March 17, 2010

Another View of Bangalore

If I have learned anything in the past year about the country of India: it is a country of contrast.  Friends born and raised in south India mentioned to me that you can see poverty on one street corner with a mansion on the next.  There doesn't seem to be any set boundaries to the varying lifestyles in India and I experienced this when spending a week in the city of Bangalore.

In all candor, I would not even consider staying at the Leela Palace except there was an incredible deal I discovered online when searching for a place to stay.  Turns out I could spend my week at the Leela for approximately what it would cost me at the average Holiday Inn in North America, only the deal included a few more palatial perks...









I found a brief description of the Leela Palace as written on its company web site:

Recently in 2001 Capt. Nair fulfilled his longstanding dream of constructing a palace hotel in the garden city of Bangalore. The Leela Palace Kempinski Bangalore is built in art deco style recreating the grandeur of The Mysore Maharajas Palace. It is set amidst 8 acres of landscaped garden and waterfalls. It is a palace with the heart of a modern hotel. Its 254 rooms are opulently furnished and are befitting royalty.

The experience at the Leela is not incredible architecture alone but the service you receive from the wonderful staff -- from daily fruit, chocolates and newspaper brought to your room to the chef whipping up your favorite breakfast of dosa even though it isn't on the menu.  However you slice it, my stay was an experience to remember!





As a former student of architecture and landscape, the Leela Palace sure got my critical eye working.  The eight acres of grounds sure did not disappoint either...