Being elegant and subtle is an art that only a few dare to learn. But those who dare, those are the ones who win.
The Renaissance, Mumbai is one such place that dares to do and think beyond the usual. I was lucky enough to live a day of my life at this sprawling property in Powai. WIthout further ado, here is my take on the place.
Property Location: 5/5
Centrally located in Powai, the Renaissance Hotel by Mariott is situated at a prime location, not only on account of its accessibility but also the property’s proximity to the Powai Lake! The first thing that strikes any person who walks into the Renaissance, Powai is the breath taking view and the aura of serenity. Amidst 15 acres of lush greenery, this luxurious property is spread over 230,000 sq ft area.
Hospitality: 4.8/5
Thoroughly awed by its serene ambience, as I walked in every staff of the Renaissance greeted me with a genuine smile. From the security check wishing you a good day, till the receptionists helping you with your keys and assigning a porterage service for your luggage - every single person was a delight to speak to. Even the people who were assigned to the duty of room services, stop to wish you a good day as you pass by. The reason why this does not get a 5/5 is my sincere belief that no human is perfect, although I must admit: I am hugely tempted to give this property a straight 5/5!
Room: 5/5
Being a lover of heights, I didn’t mind being booked on the 7th floor of the hotel. Swiped my key to gain access to the room, and even words cannot describe the treat I was in for. Bringing in more than just a fair amount of light in the room, the french window overlooked the wide expanse of the Powai lake and gave me a birds eye view of the city across it. Needless to say, as the sun set over the western horizon, the view just became better with each passing hour. The lights became twinkly in the distance, and the room lights just added to the whole fantastic ambience.
Spa: 5/5
I can’t even begin to describe the experience when it all starts to come back to me. The thorough professionality of the assistants, their manner of greeting; the Quan Spa at the Renaissance bowled me over with their super warm personality. In fact I had a bad throat and had lost my voice - an attendant actually gave me a mixture of lemon and mint tea to heal my throat! Now that’s a gesture you don’t see everyday. My masseuse Gladys Dias, was a real professional and she made sure that I was comfortable enough with every step of the Swedish massage I was booked for. Amazingly, she made me feel great not only with her in depth knowledge of the art of massage, but also with the simple manner in which she greeted me and made sure my comfort levels never dropped. Moreover, the ambience inside the spa was maintained with low lighting, positive auras imparted by the zen stones and minimal wall decorations with subtle colors.
Food: 4/5
Famished, after checking in, I had my reservations at the Lake View Cafe. A quaint place with a spell bound view of the Powai Lake. Needless to say, I was in to be treated to a buffet of various cuisines, from freshly made italian pasta, to live chat counters that boated of being better than their Juhu counterparts, and a choice of main course options. To make this perfect, there was an array of all-you-can-eat dessert counter! But alas, by the time I could finish my meal, I was informed that the dessert counter had already started to close up for the day, and so, I had to hurry! For dinner, I was invited to the Emperor’s court. Impeccably designed, with minute attention to detail - this place is where you go to if you have to celebrate something truly special.
Next morning, finding my way through the jigsaw that is the Renaissance, I made my way to Fratelli Fresh. Obvious by name, everything off the breakfast buffet embodied the true meaning of the word ‘fresh’. To ensure that I was well attended to, Mr Kulveer - sous chef at Fratelli fresh visited me to have a quick chat about the food I had ordered. Personalisation is on point here, at Fratelli fresh.
All in all, saying that the Renaissance is just a five star property in the heart of Mumbai would be purely an understatement. Cross my heart, this property ticks all the right boxes. To celebrate a special occasion, the Renaissance is the most apt place you will find. Or even if want to indulge in fruitful business conversations in the heart of Mumbai while being away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Or even when you want to give your corporate self a bit of a treat at the Quan Spa - Renaissance is that place where all your needs are met, with a smile.
Author : Roshal Mascarenhas