Laying out on the table the country's rich cultural heritage and spectacular architecture is “ Hotels and Resorts in India,” a coffee table book published by White Flag. Within its pages are some of the most stunning hotels and resorts in the country and the book is a virtual treat for any connoisseur of art, architecture, and hotels.
It goes into details about the transformation of erstwhile palaces and resorts, where these places of stay have lent a totally different dimension to travel. The book also features classic as well as contemporary architecture, with innovative themes and designs reflecting local culture and environment, adding a new meaning to luxury and creativity.
A story to tell
Devi Garh, Udaipur, is a classic example of a palace forgotten for over two centuries, now restored to its former glory and serving as a luxury hotel. Its sunbathed corridors nestling in the Aravalli hills, its splendid courtyards, Sheesh Mahal, royal interiors, all reflective of the luxurious lifestyle of a forgotten era, are a treat for the eye. The local culture and architecture is captured in its authenticity in Madhubhan Resort and Spa, Anand, Gujarat.
The resort, reflective of the ethnic Gujarati architecture and lifestyle, also serves as a contemporary blend, incorporating a picturesque Gujarati village with its havelis and gullies while packing in the comfort of modern living.
Resorts built to radiate the local environment also feature in the book, depicting local styles and materials. The Spice Village, Thekkady, reflects this in entirety, with its thatched roof cottages outside the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The ambience of the resort is fabulous in its replication of a tribal village, surrounded by spice trees. Interiors of the cottages reflect luxury, yet packing in a rural aura.
The Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, is yet another masterpiece, spectacular as its marble structure rises from Lake Pichola. With its blend of Mughal and Rajput architectural elements, the hotel has stunning courtyards combined with lush greenery and water bodies. Its interiors incorporating marble, gold etchings, arched windows and doors, and exotic chandeliers, speak of the grandeur of a bygone era.
The architecture of a building needs to be in conformity with the natural topography, the structure blending in and absorbing the natural gradient of the site. Hotels conforming to this natural terrain, fusing seamlessly into the scenery, also find a place in the book.
The Corinthians, Pune, is one such boutique hotel, its structure literally emerging from the hills, adapting to its contours. With its ribbed domes, bell towers, picturesque archways, and earthy colours blending into the scene, it is picture perfect .
Reminiscent of the colonial era is The Imperial, New Delhi, majestic in its white structure, standing tall and regal against the backdrop of palm trees surrounding it.
The interiors are equally royal with their mix of Victorian and colonial décor, inviting in its luxurious ambience.
History once again comes out in glory with the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, Mumbai. Over a century old, the hotel has the historic Gateway of India as its landmark. Classic in structure, the hotel's dome has the distinction of using the same steel that was used for the Eiffel Tower. The hotel affords spectacular views of the sea from its outdoor dining restaurant.
