Welcomhotel; Staycation at Bella vista

Staycation at Bella vista

Chandigarh has always been applauded for being a clean and meticulously planned city where people are pleasant and drivers obey traffic rules. The pollution and smog levels are considerably lower than in cities like Delhi and Mumbai which makes golf at the Chandigarh Golf Course or a run around Sukhna Lake a real luxury.

The city was once used by travellers as a pitstop to retire and refuel before they continued up into the hills like Mashobra, Manali, Shimla, Kasol. However, things have changed in the last couple of years and the city has opened quite a few restaurants, cafes, places of interests and hotels where people can relax and unwind.

I visited the Welcomhotel Bella Vista in Panchkula for two days- a property managed by the ITC group. I was appointed the suite that had a private plunge pool with beautiful vistas of the mountains and the lush landscape Chandigarh is known for. The pool suite comes fitted with the latest amenities, a built in jacuzzi, lounge chairs for relaxation and a treadmill for those of you who like to workout even on holiday. The suite is the perfect thing to splurge on if you are visiting Chandigarh with your family or a bunch or friends or your partner because you can dine and swim in seclusion and can avail all the facilities of the hotel, if you wish to venture out.

The hotel has a bar called Brio where you can unwind in the evenings with a glass of whiskey or a hot toddy. You can also read a book or play pool if you choose to. ‘Serenade’ the all day dining restaurant serves both buffet and a la carte and the best homemade sorbet and gelato this side of the suez canal. You have to try the desserts while you are here and inform the chef of your flavour preferences if any, and he would be happy to customise a dessert for you and your friends. I hear that the hotel plans to open a rooftop restaurant in the next couple of months (which I’m waiting on) and I couldn’t tell you the details just yet but you should watch their page for more updates here.

The room is beautifully furnished and has a very traditional meets contemporary vibe. The bed is super comfortable and I sank right in as I watched television and caught up on #ointb #newgirl and the new season of #got. I went in for a quick workout to the gym so I could work up an appetite. The gym, albeit small, has everything you need to stay fit. I spent 30 minutes doing a circuit, stretched and jumped in for a dip into the pool at sunset. the I had informed the chef of my allergies and dietary preferences upon check in. The executive Chef Duddy Manohar has won many accolades by critics and restaurants in Dubai and Delhi before he started his stint at Bellavista. With over two decades of culinary experience, he is well adapted to most cuisines and can tailor make bespoke menus for all kinds of clients with dietary restrictions. Chandigarh residents had sung praises of his Hungarian goulash which I was very keen to try but the chef had already prepared my meal that evening. I ordered for in-room dining as I was by myself and the team had prepared a beautiful grilled chicken, a gorgeous mixed leaf salad and a sugar free creme brulee that was torched to perfection. They were a little surprised to learn that I had finished all three plates when they sent someone to clear. I caught up on some reading, finished some work and retreated to bed early that night. The bed was very comfortable and the hotel has a choice of pillows to choose from if you require neck or back support.

The team behind the Welcomhotel Bella Vista believe that luxury is not measured by exaggerated opulence and marble per square inch, but rather by simpler things like waking up and watching the sun rise behind the Shivalik hills, taking a morning swim without leaving your room, eating food thats cooked just the way you like it and feeling at home even when you are not. Special thanks to Prithvideep Singh for organising this experiential visit, the GM Avinash Deshmukh and the entire team at the hotel. I had a really pleasant stay and it was a pity that I couldn’t share the experience with my friends and loved ones. I will be back soon but this time for a long weekend so I can watch the sunset and sunrise from the pool deck, order a tub full of your homemade ice cream and pop in for a quick visit to the spa.

The spa is outsourced to an agency but the massage therapists can do a really good head massage, neck and shoulder massage and aroma therapy ritual. If you are tired from a lot of driving around and are looking to give your feet a little R&R or some pampering – you can opt for a foot massage followed by an express pedicure. The hotel also has a large shopping arcade on the lobby level with international labels selling gorgeous swimsuits, hats and kaftans, if you wish to indulge in retail therapy without leaving the hotel.

The verdict- the food here is excellent and better than most restaurants and cafes in Chandigarh and Panchkula particularly their fish and chicken. I would make another trip just for the desserts and the homemade ice creams. The rooms are well appointed and if you are visiting, you shouldn’t think twice but book one of the pool suites for a memorable weekend. The staff is courteous, warm and friendly and happy to organise a day trip to Sukhna Lake or the markets, if you wish. Also, the hotel is strategically located so you are only about 15 minutes away from the railway station and about 20 minutes away from the malls incase you want to step out for a movie or drinks with friends. I highly recommend the Bellavista as a staycation property in Panchkula for your next trip here.

About ITC Hotels-
ITC Hotels, India’s premier chain of Luxury Hotels, offers the best of east and west – traditional
Indian hospitality and contemporary international standards. Its presence in over 70
destinations with more than 90 hotels across the country, addresses the needs of both business
and leisure travellers.

Quick Notes: Bella Vista
WelcomHotel Bella Vista
Where: S.M.-8, Sector 5, Panchkula, Haryana
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ITCHotels/
Website: http://www.itchotels.in/Hotels/welcomhotelbellavista.aspx
Tariff: INR 5000++