Prevue September/October 2011 - (Page 50)

Previous: The Leela Palace Udaipur Opposite, clockwise from top: Maharajas’ Express dining car, Taj Mumbai, Oberoi Udaivilias, ZIYA @ Oberoi Mumbai, Maharajas’ Express bar car Below: The love story known as Taj Mahal The historic ambience of the railway cars is inspired by the golden age of rail travel, dating back to Jules Verne’s recollection of the old Bombay/Calcutta route in Around the World in 80 Days. But the technology is modern as can be. “We are equipped with every modern amenity and comfort that money can buy or science can create,” affirms Devassy. The Maharajas’ Express is truly the last word in luxury trains. The thing that makes Devassy smile most is when groups return after a day of exploring. “I love it when our guests tell me they’re glad to be home,” he says. Every afternoon, you’re greeted with warm hand towels and namaste. Two beautiful fine dining restaurants serve outstanding western dishes: New Zealand lamb, duck à la orange, lobster and blackened salmon. Authentic Indian menus include junglee mass (lamb), prawn tikka (prawns marinated in Indian spices) and murgh badam pasanda (stuffed chicken breast in almond sauce). The beauty of the train is how it visits all of the important attractions in northern India. The grandaddy is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Taj Mahal. Our group was escorted from the train to the luminous marble mausoleum with a guide for a sunrise tour. After our tour, we enjoyed a champagne Indian breakfast overlooking the Taj while live musicians performed. Another day, our group dinner played out on the dunes in Bikaner’s “camel country” on the stop between Jodhpur and Jaipur. And the next day, we dined outside during an elephant polo match at the Taj Rambagh Palace Jaipur. “Each day brings a new experience,” says Devassy. “Yes, your group will have to travel far to get here, but once they do, everything is taken care of: security, comfort, a worry free experience. We work very hard to treat all of our guests like Maharajas and Maharans.” Nidhi Gopal, deputy general manager of sales, echoes that. She says, “The train gives your group an opportunity to experience the best of India and see much more in a week than you could any other way.” UDAIPUR: LAND OF THE RAJ A perfect incentive destination in Rajasthan just a 90-minute flight from Mumbai and one hour from Delhi, the classical city of Udaipur is a magical step back in time. Here, The Leela Palace Udaipur will break your heart with its stunning beauty and views of the Aravali Mountains. Majestically fronting Lake Pichola, the new 80-room hotel bears witness to the grand and opulent Indian palace architecture of a bygone era, with every modern amenity one would need. To get to the hotel, guests are transported in gondola-style boats with check-in at the dock. When you arrive at the hotel, you enter with rose petals flowing from above and live musicians strumming soothing melodies. Our room reveal had to be one of the highlights of our trip. As the doors opened to a beautifully decorated and elegant “standard junior suite,” we were greeted by our butler impeccably dressed in the traditional Indian hospitality uniform, reminiscent of the days of the Maharaja. Graciously, he beckoned us to two plush chairs, and what came next was fabulous! Our feet were cleansed and massaged in a beautiful bowl with warm water sprinkled with orchid petals. After our feet were freshened up, they were then tucked into clean, soft white terrycloth slippers. Ah!…am I dreaming? One of our favorite areas for receptions and cocktails is the richly detailed inner courtyard. This area will leave you speechless with gold leaf floral/paisley motifs and handcrafted white marble with magnificent inlay. Host a reception here while local dancers perform, followed by a group dinner on the lawn overlooking the lake. Meeting capacity is 150 pax. Located in the middle of Lake Pichola, The Taj Lake Palace Hotel was a royal summer palace from 1746 to 1971, before Taj Hotels took over operations. It sits like a dream, an almost surreal vision of white marble and mosaic glistening in the moonlight. “The Royal Butlers, descendants of the original palace retainers, look after all contemporary comforts and ensure that our guests are treated like royalty in any of the 83 rooms and suites,” says Rachita Maini, sales manager. From casual dining to formal fine dining, food choices are varied, and we recommend at least one meal at their signature restaurant, Neel Kamal, where some of the finest Indian favorites and local Rajasthan fare are served. The restaurant overlooks the Lily Pond Courtyard, which hosts outdoor dinners for 90 diners. More jawdropping drama. The Oberoi Udaivilas is designed like a Mewari palace with 87 serene, spectacular rooms and suites opening out to private pools overlooking the lake. A setting fit for royalty—such as Angelina, Madonna and Julia—there are 30 acres of beautifully manicured courtyards and gardens, including a vegetable garden that serves its two restaurants, one with international cuisine and the other traditional Rajasthani and North Indian Cuisine. Add in six meeting rooms and a boardroom, and the luxurious property is certainly another ideal choice for board meetings to conferences for 100 pax. 50 | prevue magazine

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Prevue September/October 2011

Back Bay, Boston
Manchester
Meliá Hotels & Resorts
San Francisco/Denver/Cleveland
HSMAI + Soles4Souls
IRF/MGM Resorts, Las Vegas
Daytona Beach
Sustainability: The Next Big Thing
Central America
India
Sweden
Barcelo Resorts/Samana, DR
Portland

Prevue September/October 2011