India - 1
Hospitality in India carries personalised thoughtfulness way beyond par, as exemplified at Taj Santacruz in Bombay, a 279-room luxury sleeping factory that’s integral with the domestic airport terminal.
GM Vikas Parimoo was very much concerned with bespoke hospitality. In 120sm #604, the Grand Luxury Suite, a large tray bore a sugar-painted portrait of the overnight occupant, and a miniature edible Louis Vuitton bag, and a map of travels. See YouTube.
The hotel’s popular Italian restaurant, Rivea. Is entered past a low-set pond of much-prized koi. Rivea’s casual-smart, in creamy champagne colours with very tall-backed banquettes, crisp white linens, white RAK china. You’re brought martini glasses filled with Parmesan and assorted olives. Three breads that resemble Chelsea buns. Dips are olive oil, and tapenade, and a carrot purée.. add a glass of E. Guigal’s Tavel and then, finally, you’re ready to start your meal. It will finish with a surprise chocolate composition. See above.
There's something delightfully haunting about a flautist playing at breakfast, especially when the music wafts up through the six-floor-high glass-roofed atrium restaurant that is Taj Santacruz’s all-day dining (image below). The sound was absolutely haunting. Girlahead reluctantly went back up to #604. She closed her trusty gold Rimowa and had a final soaked almond, apparently the elixir for digestion, memory, weight loss, blood pressure, diabetes – let’s throw in longevity, for good measure.
A waited, to go to the terminal, where a minder waited. Before that, however, the admirable Vikas Parimoo, as upright as any general, waited, as if to make sure that the overnighter was really going to depart. Hospitality in India also includes happiness on arrival and at least a hint of sorrow when you leave.
