Hotels & Resorts: Renaissance Lucknow Hotel

Renaissance Lucknow Hotel Compendium of Well Curated Confections in Lucknow

Text by JUHAN KAMARUDDIN Images by RENAISSANCE LUCKNOW HOTEL

Renaissance Lucknow Hotel is a three-year old, five-star lifestyle deluxe hotel, strategically located in Gomti Nagar, the largest planned residential colony in India. It commands attention as the tallest hotel in the city, offering excellent Indian hospitality that revolves on the central idea that the guest is God, hence should be treated accordingly.

Though the exterior is unmistakably contemporary, the hotel’s special characteristics are drawn from the soul of Lucknow, the city where it is based, which is the capital of Uttar Pradesh in India. Dubbed as the city of Nawabs (titular native governors who led lavish lifestyle during the time when the Moguls ruled India beginning late 16 th century up until early 18 th century; then endured until the British seized control of Lucknow in the middle of 19 th century), this immersive ‘city of many splendours’ is a street food haven. Jaded travellers will be quick to realise that Lucknow is a destination that remains authentic and does not feel touristy.

Bright and efficient

As guests step into Renaissance Lucknow Hotel’s airy lobby, they are bound to be wowed by the space’s brightness, courtesy of the large floor-to-ceiling glass panels that permit generous amounts of natural light. It seems that one of the hotel’s defining design principles is to let in as much daylight as possible to its public spaces and guestrooms to enliven its interiors and uplift guests’ mood.

Though the hotel has only 111 rooms, all floors are efficiently served by four fast elevators, so guests do not need to wait long to get into their rooms even when the hotel is full. The rooms are remarkably sharp and cladded in polished marble. Each room comes with spacious bathroom that include handy magnifying mirror, undeniably useful for shaving closely or putting on make-up. For extra privacy, the bathroom’s transparent shower glass panels can be made opaque at the flip of the ‘Smart Glass’ switch located on the same wall where the magnifying mirror is attached. The bedding is plush too, promising restful slumber. In the evenings, the hotel’s efficient yet unobtrusive housekeeping staff delivers turndown service, turning the room snugger. In short, Renaissance Lucknow Hotel’s interiors and service live up to the expectations of today’s astute travellers.

Food and beverage options

Besides possessing outstanding service and posh, clean design, another hallmark of Renaissance Lucknow Hotel is its extensive food and beverage options dished out by the hotel’s two food and beverage outlets: the all-day dining restaurant aptly called L14, located on the hotel’s 14 th floor (of course); and the elegant dinner-only outlet named Sepia on the third floor.

L14 is a light-filled and smart-looking space with expansive windows overlooking the Gomti River. The space is bedecked with naturally muted and earthen tones, perhaps to be in harmony with the red sandstone material used extensively in the construction of Ambedkar Memorial Park that can be seen yonder, or to simply soothe diners’ senses so that they can calmingly savour their meals. Honestly, I enjoy having breakfast at L14 while taking in the view of the riverfront and Gomti Nagar surroundings early morning, especially over delicious made-to-order eggs benedict.

Sepia, on the other hand, opens only for dinner and serves what locals refer to as dastarkhan, a traditional space and meal setting where food is served in a prescribed way that elevates guests’ dining experience. Comfortably accommodates up to 78 diners at any one time, Sepia is a fine-dining establishment where guests can indulge in Lucknow’s specialities that are part of a local culinary heritage called Awadhi cuisine – mainly influenced from Mughal cooking techniques with Northern Indian cooking pattern – without having to venture out into the city. The cuisine is known to have existed since the times of the Sultanate of Delhi (early 13 th until 16 th century) even before the Mughals when the city and surrounding region was still called Awadh. Sepia’s flattering dishes such as Nalli Nihari (flavourful lamb-based dish slowly cooked overnight in lamb stock) and Murg Korma (chicken cooked in rich Mughlai gravy) offer the chance for guests to dine opulently like the Nawabs.

For pre- or post-prandial drinks, guests should head to the fabulously cosy Sky Bar on 16 th floor, which opens from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. This spot is fast becoming popular in Lucknow for people to unwind indoors or al fresco from evening until night, especially when the weather is cooler and drier beginning October until March. Be sure to try out Sky Bar’s refreshing cocktails and mocktails served up by experienced bartenders while taking in the memorable bird’seye view of Lucknow. Sky Bar can hold up to 200 persons, ideal for intimate gatherings and parties.

Other facilities

The hotel’s 22,000-foot squared Ren Garden is where weddings take place at the hotel, a space that can be converted into a spectacular venue for weddings or large-scale events that can accommodate up to 1,500 people. The hotel also has indoor space complete with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment.

Renaissance Lucknow Hotel has the one and only infinity pool to be found in the city, which opens from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., located on the same level as Sky Bar, affording guests with panoramic view of Lucknow while swimming. Another way for guests to remain in shape is to access the hotel’s compact and cutting-edge 24-hour gym, located on 15 th floor, one level below the infinity pool and Sky Bar.

Exploring Lucknow with Renaissance Lucknow Hotel

To make the most of their trip to Lucknow, guests of Renaissance Lucknow Hotel are highly recommended to utilise the hotel’s Navigator service, which offer experiences that are unique to the destination.

One place that guests should visit to understand Lucknow is Hazratganj , a shopping area filled with the city’s hidden gems like the almost 160-year old perfume shop called Sugandhco (https://scentkart.com/), Royal Cafe (www.royalcafe.in) that sells scrumptious popular snack called basket chaat, Ada Designer Chikan studio (https://www.adachikan.com/) that showcases exquisite handmade embroidered fabrics called chikankari, and popular street food like the souffle-like malai makan and the satisfyingly sweet kulfi and ras gula. Guests are sure to have a rewarding trip when they visit Hazratganj based on the Navigator’s recommendations.

All lovers of heritage buildings who stay at Renaissance Lucknow Hotel should also visit Bara Imambara (http:// uptourism.gov.in/post/bara-imambara), a complex comprising ornate arches, ramparts, mosque and hall with excellent acoustics purposely built to commemorate the fallen grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Hussein. It was completed in 1797 A.D. under the patronage of Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, the Governor who moved the capital of Awadh region from Faizabad to Lucknow in 1775. Architecture lovers are bound to be awed by the entire complex’s grandeur, ingenuity and timelessness, including the imposing gateway that can be seen in the distance called Rumi Darwaza. To enter this site, guests need to wear modestly with full length clothes (no sleeveless tops, shorts or revealing attires are allowed).

What else you can do in Lucknow? Renaissance Lucknow Hotel Navigator can also arrange for guests to visit the following unique places:

• Explore the grounds of La Martiniere College (http:// www.lamartinierelucknow.org/) to witness the students’ life in school and pay homage to the founder of the college General Claude Martin, a Lyon-born French adventurer who amassed great wealth while serving under Nawab Shuja-ud-Daulah and his son Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula by visiting his grave at the basement of a neo-classical palace called Constantia, which is part of La Martiniere College. General Martin is hailed as one of the city’s influential figures who helped turn Lucknow into an important city, especially after Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula moved the capital of Awadh to Lucknow from Faizabad.

• Have lunch at the ornate, boldly decorated and whimsical Cappucino Blast (https://www.facebook.com/ cappuccinoblastlucknow/), which claimed to be the oldest café in town and has been attracting the well and good since its inception for the last 19 years serving satiating westerninspired dishes like tacos and pizzas.

Conclusion

Through Renaissance Lucknow Hotel’s strong sense of place and excellent service, the hotel enriches guests’ experience by living up to Lucknow’s splendour and sophistication, making it the ideal accommodation of choice among discerning travellers who want to connect to the city’s rich past and current prosperity in a classy manner.