THE METROPOLITAN HOTEL AND SPA

DELHI: I've been a regular visitor at Metropolitan Hotel And Spa due to its award winning Japanese restaurant Sakura so when I had the opportunity to stay overnight for a formal review I was thrilled! And I'm so glad I accepted — the team pampers guests with luxe accommodation, quick service, sumptuous food and indulgent spa. Its location—walking distance from Connaught Place and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara—makes it ideal for leisure and business travellers, pilgrims and shoppers.

The location, in a quiet lane with dense foliage allows for space with a classic reception | All Hours restaurant 'Zing' | Japanese restaurant 'Sakura' | Indian restaurant 'Chutney' I gym, spa and outdoor pool! Coming to my stay, after a quick check-in at 1 p.m., I was escorted to a club room on the seventh floor where a welcome note, fruit platter, cookies and pastries awaited. What impressed me though was the spacious bathroom, closet, bright lighting, work space — and hi-speed wi-fi. Following a formal luncheon at Sakura where Chef Swapandeep Mukherjee suggested a bentou box of his signature dishes [click here for restaurant review] I hired a cab to seek blessings at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib since it was too hot to walk. Whenever I enter the gurudwara, I feel I have entered an oasis of peace far from the dissonance of the surroundings and I had moments of quiet connection where I felt blessed; I felt that my silent prayer had been heard. Back at the hotel by 6 p.m. the rest of the evening was spent undertaking 'Sports Massage' at Neoveda Spa [click here for spa review]. At 9 p.m., I went down to 'Chutney' to meet a close friend for dinner and wound up in my room by midnight.

The following morning I got out of bed with an eye on the watch, drank cups of strong coffee and went down to check out Craft House in the lower lobby. Their tagline 'Where The World Discovers India' was bang on. I loved the stoles, shawls and wraps crafted with fine pashmina; bags and mojaris; jewellery; Ayurveda skincare; premium tea from Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri. And more. I was fortunate that founder director Monisha Gupta was there and explained, ''we source quality products from different parts of India.'' Seeing my interest in skincare, she expressed, ''Natural ingredients like sandalwood, lavender, rose, cinnamon, jojoba, jasmine etc can be meditative and energising. Our products are rejuvenating and provide relief from stress, uplift mood and improve facial skin, hair and body." And then it was time to check out…

This review would be incomplete if I failed to mention the service was on-point. The management went out of its way to make me feel relaxed and the service was polite and efficient; which brings me to a few thoughts at check-out: warm hospitality, discreet luxury and personalised service will ensure guests return… time and again.

— JASMEEN DUGAL