A Royal Adventure ITC Grand - ITC Hotels...larger than most New York apartments, custom monogrammed towels, robes and slippers awaited my arrival. The cedar lined spa and enormous

6/8/2015 A Royal Adventure at the new ITC Grand Bharat: The Most Luxurious Retreat in India - ForbesLife

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A Royal Adventure at the new ITC Grand Bharat: …

Preparing for my luxury adventure to India was like gettingready for war. I had received so many warnings from somany different people and everybody had advice to give. Ihad prepared for my vaccinations (over $600 worth) tomake sure I would not get sick, I had prepared for mymedical travel protection membership (MedjetAssist) in caseI needed transport out of the country, and I receivedmultiple medications in case I got sick from the water. I evenbought the super cool, hi-tech SteriPen water purificationstick. What I did not prepare for was the luxury of what wasto come, as well as receiving such a loving embrace fromthe people and the surroundings of one of the mostbeautiful countries I have ever visited. I was not prepared tofall in love.

The brand new ITC Grand Bharat Retreat

Of course what would the ultimate luxury travel be withoutflying First Class via Emirates Airlines. A black town carpicked me up from my home and whisked me to thebeautiful LAX lounge. You are truly treated special onEmirates, and once on board, if the private suites weren’tenough to wow you, the service and the royal treatmentwould. I have flown Emirates several times before in thepast and this time did not disappoint. Flying via Dubai withan easy layover in the glorious fountain filled First Class

By Jim Dobson Contributor

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lounge, this is international travel worth shelling out for.I arrived into Delhi at the ungodly hour of 4 am. I wasimmediately greeted by a smiling representative of my hosthotel, the brand new ITC Grand Bharat. My luggage wastaken by my private porter and my airport host walked mepast all security lines and immediately to my waitingtransportation. This is what ITC is famous for, andconsidering they are India’s largest luxury hotel chain, theyare still able to provide the ultimate in customer service andcare. Although I was exhausted from my flight, my eyeswere opened quickly when I was escorted to my very ownregal Rolls Royce Phantom. I knew right then this would bean adventure to remember.

My early morning Royal welcome ceremony outside of the Presidential Villa at the ITC Grand

Bharat (Photo by Jim Dobson)

Since this was a crazy hour to be driving through NorthernIndia in a Rolls Royce, the hotel made sure I had a securityescort all the way to the property. An Audi was the lead carwith my porter and bags while two motorcycle guards rodeahead and two motorcycle guards following up the rear. Sothis is how Presidents and royalty travel.The ITC Grand Bharat is nestled in a secluded, woodedestate bordering the ancient Aravali Mountains in Gurgaon,(a 40 minute ride from Delhi) , where this all-suite

http://www.itchotels.in/itcgrandbharat/

http://www.itchotels.in/itcgrandbharat/



extravaganza opens up like a mirage. A majestic Palaceretreat beyond the imagination in a secluded regionsurrounded by working farmland. The 100 suites representthe finest in India’s heritage and culture including deluxesuites with private pools or extravagant Presidential Villas.

The Presidential Villa entrance

As my regal transport drove up the majestic winding roadinto the resort, I noticed a lone trumpet player announcingmy arrival (at 5:00am). My car pulled up to the expansive5,726 square foot Presidential Villa, where a Royal guardwas lined up to greet me. A luxurious red canopy hoistedhigh above the entrance by four uniformed guards. Ashowering of rose petals, a long red carpet, this was easily



the most lavish greeting I have ever experienced.Once inside the Villa, my butler and private chef wereawaiting my arrival. My private valet gathered my bagseager to unpack my clothes. The Chef had layed out alovely breakfast on the long dining room table. I really justwanted a nap, but felt like I was already caught up in adream so I soaked it all in.

Living room in the Presidential Villa of the Grand Bharat (photo by Jim Dobson)

I was shown to the master bedroom on the second floor.The elevator whisking me past the ornate gleaming goldand marble throughout this sanctuary. The bathroom waslarger than most New York apartments, custommonogrammed towels, robes and slippers awaited myarrival. The cedar lined spa and enormous steam showerwould just have to wait as I really needed to rest up for theamazing day to come.The Grand Bharat is spread out over 300 acres, surroundedby perfectly manicured green golf courses mixed withcolorful peacocks roaming freely. There are four largePresidential Villas, themed after four dynasties of India –Maurya, Maratha, Mughal and Chola, each offer a singularluxury experience. The resort also proudly boasts SouthAsia’s only 27-hole signature Jack Nicklaus Golf Course.



Poolside at the Grand Bharat

I was eager to get out and explore the grounds; Nikita hadmy private cart available to take me wherever I needed togo. Lunch was waiting for me in the Aravali Pavilion where Iindulged in Modern Indian Mosaics, a unique culinarymovement focusing on a variety of Indian flavors. I met thehotel’s charming General Manager Anand Rao who quicklybecame a friend throughout my stay, offering up greatnightly conversations as we watched the sun slowlydescend along the resort’s fabulous Sunset Blvd. veranda.When I returned to my villa I was presented with a customembroidered pair of Polo pants that I would wear thatafternoon playing Polo with new friends. First up, ITC’samazing Bindu Panicker was my host for a private tour andtea in Delhi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. This enormous 340room, 200,000 square foot mansion is the President ofIndia’s official residence and the largest Head of Stateresidence in the world. After tea, I met with National Polochampion Rajat Khatri who gave me a private lesson in theproper techniques of playing polo before letting me spendtime on the field.



An afternoon polo match in Delhi (photo by Jim Dobson)

I was sweaty and exhausted, so the ITC made sure I hadthe massive Presidential Suite at their popular MauryaHotel in Delhi to freshen up prior to dinner at the hotel’sfamous Dum Pukht restaurant. My private valet had myclothes pressed while I showered. The dinner was hostedby the hotel’s gregarious GM Zubin Songadwala along withPolo champion Rajat Khatri and his wife. Great conversationensued about the hotel recently hosting President Barack

http://www.itchotels.in/hotels/itcmaurya.aspx



Obama a week before, while we dined on an amazing mealof aromatic dishes slow cooked in sealed deghs withhandpicked spices.My next day was spent leisurely at the Grand Bharat in theirenormous 35,000 square foot Kaya Kalp spa having aluxurious pomegranate body scrub. The spa even has theirown resident Yoga Master for private sessions. Returning tomy Villa I enjoyed a private Cuisine Classica cooking classpoolside with Chef Shivneet. I can now say I am an expertat making Chicken Tikka as well as pumpkin gnocchi Indianstyle. That evening was very special as I was hosted by thetop ITC Hotel executives at a private poolside dinner in theresort’s Apas Promenade, while a band of musicians playedin the background.

Private dinner party poolside with (from left) Benita Sharma, Jim Dobson, Dipak Haksar (COO ITC

Hotels), Archana Haksar, Anil Sharma and Anand Rao (GM-ITC Grand Bharat)

With a decadent presentation of heirloom jewelry and fabricfrom India’s past, this was an enormously entertainingevening of spiritual conversation and color. A full formal staffof waiters made sure our plates and stomachs were alwaysfull.The next morning I was off on a whirlwind shopping

6/8/2015 A Royal Adventure at the new ITC Grand Bharat: The Most Luxurious Retreat in India ForbesLife

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experience in the bustling, chaotic city of Old Delhi. I wasfortunate to have my retreat hosts Nikita and Nataliya alongwith me as our private driver drove us into a city that was socongested that we had to transfer to a rickshaw for theexcursion. We rode through the seemingly endlesscacophony of honking and crowds that is beyond theimagination how a city can get any work done. But withsmiling faces and perseverance, the workers make the bestof it.

The exotic atmosphere and narrow streets of the Delhimarkets is what India is truly all about. The vibrant colorsmixed with smells of spices amidst the controlled chaosmakes your heart rush while filled with adventure. The 100year old market was filled with a multitude of street workers,food sellers, rickshaw drivers, and thousands of vendors.The more civilized Delhi Haat market outside of the area isbest for less congestion.



Peacock Bar at the Grand Bharat

My last evening in the paradise of the Grand Bharat was atthe fabulous Peacock Bar where I enjoyed a molecularmixology tasting including spirits from around the world. Mybags were packed for my trip home, the Rolls RoycePhantom was waiting for me, and to my surprise the entirestaff that I had met during my stay had gathered along amassive red carpet outside the entrance to my villa. A teamof drummers performed while I was showered with rosepetals blessing my farewell. This is truly an adventure thatmust be experienced and the heart and soul of the staff atthe Grand Bharat have me planning my return to theirwelcoming arms.


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Royal farewell from the staff of ITC Grand Bharat (Photo by Jim Dobson)

Emirates Airline private first class suites


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Emirates First Class Shower Spa

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A Royal Adventure ITC Grand - ITC Hotels...larger than most New York apartments, custom monogrammed towels, robes and slippers awaited my arrival. The cedar lined spa and enormous