuous buffet breakfast or lunch and dinner à la carte. The Aviary serves authentic international dishes, southern comforts from India and Asian street-style cuisine. 

Vista: Vista is the heart and soul of the hotel and is a hub of activity day and night. It has a feature bar that transitions from a coffee and pastry focus in the day, to alcoholic beverages and snacks in the evening. 

Truffle & Co.: A modern, chic and vibrant delicatessen and boulangerie. The irresistible aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries will have you coming back for more.

The morning sunlight probing through the curtains made me realize that I was much ‘late’ than normal and one can not but blame the extremely comfortable bed in my executive twin room with wooden flooring and window opening to the beauty of nature. 

No wonder the hotel has established a distinct standard of hospitality in the garden city, holding some of the most sought-after events and giving its guests unique experiences that leave a lasting impression on visitors. The hotel has displayed significant victories in the hospitality sector, bringing honour to Bengaluru. It won the title of “Asia’s Best Golf Resort of 2022” at the 9th World Golf Awards in Abu Dhabi and won “The Best Property for Large Scale Weddings” at the APEX awards at EWPC 2022.

Most parts of the last day were spent lazing around. The warm afternoon was a perfect excuse for me to sit by the swimming pool. The cool breeze of the western ghats was caressing the resting souls as if a gesture of appreciation and love for choosing to stay here, so in harmony with the pulse of the city. The second half of the last day was mostly spent lazying around on the premises, listening to the chirping of the birds.  

Luckily, my visit was contemporaneous with the first anniversary of this wonderful property. An atmosphere of celebration and exuberance could be felt in the air and spirit. With the number of exciting offers for the guests to celebrate this special occasion, there were happy faces all around. 

For me, a journey to a place is never complete without exploring the local flavours. The scenery and landscape of Nandi Hills though astounding had tough competition inside. I won’t soon forget the times we spent conversing under the century-old peepal tree while enjoying a cup of filter coffee and other distinctively regional foods. And the night could not have been better as I joined a few curious guests who were all busy exploring the canvas of the night sky using the telescope all set and well-organized by the hotel management. 

The farewells from a happy place like this are never happy, but the memories and experiences are going to be endured for a long since I find an excuse to come back again.  

NOTES: 

The crown jewel of the idyllic Nandi Hills, JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa is located in the heart of Bengaluru, just steps from the green gardens of Cubbon Park and moments from UB City, Koramangala and Mahatma Gandhi (MG) Road, Bengaluru. 

The property has 1 Presidential Villa, 2 Garden Villas, 2 Pool Villas, 29 Suite Rooms, 130 Signature Rooms, 81 Garden Terrace Rooms and 56 Executive Rooms.

Author: Jaun Shahi

Journalist, Sub-Editor, Travellers’ World Jaun is a soft-spoken and gentle soul who thrives as a Journalist with his exceptional observation skills and an eye for intricate details. He is a true multitasker who efficiently handles various tasks and always brings a professional approach to everything he does. His genuine team spirit makes him an integral part of the TW family, as he consistently collaborates and supports his colleagues.