Distinctive amenities, expansive art displays, and tailored service create a relaxing oasis within the city.
Whether it’s work or leisure, or if you want to combine both, the Four Seasons hotel in Bengaluru may just be the perfect sanctuary for your plans. It also may just be the perfect staycation venue even if you’re a local craving some time off. From embracing technology in the hotel rooms to making the property pet-friendly, it’s the attention to details that make the property stand out from others in the vicinity.
Bengaluru is popularly known as the Garden City and the vast expanse of greenery visible from the windows of your hotel room reinforce that name for the city. The rooms are extra-large and blend comfort with modernity with the signature Four Seasons bedding for deep, restorative rest. The technology on offer includes your room key card with a QR code which can help you place an order from wherever you are with a simple scan, so even if your stuck in the Bengaluru traffic, you can order a dish from your car and have it ready by the time you reach your room. With everyone addicted to their messaging apps these days, the iPad in the room with the Four Seasons Chat feature stood out for me. Through this you can get suggestions of what to eat for lunch or dinner according to your mood and what you can explore in the hotel & in the city.
For those wanting to step out of the property into the city, customisable plans are on offer depending on where and what you prefer to visit. In fact, there’s also a unique and complimentary Sunday morning tour offered by the hotel where guests are taken for a visit to the bustling Cubbon park, majestic Vidhan Soudha and also given a taste of the famous local filter coffee.
The hotel’s all day dining restaurant with an alfresco terrace, Cur8 has been really upping their Indian cuisine game of late. With their superb in-house chefs on call for any personalisation needed and a pet friendly ambience, it’s the perfect venue for a weekend brunch with the family or a dinner get-together after meetings & conferences conclude. There’s also a special tasting menu that can be curated on advance notice and is at par with any tasting menu I’ve tried across the country. Apart from the lovely presentation of dishes, there’s a clear focus on flavours and simply not on spices which makes it suitable for any palate. The hotel also features a great breakfast spread with a specially tailored and elaborate South Indian selection too. In the evening do try India’s first dedicated Wine Studio, Curated by Cur8 which boasts of a collection of over 230 wines from across the world & 7 types of cheese to be paired with them which are all made in India.
Far & East on the 21st floor is the hotel’s Asian restaurant. While enjoying some great views you can opt for the Dim Sum Lunch with over 17 types of Dim Sum on offer. Restaurant regulars also recommend trying out the different types of sushi and the Peking Duck too. The Chocolate Pear stood out for me on the dessert menu as it tasted as good as it looked.
For a memorable evening, take out time to check out Copitas – the hotel’s awardwinning bar. Bengaluru weather is mostly amazing so the bar’s outdoor area is generally the liveliest. I also opted to sit outdoors and the view was stunning to say the least. The bar menu has some amazing cocktails on offer and you also have the option to ask for a personalised cocktail if you want to have yours customised to suit your preference. Copitas has been ranked #12 on India’s 30 Best Bars 2024 and #38 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 and my visit reinforced exactly why it sits on these coveted lists. Whisky lovers though should make a bee-line for The Collection, the hotel bar which adjoins the lobby and has over 120 whiskies to choose from. In case you prefer a whisky cocktail instead, there are over 21 types of Old Fashioned on the menu of The Collection to try out.
The Infuse Spa, the hotel’s poolside luxury spa is rejuvenating and acts as the perfect antidote for any stress that business travellers or other visitors may be facing. I opted for the Four Flowers massage which offered me complete relaxation but there’s also the Balinese massage & many other treatments on offer which blend modern wellbeing with timeless traditions. The massage performed by a well trained and experienced therapist left me feeling renewed and truly awakened my senses. I followed up my treatment with a steam and sauna session followed by a green tea in the spa’s relaxation area with a picturesque view of the pool.
The service of Four Seasons Bengaluru is exceptional and personalised with the hotel staff going out of their way to make you feel home. Another aspect that stands out is the lovely art that is woven across every wall of the property and also changes from time to time in a gallery that adjoins the Cur8 restaurant. It’s no surprise then that the hotel is fondly referred to as a “Living Art Gallery.” I’m back home now after my visit but already counting down the days for when I hope to be back.
