SLIP IN THE LAP OF LUXURY AT THE ONLY ALL-SUITE HOTEL IN INDIA: ITC GRAND BHARAT

While you’ll drive through the highways, winding rural roads, and few rural houses jutting into the aforementioned pathways, you will be astonished to see the monumental edifice suddenly swimming into your view. Located on a quarantined wooded estate bordering the ancient Aravalli Mountains in Gurugram, the grand show of ITC Grand Bharat suits opens up like a mirage – a shrine to modern hospitality, couched in traditional architecture. 

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

A majestic sanctuary of peace, its India’s first all-suite resort representing the best of India’s heritage and culture. Give yourself a royal treat by indulging into uber-luxury what the majestic resort has to offer. And while you are still wondering about the characteristics of this gem, we have jotted down the experience at ITC Grand Bharat to make it easy for you.

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

An Architectural Marvel 

This all-suite resort is a voyage of discovery. As the name implies, ITC Grand Bharat draws inspiration from myriad sources for its aesthetics. Designed in the form of Mandala, the first impression of the main building is of a large sandstone temple. The sense of awe starts right from the lobby, named Sangam after the meeting of the three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. On arrival, it’s not just a welcome drink that awaits you, but also a showering of petals, the blowing of the trumpet and yes, that red carpet! 

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

The Grand Bharat’s architectural ingredients are handpicked from India’s past, chosen to embody the spirit of an Indian hotel. They have picked some unusual milestones for inspiration, including the stepwell at Adalaj, the Muktesvara deula in Bhubaneswar (the Torana-style entrance to the hotel block,) and the Ghats of Varanasi (the steps at ‘Yamuna’, which separates the hotel block from the main building). And, of course, there is plenitude of Mughal, Chola, and Maurya interpretations – coming together seamlessly and that’s unique India for you. 

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

Interestingly, the real treasures are where you would have least imagined it, in those corners. Do notice the fountains or the Tree of Life high above in the Sangam ceiling, or the myriad artwork on the way to Kaya Kalp spa. It’s a place whose beauty will cease your footsteps at almost every nook! 

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

Pleasurable Stay

Nothing explains it better than just a fact that this grandeur is an all-suite property which is carefully designed to make the guest feel like a royal. Relax in the realm of cosy suites with your own living room, bedroom, a closet, dressing area, a large sitting veranda, and gigantic bathroom. You cannot ask for more in a luxury stay – from the lush green surroundings waking you up in the morning to the silent therapeutic and peaceful nights, you just need to lay back and relax. 

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

Unsurprisingly all the rooms are heavily stocked in every conceivable amenity imaginable, some just for pure indulgence. A chocolate picture frame? Monogrammed towels? The imagination just doesn’t work for the opulence it offers! Each ground floor suite has a semi-private pool, while the upper floors have a terrace view. We would suggest you opt for a pool suite, which is tastefully and expensively furnished. Apart from the fact that the ITC Grand Bharat is architecturally splendid — the rambling half-square-mile complex of blush-hued sandstone blocks looks like a medieval citadel.

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

Delish Offerings

The experience at the Grand Bharat revolves around three concerns: food, wellness, and the outdoors. Of these, the food, helmed by the talented chefs is possibly the greatest attraction and comes with wonderful surprises. You would surely love to indulge in the elegant Peacock Bar, which is inspired by India's national bird – wooden panels carved into the shape of the multi-coloured bird frame the bar and you can enjoy its 'bar theatre' as well. A tip: Do ask the expert molecular mixologist to use liquid smoke in the making of your perfect drink. 

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

At Apas Promenade, relish the local Mewati barbecues, which forms part of the robust regional cuisine of the ancient Aravalli hills. Don’t forget to binge on their Mewati Biryani and Bajra Phirni too. Another flabbergasting gastronomical journey draws its route through the Aravalli Pavilion – with warm interiors made of murals and cork floors, it is home to unique culinary concepts. We are not at all over-rating this place when we say, their mulligatawny soup, served with a chorizo kulcha, is to die for.

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

If the Aravali Pavilion is informal chic, the India Room pulls out all the stops. Its interiors will quickly remind you of Paris where you can dance in the steps of European delicacies and flute of champagne. 

Photo credits: ITC Grand Bharat

Quite possibly, the Grand Bharat is the best resort you can opt to experience. Its extravagant spread feels intimate and that’s a feat. In a time when time is a commodity more precious than gold, the beautiful resort holds up to its promise of ‘unhurried luxury’. You will certainly be in no hurry to leave!