A weekend staycation

After a long week at work, we were more than eager to spend the weekend at The Suryaa. Located in New Friends Colony in south Delhi, the hotel is a 30-minute drive from the Indira Gandhi International Airport. For us, it was a staycation (being in your own city and vacationing at a hotel) as work pressure did not allow us to leave the city and take a long break.

The royal weekend treatment started the minute we stepped into the Suryaa. We were welcomed in the traditional Indian style with garlands and a glass of aam panna.  Our weary souls were immediately calmed as we entered the spacious lobby with designer Italian marble flooring. The lighting was cheerful soothing instrumental music played in the background and there was a fragrance in the air that we attributed to the potted plants, especially the fresh yellow lilies. It was much later that we found out from the hotel staff that they pay special attention to their guest&rsquos sensory experiences believing it to be key to a guest&rsquos overall experience.

Before checking into our rooms, we headed to Ssence, the Suryaa&rsquos all day restaurant, for lunch. The old-fashioned menu cards have been replaced by a stylish menu that can be seen on a tablet. After a lavish buffet lunch, we checked into our room on the third floor. We were hoping for a top-floor room to get a bird&rsquos eye-view of our lovely city. But we were not disappointed. We could see the Lotus Temple, a white, pristine little flower amid the concrete jungle, from our bedroom window. We knew it was going to be a good staycation weekend, the moment we looked around the spick and span room with well-made beds, a basket of fresh fruits, a bottle of wine and some complimentary cookies and chocolates.  Everything was perfect except that there were no plug points next to our beds just one point next to the study table.

After relaxing for some time in our room, we headed to The Club One Fitness and Spa. A body massage with Ayurvedic treatments made us feel rejuvenated.

Dinner was at Ssence, an elaborate buffet spread consisting of Indian fare with &lsquoKayastha cuisine&rsquo as the special theme. Kebabs of different varieties were served as starters and they were delicious, the melt-in-your-mouth kind. Accompanied by some red sangria, candlelight and their signature fresh lilies on the table, it was a perfect weekend evening. For those, who want to celebrate Saturday night in style, the Suryaa also has a club the club&rsquos interiors are done up in black and white, and thus, the name Club BW. But we decided to give it a miss this time.

The next morning we woke up feeling fresh like a new-born. Breakfast was served buffet style at SSence and we were spoilt for choice. There was South Indian breakfast with uttapam, dosa, idli North Indian with paranthas of different kinds a variety of fresh juices, salads and fresh fruits English breakfast with a variety of cold-meat, bacon, waffles, pancakes, baked beans and eggs to order.

After a more-than-filling breakfast, we proceeded towards poolside, only to slump in the chairs, novels in hand. We remained there for some time until we felt drowsy. So, instead of falling asleep on those pool chairs, we headed back to our room for a quick nap. High tea at the Suryaa&rsquos French Crust bakery followed. That evening, post our high tea, we had a session booked for us at The Club One Fitness and Spa again but this time, we chose the jacuzzi, followed by steam and sauna sessions.

Dinner at Sampan Sky Lounge was a Chinese-Thai-Japanese affair. The rooftop restauranthas glass walls and overlooks Delhi&rsquos skyline there is also an outdoor smoking room from where you can also see the lit-up Lotus Temple at night.

Our two-day staycation at the Suryaa in New Delhi was all about unwinding and getting pampered.  

The Information

Location New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110025
Accommodation 244 rooms including deluxe rooms, club rooms and luxury suites

Contact www.thesuryaa.com