Situated in Gurgaon, the so-called “Cyber City” of India’s National Capital Region, The Oberoi Gurgaon is one of the chicest places to stay in the area. While most clientele here are business travelers needing easy access to local corporate offices, it’s not a bad choice for tourists—it’s close to a metro line that ferries travelers right to the heart of Delhi in about half an hour and is across the street from Ambiance Mall, one of the largest shopping centers in the country.
However, if you end up here, you might not want to venture off site…at least that was my experience during my stay last winter. My journey started when I arrived in Delhi by train, where a duo of chauffeurs were waiting for me right on the platform. They quickly escorted me through the bustling railway station to a shiny black Mercedes for the 45-minute drive to Gurgaon.
My first impressions of the hotel were fantastic—though I’d visited many of India’s most luxurious hotels, including most of the Oberoi Group’s properties, this particular hotel broke the typical traditionally Indian vibe I’d long associated with Oberoi hotels, instead featuring a sleek, modern ambiance, with huge floor-to-ceiling windows looking out on a gorgeous courtyard pool below. Polished, spotless white marble floors brightened with red rugs and black seats added to the overall vibe. I would later find myself wandering throughout the hotel, admiring piece upon piece of gorgeous artwork from up-and-coming Indian artists adorning the walls of the common areas. As it turns out, the president of The Oberoi Group is an avid art collector and trader, and he was personally responsible for selecting a large portion of the art found throughout the property.
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Even the rooms feature one-of-a-kind paintings, as I would quickly discover after being ushered into my gorgeous suite, which featured a separate living room, bedroom, and dining area. Like the common areas, the rooms here have a contemporary, business vibe, with little homegrown touches such as luxury toiletries from Indian Ayurvedic brand Forest Essentials.
While the entire experience was glorious, the highlight of my stay was the opportunity to dine at amaranta the Oberoi’s signature fine-dining restaurant featuring both a la carte and special seasonal themed menus served in multiple courses. I opted for a tasting menu, which was served in multiple small courses, each based on a character from Mughal history. This season, the restaurant has switched things up a bit, offering a chess-themed menu, along with express options featuring heavily on South Indian cuisine. Though I might not get a chance to stay at the hotel again anytime soon, I’ll definitely make a point of coming back just to dine at amaranta once again.
To check on hotel rates and make a reservation go directly to the hotel website or try Hotels.com.
Rates start at around $300 (US). Wi-Fi is free and fast. All photos courtesy of The Oberoi Gurgaon. Margot Bigg’s stay was hosted by the hotel. All opinions are her own.
