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EXPERIENCE
GUIDE
HEART OF GOLD
The Taj Group of Hotels forays into Amritsar with Taj Swarna, a
hotel that bridges local flavours with international amenities
THERE ARE TWO PIT STOPS that
every visitor to Amritsar makes – the
Golden Temple and the Wagah Border.
We suggest you add Taj Swarna as the
third. The shiny new hotel offers the
best of Amritsari hospitality and food,
with chefs who have been trained
in dhabas. The elegantly appointed
rooms, 148 in total, are dressed in
goldens, greens and greys. In the
rooms, silk cushions, fresh lilies, Kohler
fittings and Forest Essentials’ mini-mes
add up to make a gentle lap of luxury.
A 22-feet chandelier hangs in the
giant lobby, where three eateries and
a bar are also located. The casual allday
diner is Grand Trunk, which brings
world cuisines to Amritsar. The local
offerings, such as the kulcha and the
lassi, are quite decent, but with one
eye kept on the calories. It is possible
that The Chinese Room is the best
Chinese restaurant in the city. From
the tangy kimchi to the lamb sauce,
every dish brings forth memories of
the Sichuan province. The Peg, the
lounge, has oversized purple armchairs
in which you can sink in and look
dreamily at the well-stocked bar. And,
The Patisserie, across the lobby, makes
melt-in-your-mouth dark chocolate
goodies.
From any Taj hotel, there are a
few staples you can expect: a warm
staff that treats your wishes like
commands from a king; exceptional
food selections; a well-equipped gym
and pool; and a Jiva spa. Taj Swarna
ticks off all these, and adds a few local
touches of its own. Visitors are greeted
with a tulsi mala, and bid adieu with
a spoonful of curd and sugar. A folk
sarangi player brings the Grand Trunk
alive with its earthy, haunting music.
And, framed panels of delicate phulkari
adorn the walls of the lobby.
In addition, its 5,000 sq ft lawn is
perfect to exchange wedding vows in,
and its 7,000 sq ft banquet hall ideal
to host large receptions in. All in all,
Taj Swarna offers the local and the
visitor a stay of remarkable comfort
and luxury.
148
MAY 2017