Being a Mumbai girl, I have always had a certain image of Delhi. The same old image of what they show you in Bollywood films – the bylanes of Chandni Chowk, deeply fried chole bhature & how unsafe it is for women. And one of the primary worries was so where to stay in Delhi? I chose to stay at Hotel Andaz Delhi by Hyatt and happy to tell you that my Delhi perception has been changed. Aerocity, a commercial & a social spot near Delhi International Airport is a great place to find your base while in the capital.
The Airport Transfers
Having someone wait for you outside the airport with your name on the placard is one of the best feelings for any traveller. And the driving staff at Andaz did make me happy. I couldn’t wait to get to the hotel to dig into some butter chicken & chole bhature, the city is known for. The wait wasn’t as long as the hotel is only a 10-minute drive away from the airport.
The Lobby & Restaurants
It’s not a surprise that Delhi likes it grand and Andaz Delhi is no different. The hotel has a casual & friendly approach with an open-ended reception desk. The splash of colours on the wall, kitschy art and hangings from the ceiling added personality to the hotel.
It was so quiet that I could hear from my stomach growling & rumbling for some authentic ‘Dilli Wala’ Butter Chicken. Even before I could get to the room, I wanted to attend to my hunger. Having enquired about the restaurants, I figured, that the hotel offers three restaurants:
1. Annamaya
When in Andaz, I just had to visit the famous AnnaMaya, which has actually been listed as one of the best 5-star restaurants in Delhi.
This 24/7 European style food hall is known for serving delicious farm to table meals prepared from locally sourced artisanal ingredients.
And since I’m in Delhi, the choice was obvious for me and I chose to dig into Butter Chicken & Keema Pav. Both of these dishes made me happy but what truly refreshed me is the Peach Lemonade!
2. Soul Pantry
Soul Pantry in Andaz is known for its nutritious flatbreads, refreshing salads and healthy beverages prepared from seasonal local ingredients. They also have healthy and fresh wellness bowls, which will surely encourage you to opt for sustainable and mindful living.
I was taken aback by the aroma of freshly baked pizza, cakes and bakery goodies using healthy substitutes. I definitely planned on holding my next meetings here thanks to the peaceful environment and delicious food.
3. The Hong Kong Club
Andaz Delhi’s Hong Kong Club is a Chinese inspired, bar, restaurant and lounge which serves modern Cantonese dishes. The peppy live music, modern Chinese interiors and beautiful ambience makes this a favourite amongst Delhiites when it comes to experiencing a happening nightlife. Well, when I came to know about this nightlife spot at Andaz, my dinner plans were sorted.
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The Room
My room at Andaz, I have to admit was that gorgeous. The wooden flooring, modernly designed bathrooms, unique artworks decorating by room just breathed Delhi. I even had a work desk where I could work comfortably. The best part about the room were the soundproofed walls, where one could enjoy the complete silence and experience the breathtaking views of the courtyard.
Other Amenities
I pampered myself to the lip-smacking food at AnnaMaya and even experienced a relaxing time in my gorgeous room. But I longed to pamper myself here during my staycation. So the next thing on my to-do list was to explore the amenities of this hotel. It was a sunny, breezy evening so I took a stroll around the beautiful swimming pool. After which, I treated myself to a spa experience at Andaz Spa. They have an innovative apothecary approach to their spa practices, which was rejuvenation at its best.
Dinner At Hong Kong Club
Asian food is my ultimate favourite and I have saved my appetite for this moment! With live music & a lounge vibe, I gorged on dim sum, chicken hot garlic & some rice! The dim sums were soft and had a delicious filling of meat and veggies.
Food pampering is totally incomplete without dessert right? I also ordered their Tipsy Chocolate Brownie with Old Monk and Caramelised Hazlenut Gelato. It was yum and the best part was that I ate it all by myself.
The happening streets of Aero City, beautiful stay at Andaz, delicious food at AnnaMaya, Soul Pantry and Hong Kong Club definitely changed my perception of Delhi. During my stay here, I had a relaxing and luxurious experience while still getting the slice of Delhi, that the Mumbaikar in me imagines. So let me tell you that when you’re in Delhi, do drop by at Aerocity for a fun, blissful experience. And let me also tell you from my personal experience that Solo Travel Makes Sense Whether You’re Employed, Married Or Full Of Social Commitments