THAT’S A WRAP. Thank you all for your support! I loved this blog. Loved shooting it, loved writing it, loved coordinating, contributing, and loved reading it as it held an emotional aspect – going back to the place you grew up in is a really weird mix of feelings. But truth be told, it was a lot of work, I was on the road a lot, daily keeping up with the motherhood tasks all while trying to post 1 fortnightly article and update the older ones.
On this vacation, I wanted to make the most of my time exploring the luxury destinations and dishes in my city. So, I bring to you my lavish and exclusive experience at the dreamy Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati. Taj group of hotels epitomize royalty, luxury & elegance and Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati offers a unique flavour of hospitality with world-class refinement while remaining deeply rooted in its local heritage.
I visited the hotel on the very busy Saturday afternoon. Upon arrival, I was welcomed with the offering of a Gamusa/Gamosa/Gamocha (a white hand-woven piece of cloth of cotton or silk, with red woven patterns or motifs on two sides and red stripes on the long border) that holds a unique identity of the Assamese Society and the trademark aarti, tikka of a Taj Hotel.
This is an incredible honor and the equivalent to getting a Hermès scarf imo..not a bag though (hint hint to hubby ;))
After the welcome tea and a sumptuous lunch at one of the grand in-house restaurants, SEVEN (an ode to the seven sister states of India, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh) it was time I took a tour of the hotel and its highlights and luxury services. Ms.Indranee, Public Relations Consultant, accompanied me for the blog tour. Her knowledge and passion for the Taj was evident and she answered all of my questions pertaining to the Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati (I ask a lot of questions…as Google can attest).
Menu that shows Northeast India at its artistic best
Highlights of my lunch at SEVEN.
-Salmon khorika with bambooshoot chutney.
-Penne Mandhania Pesto.
-Traditional Assamese Thali.
-Masor Tenga (fish in tomato gravy).
-Amita (Papaya) Khar.
-Black Rice (Manipuri) Kheer.
-Pork leg with bambooshoot and laai xaak.
-Assamese style mutton leg.
-Siddho Chicken.
-Rich pastry dessert from France called “Opera” (Butter cream
Almond sponge based on almond powder, egg white, flour ,vanilla essence, icing sugar, Coffee liquor, Black rice pudding, Ginger Belgium Chocolate Veloute)
(Special thanks to the kitchen and catering team Chef Biswarup, Pastry Chef Toufique and Debraj for all of their efforts in creating a truly special traditional full course meal with authentic dishes from Northeast India).
The other in-house restaurant UMAMI (do you guys know what that means? I didn’t….it’s the savory taste on our taste buds. One of the five basic tastes) serves a wide range of international cuisines including contemporary Chinese and Japanese.
Along with SEVEN and UMAMI, the property also has a lounge bar, OCTAVE. This place is well known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere as well as a convenient meeting spot for friends, families and work colleagues. All the restaurants can all be accessed from the Hotel’s lobby.
Akash and his team at Octave are awesome party starters. You will get a fantastic show combined with high quality cocktails/mocktails
Stunning range of Decanterlights at Octave
Photo Gallery
The architecture and experiences at Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati pay homage to the local culture. The entire experience revolves around the landscape, the local knowledge and folklore. The hotel weaves those characteristics to make our stay unique and fosters a sense of belonging immediately.
My tour included of one of the Deluxe Delight Rooms on the 6th floor. It had all standard amenities that you expect of a luxury hotel. The rooms boast of traditional carved wooden and bamboo furniture, royal interiors, abundantly stocked mini-bar, sleek workspace and picturesque hill and pool views. Can anything get better than this? (yes a week long stay!….on my wish list) I loved everything from the textured walls, to the elegant bed linens, everything was masterfully styled with motifs that symbolise the Ahom dynasty and is a beautiful amalgamation/confluence of all Northeastern tribes and generations. The perfect blend of modern with traditional roots.
Some More Highlights of my Room Tour
I have a great admiration for those hotels that provide Forest Essentials Bath & Body products so if the Taj group could get any higher in my opinion, they just did.
Apart from the easy accessibility and brilliant interiors, another major selling point of the hotel is the tranquil Jiva Spa (Taj’s award winning Indian and all-natural Spas) that offers soul stirring Ayurveda and Spa treatments. For an ultimate rejuvenating experience, treat your love and yourself with a “Sangam” (couple) Jiva Spa experience.
Look at these positive notes instead of looking on the floor during your spa treatments. How exotic!
If you are at the Jiva Spa, ask Esther for a detoxifying Vishuddhi chai (a lipsmacking yet calming concoction of lemon juice, jaggary and holy basil) before and after your massage.
Jiva treatments and therapies are inspired by the very meaning of the word Jiva (‘inner force’) which, for centuries, has been deeply rooted in India’s rich heritage of wellness.
WELLNESS AMENITIES AND DETAILS
-A large spa reception lounge
-1 Couple treatment suite & 2 Single treatment rooms
-A large fitness zone
-Wet and dry areas
-Experience shower
-Beauty zone for face, hand and feet, hair
-Dedicated manicure and pedicure zone
Tel: 0361 710 6710 (The spa is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm)
Email: jivaspavivanta.guwahati@tajhotels.com
This culturally rich hotel is a wonderful venue for artists and art lovers. Hastakshar’ artwork collections (a unique art gallery initiative by ‘First Hand Foundation’) are displayed around the hotel premises on the first floor next to Jiva Spa.
The works of these artists reflect the region’s diversity and its rich cultural, spiritual and natural heritage.
The Fitness Centre at Vivanta by Taj, Guwahati has everything you need to meet your health and fitness requirements on the go. The in-house gym has a trainer and a yoga instructor.
The gym setting is spacious, clean and provides a friendly atmosphere catering for all levels. Including the child in me ….who wanted to bounce on the exercise balls…what? It’s a valid form of exercise!
The spacious lawns, gardens and pool area on the hotel grounds offer a good walking opportunity. The hotel is tucked in vegetation and its gorgeous gardens greatly enhance the look of the place, especially the Halicornias, (also popularly known as yellow orchids, lobster-claw, wild plantain or false bird-of-paradise) the colors of which are an important source of attraction and are used for interior arrangement in the hotel.
This hotel has already become a landmark in Guwahati city. It is located in Khanapara and very close to the Secretariat in Dispur, the Capital of Assam and is conveniently situated near Guwahati-Shillong highway. The distance from the Airport is covered within an hour through the expressway, after taking a right turn from Jhalukbari crossing. The hotel is hospitable for both business and leisure travelers. It is a proven international business and conferencing destination as well as a great place to stop by –enroute to discovering the Northeast India.
I left the hotel with a sense of pride at my heritage and deep appreciation for a chain that is providing International modern standards of service but has not forgotten Indian standards of hospitality and roots. Oh I also left stuffed! The food was amazing!
If you enjoyed reading this post, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by sharing it on Facebook and Twitter. Come back here and share your travel and getaway stories.
Love love love
~Sanchali
MORE DETAILS ABOUT VIVANTA BY TAJ, GUWAHATI
Location: Nikita Complex, GS Road Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam – 781022 INDIA
Website: https://vivanta.tajhotels.com/en-in/guwahati-assam/
Email: Vivanta.guwahati@tajhotels.com
Tel: +91 361 7106710
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Vivanta-By-Taj-Guwahati-1460485220652281/
Instagram: @VivantabyTaj
Twitter: @VivantabyTaj
Photography By Sanchali 