ITC Grand Bharat, Gurgaon - a Luxury Collection Retreat

The ITC Grand Bharat caters to business travelers and domestic leisure travelers alike, with its sprawling golf course and multiple meeting rooms, but it's not a great option for international tourists or even business travelers wanting a convenient base to explore the National Capital Region.  From the outside, the red sandstone hotel looks like a palace, thanks to a huge, Indo-Saracenic-inspired facade (an architectural style that mixes Indian and Gothic Revival elements). Striking features include columned porticos topped with triangular "chhatris" (traditional domed pavilions). A large fountain surrounded by a star-shaped topiary feature sits in front of the hotel's entrance, adding to the regal first impression. There are more fountains and topiary features throughout the well-manicured grounds and golf cart service is available to ferry travelers around who don't want to walk. Inside, the lobby is no less palatial, with gold- and off-white marble floors and large Grecian-style white columns studded with Victorian-style iron lamps. At the center is a hexagonal rug, which creates a busy impression.

The ITC Grand Bharat is located in the southwestern part of Gurgaon, a satellite city of neighboring Delhi and part of the National Capital Region (NCR). There's not a lot to see or do in Gurgaon proper, and most people stay here because they have work in the area. The only major attraction of interest beside shopping malls full of American and European brands is an entertainment complex called "Kingdom of Dreams," where regular live music and dance performances are held daily. That said, North Indian visitors are the target audience, and most of the shows are mostly in Hindi.The hotel is in a less developed part of Gurgaon, right off the main highway that connects Delhi with the Rajasthani capital city of Jaipur. There's no metro within walking distance, so guests will need to rely on taxis to get around. It's a 50-minute drive just to get to the main strip of malls on Gurgaon's MG Road, and can take upwards of an hour and a half to reach Delhi by car, especially during rush hour. Indira Gandhi International Airport is about an hour away by taxi, depending on traffic. 

The Grand Bharat has two types of lodging: Deluxe Suites and Presidential Villas. The former make up the bulk of the rooms at the hotel (there are 100 in all) and measure around 70 square meters (230 square feet). Some have terraces with views of the surrounding golf course or direct access to a semi-private swimming pool. Decor is homey in a traditionally North Indian way, if a little busy, with marble floors, rugs under classic wood-framed beds with large faux-Edwardian headboards, high ceilings with painted vine work, and separate living areas with plush sofas. Features include minibars, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and large flat-screen TVs in both the living rooms and bedrooms. Bathrooms are large and feature wooden floors, double vanities with huge mirrors, separate toilet rooms, and both soaking tubs and walk-in showers. The four, two-bedroom, two-story Presidential Villas measure 532 square meters (5,726 square feet), and each is themed after a former Indian dynasty (Chola, Maratha, Maurya, and Mughal). Features include huge living rooms with dining rooms, bars stocked with cigars and liquors, private outdoor lap pools and whirlpool tubs, kitchens (with the option of private chef services), and elevators.

The ITC Grand Bharat's signature feature is its 27-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course divided into three nine-hole sections, each with its own stand-out topographic features. There's also a club house with traditional decor (think pincushion sofas and wood-paneled walls with hunter-green accents), and membership is available. Other recreational facilities include a well-equipped fitness center with modern cardio machines and free weights as well as facilities for volleyball, badminton, and tennis. The ITC Grand Bharat also has a branch of the ITC chain's signature Kaya Kalp - The Royal Spa, with a huge range of traditional Ayurvedic treatments as well as modalities from around the world. There's also a large pool with cabanas and submerged lounge chairs. There's a small indoor pool set in a lovely room with marble columns and arched windows.Dining options include the Aravali Pavilion, which offers buffets and a la carte Indian and international food at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The India Room features "colonial" cuisine, with a variety of Greek, Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British items on the menu, but it's only open for dinner on weekdays (and lunch and dinner on weekends). There's a poolside bar and lounge -- Apas Promenade -- and a more formal indoor bar -- Peacock Bar-- serving cocktails, wines, and whiskeys. Room service is also available. Business and event facilities include the Prithvi Ballroom, big enough for 200 guests, plus four smaller meeting rooms for 12 to 30 people. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and there's plenty of free on-site parking.