Oberoi Hotels – Luxury India
The Oberoi Rajvilas is located in a park-like setting.
This trip report was contributed by freelance writer/photographer Marilyn Jones.
When my friend Norma Meyer and I began planning our trip to India, we decided we wanted to see the Taj Mahal, go on a tiger safari, shop, and stay at Oberoi Hotels – known for the luxury they offer.
At our first hotel, the Oberoi New Delhi, a tall man dressed in a British colonial uniform opened the door. Once inside the lobby, a marigold lei was presented to each of us before we were ushered to our rooms.
A luxury room at the Oberoi New Delhi.
Although the Oberoi New Delhi is very modern, it also has understated historic elements. We were told that this hotel was the first to have 24-hour butler service for its guests. While we sat by the pool, a young man brought us water and put up a shade umbrella. We exchanged glances, and when he was out of ear shot, I proclaimed “This is going to be good!”
That night we enjoyed dinner at Travertino, an Italian fine dining restaurant in the hotel.
The Oberoi Hotel in Agra provides a view of the Taj Mahal. Credit: ADAMS / HANSEN STOCK PHOTOS.
Next: the Taj Mahal
When we arrived in Agra, the sun was setting and it was too late to visit the Taj Mahal. Instead, we checked in to our gorgeous quarters at the Oberoi Amarvilas. Oberoi hotels tastefully blend into their surroundings and this was no exception. Here, every room faces the Taj Mahal – the stunning landmark that is one of the world’s great wonders. In fact, the hotel is designed to give every guest the same view – whether they are in their room, the dining room or another public space.
Stepping out onto our balcony and gazing at the iconic site for the first time, I reminded myself to be in the moment – this is a once in a lifetime event. Rolling lawns and water elements frame the view of the Taj Mahal. The monument was built by Shah Jahan and dedicated to his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to the couple’s fourteenth child. Since we couldn’t yet visit this monument to love, Norma and I settled in to enjoy the beautiful hotel. This included an Indian feast accompanied by a local musician.
This is a premier room at the Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur, India.
Jaipur
After our visit to the Taj Mahal the next day, we headed to Jaipur and the Oberoi Rajvilas.
Making our way through the lobby and past the restaurant, we walked out into this – well – paradise. A horse-drawn cart carried us through flowers and rolling lawn to our bungalows.
The hotel sits on 32-acres and encompasses a 280-year-old Shiva temple and a centuries old mansion that have been carefully restored. The mansion now serves as the Oberoi Spa.
Before dinner, Norma and I wandered the grounds with its purple jacaranda, red bottlebrush trees, and orange and yellow gulmohar trees. It was simply breathtaking.
Finally…tigers!
When we arrived at Oberoi Vanyavilas near Ranthambore National Park, there were two majestic elephants standing at the entrance. “We rescued them from a circus,” said hotel manager Ratna Malhotra as she stroked one of the magnificent animal’s trunks. “I call them my girls.”
The Oberoi Vanyavilas is a “tented” resort on the edge of Rathambore National Park.
Malhotra was there to greet her guests and find out if anyone saw a tiger during the morning safari in the park. The conversations continued as hotel guests compared notes before making their way back to their tents. Well, the word tent is a stretch; they are more like glamorous cottages with embroidered canvas ceilings and private gardens overflowing with flowers and the sound of birdsong.
Norma and I hung back taking pictures of the elephants and talking to Malhotra. “Would you like to give them a bath?” she asked. “It’s something extra we offer our guests.”
Of course, we said “yes!” A jeep picked us up in front of the hotel and took us the short distance to the elephants’ home. Arjun M., the hotel’s resident naturalist, accompanied us. His job includes taking care of the elephants. We sprayed them down with water and rubbed their hairy trunks with something resembling a loofah.
While we were guests of Oberoi Vanyavilas, we also had the thrill of seeing a tiger in the preserve.
Good-bye Oberoi
The Oberoi, Gurgaon is located in a business district, 15 minutes from Delhi International Airport.
With our adventure drawing to a close, we stayed one last night at The Oberoi, Gurgaon on the outskirts of Delhi. The hotel is amazing with its elements of height, light, and space. From our rooms, we overlooked a large body of sapphire blue water and landscaped gardens. Of course, we enjoyed dinner in the hotel restaurant, as we did at every Oberoi resort.
Would I go again? In a heartbeat. For me, this was a trip of a lifetime.
Photo credit: Courtesy Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, except as noted.
For more information: www.oberoihotels.com
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Hey!!
Beautiful hotel , a must visit
Oberoi hotel group is very interesting to me; such a mix between luxury, opulence and tradition is quite unique in the luxury hotel industry!