Luxury Uninterrupted – Le Meridien,New Delhi

July 13, 2015
2,037 Comments
They say that food is best devoured if the hospitality and ambiance are at par with the guests’ expectations. Step inside the Le Merdien New Delhi and the statement is proved right. As you usher inside the hotel, the flawless architecture and sprawling cover area take you to a different level altogether.

The feeling is extraordinary as
you move in towards the coffee shop called ‘The One’ which houses the best
Italian delicacies and Japanese fare for patrons. The One has the finest array
of Indian and continental dishes served in a buffet along with a vast collection
of liquors that are well displayed. The occupancy is usually full on weekdays
and weekends with corporate lunches and kitty parties going on in full swing,
but the hotel staff is prompt enough to cater to the guests quite well.
I arrived in the month of July
and the hotel had an ongoing promotion of smoothies. I was served a Go Green
smoothie. The sweetness of honey blended well with basil and yoghurt was
complimented well with the chilled flavors of avocado. A newly introduced
Japanese breakfast was introduced keeping in mind the health conscious Japanese
guests. If you love Japanese food, you must try their Signature breakfast.
As I moved towards the lobby, called the Longitude, I looked
with awe at the spacious hub that had bright colored long chairs in red and
yellow. The hub of Longitude is usually frequented by art and coffee lovers who
meet up for a cup of coffee and tit bits. I move towards the other end to begin
my lunch review @ Eu de Monsoon restaurant.

The restaurant has an overall appearance of continuous
rainfall that compliments the beautiful landscaping of the hotel in the
outdoors. While the green belt can be felt inside the restaurant, it is the
effect of the soft delicate light and the soothing music that transcends you to
a higher level.
The restaurant is divided into two divisions – if one area
gives ample space to diners, the other area has a lounge with sofas in subtle
hues that make you feel relaxed while enjoying the serene atmosphere. I sat in
the lounge area and admired the green belt of Delhi that looked immaculate.

The bar in the center has a wide variety of poisons. Our
attendant started my culinary odyssey with a  welcome drink called ‘Broccoli Cappuccino’.
The small glass of a Brocolli shot teased my palette as I took the drink in one
gulp. The warm and cold intonation was brilliant. A cumin scented spinach and
tomato shorba puchka was the next step to the gastronomic odyssey. The tomato
soup, vocal with its tangy flavors was given a twist with the puchka floating in the center.
I was served a papaya sorbet as a palette cleanser to move
towards the main course. I had ordered a Dill and Kasundi mustard marinated
sole which was a perfect conjugation of East meets West. The tomato dip, an
Indian accompaniment to the classic sole fish goes well with the dish. The
flavors are enticing, similar to the subtle tone of the fish that promises to
leave a remarkable flavor to your taste buds.
I am filled to the brim and
prefer to walk out with a satiated look. The team insisted I try the newly
introduced ice cream flavors. For a while, I am confused to dig into the Candy
Floss With Bluberry Ice Cream but I literally succumbed to the enticing flavors
that invite me to taste the heavenly delight.
The ice cream, sprinkled with blue berry sauce and oreos placed under
it, tasted delicious.
Diners must try the different
flavors @ Meridein that are kept displayed in an interesting ice cream vendor style
in the hub of Longitude.
There was more to just filling
the stomach. It was time to feed the soul and pamper the skin. A review of the
salon and spa was in store for me and I was looking forward to it. But before
that, I was taken around for the property review.  The 299 stylish guest rooms and 59 exclusive
suites in the hotel have different themes and backgrounds in each floor.
The teakwood floors are set with
silk drapes that set off a concurrent theme of the city’s colonial heritage and
grandeur. A brilliant combination of art and décor is blended artfully to give
a tranquil setting for the discerning traveler.
The rooms boast of a spacious
window alcove overlooking the green precincts of the city. The large windows let
in the green effect while the facilities in the room ensure the guests are
pampered to the brim. All the rooms are fitted with modern amenities like
42-inch plasma flat screen TVs, plus wired and wireless High Speed Internet
Access. Each theme-based suite comprises a living room, working and lounging
areas, one or two bedrooms, and a spacious bathroom.
The Honeymoon suite in the hotel has
a beautiful ceiling resembling the night sky with stars glistening and
gleaming. The dark curtains and dark brown flooring are impressive, but the
attached washroom with luxury amenities is worth complimenting.
I moved to the spa ‘Three Graces
By Amatrra Spa’ that is located on the fourth floor. The entrance has water
bodies in different corners with pebbles in them. Based on the elements of
Vastu Shastra, the spa has every amenity to please the senses.
The luxurious spa @ The Three Graces By Amatrra Spa in
Meridien enhances its spa menu with Ayurveda massages inspired by Indian
traditions and contemporary Western massages. 
 
Each massage enriches the
complete well-being which promises comfort and relaxation while transporting
the body back into balance. It features separate wet areas for men and women
that include facilities like lockers, dressing areas , shower rooms , steam
rooms , jacuzzi , relaxation areas , lifestyle rooms and 7 therapy suites
including a couple therapy suite.
 
The aura of the spa is
divine that transcends guests to a whole new level. The sounds of water flowing
and birds chirping continue as one steps inside the spa. As I moved towards my
room, a feeling of bliss flows in my body.
The room arrives rather
too soon and I am greeted by the therapist with folded hands. Before beginning
the therapy, she prays for my well-being with devotion. I slip into a soft robe
and lie on the bed face down. 
 
The scrub that I chose was Sensitiva scrub that
was meant to stimulate, detoxify, relax and rejuvenate. The grounded rice and
yoghurt based scrub helped in stimulating and exfoliating. The scrub is best for
soothing, calming and cooling the doshas. The mixture is definitely free of
chemicals and is free of parabens or alcohol. The spa focuses on wellness and
healing to areas of the body with the most nerve endings including the scalp,
hands and feet.
 

The 45 minutes session is
blissful, where I was transcended into heaven immediately. I wasn’t aware
of my deep slumber, until the therapist woke me up. A warm shower and head bath
makes me feel light and I am ready for my salon review.

The salon is on the same floor, a
few minutes’ walk towards it. The spacious salon has an impressive look in
subtle hues that tend to brighten a dull day. The staff is warm and welcoming.
I was ushered towards the area for a hair spa and a pedicure.
The shampoo and warm water washed off
the grime and dirt while the conditioner added moisture to the follicles. I
moved on to another chair where the spa cream was massaged gently into the
scalp. As the therapist gently pressed every nerve in the head, I was gradually
moving into a more serene and calm world. The spa cream was left on some time
and with the help of steam, the goodness of the cream seeped well inside the
scalp. The hair was then washed gently and a light dryer helped them to set
naturally.
If your favorite part of having a
pedicure is the foot massage, then you would fall in love with the pedicure at
La Belle. The salon believes in pampering, which is why they go beyond the
standard foot rub. The reflexology combine with buffing and polishing is definitely
worth a visit.

The pedicurist began smoothening
every nail with finesse. He buffed, filed, and sculpted my nails to perfection,
while I enjoyed my coffee. I then soaked my feet in warm water for fifteen
minutes to soften cracked heels. A salt scrub from Forest Essentials helped to
remove dead skin. He worked his magic on the heels, scraping them and leaving
them soft in their sandal-wearing lives.

He then silently kneaded my toes,
feet, ankles, calves and knees until I’m almost comatose. When he’s finished,
there isn’t even an inkling of a sore muscle.  I was asked to select a nail polish from the
spa’s menu of exorbitant variety of colors. I settled for some subtle shade and
glare at my feet in my pride. A satisfied smile comes up instantly as my feet
glitter and gleam.
I thank the team and move out
happily strutting across the corridors. With magnificent chandeliers, comfortable
seating arrangement, and an liberal placing of greenery, Le Meridien is undoubtedly a place
to unwind and relax.
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