ITC Kohenur, Hyderabad – Stay & Experience

ITC Kohenur – the latest addition to the ITC’s Luxury Hotel portfolio literally looks like Kohinoor (world’s most infamous diamond) placed in a city of minarets and forts. Shaped like the Kohinoor diamond, the hotel draws inspiration from the same for all art, architecture and design elements all through the hotel.

Launched in the first week of June, the hotel is already touted as the game changer just like its neighboring giants IKEA, Microsoft, Oracle, and Google. Earlier last month, was happy to have been invited to a FAMtrip for a #RareAndPriceless experience. The Hotel on the outside is as modern as it appears while on the inside it is rooted in the traditions and history of the Hyderabad. A common feature across the hotel is that Kohinoor is everywhere – be it in the geometric jaali patterns on the hotel’s glass entrance, the diamond inspired chandeliers or even on the doors, carpets, and cushions in the room – the motif is everywhere. . The grandeur of Nizami culture radiates in all aspects.

 

 

The Hotel’s regal lobby is dominated by the royal accents – magnificent chandeliers, hanging art installations of golden bangles, white marbles decked with jali patterns and Zardozi – Persian embroidery, thereby making its own bold statement.

 

 

ITC Kohenur’s 271 rooms and suites in the city are set to be some of the largest in the city, all decked in rich colors and hues by the remarkable Jewels of Nizam – sapphire, emerald, turquoise, amber, and amethyst. My ITC One Category of the room on the 11^th floor came with a range of state-of-the-art-in-room amenities. The rooms are spacious beyond expectations – lounge by the plush couch over welcome treats of Osmania & Chand biscuits or the spectacular views of the Durgam Cheruvu Lake from the balcony.  My King sized bed came with a pillow menu for special sleep and also had a whole range of amenities for that extra pampering.

 

 

A single swipe on the room’s iPad is all that’s required to turn off the lights, bring the blinds down and turn on the Television. The most significant feature of the room is the built-in private butler door that’s incognito. Place any laundry, ironing or empty food trays there and before you know it, the items disappear without ever having to meet and greet the butler.

 

 

Vitamin C infused showers, mini bars with fresh juices, snacks, and a ‘Swasthya’ menu clubbed with a whole range of amenities makes the stay an absolute oasis of indulgence.

 

 

The exceptional stay is complemented by the Seven dining destinations. Sample inventive international and large regional fare at Golconda Pavilion – a 24/7 restaurant that is contemporary and yet takes inspiration by the boulders of the state. I loved the ‘local love’ repertoire featuring local and regional favorites from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

 

 

Dum Pukht’s Begum, the Indian fine dining is resplendent with arches and columns that transports you to the palace of the Nizam.  The interiors pay tribute to the Noor-ul–Ain diamond, one of the largest pink diamonds in the world, also discovered in Hyderabad. The menu is a royal feast with age-old recipes from the royal kitchens of Hyderabad and beyond that creates the magic of the bygone era. The Gucchi Pulao, Dum Pukht Koh-E-Awadh, Kakori Kebabs are some of the things I absolutely loved.

 

 

 

If Golconda Pavilion represents the robust food cooked across homes in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, Dum Pukth’s Begum is an example of the elegant repast enjoyed by the nobles of the erstwhile princely state of Hyderabad. Both come together at ITC Kohenur, Hyderabad to present a cohesive picture of the region’s richly diverse cuisine.

 

 

Yi Jing Chinese restaurant is all things creative. From the menu to its plating each element signifies progression and change and hence the name Yi Jing which means “book of changes” in Mandarin. The slow cooked duck, quinoa & tofu soup, mushrooms in truffle oil will make you want more.

 

 

The Peacock bar takes inspiration by Shah Jahan’s Peacock Throne on which the Kohinoor diamond had once been mounted. It is the place to unwind, under a stunning bas plaster peacock on the ceiling adorned with intricate tekri (glass work) in the azure, emerald and golden bronze tones of the peacock. Vibhour – the signature cocktail is a must try.

 

 

 

For the sweet tooth, there is Fabelle – a unique kind of luxury experience of handcrafted chocolate that activates your senses like never before. The ganache on offer is for the chocolate aficionado while the Elements range of handcrafted pralines will please everyone.

 

 

Ottimo Cucina Italiana which is ITC’s signature pan-Italian brand along with Skypoint Bar is scheduled to launch soon.

 

 

The hotel also offers the acclaimed Kaya Kalp – The Royal Spa in nearly 10000 square feet of space located across three floors that is set to launch soon.

 

The Hotel has nine meeting, banquet and conference spaces which include Deccan Stateroom and two outdoor venues, the Pearl Deck and the Golconda greens.

 

 

Living up to the brand’s ethos of “Responsible Luxury” ITC Kohenur has an impressive sustainable credentials – 100 percent LED Light, Solar energy, multi-glazed windows, recycling water for irrigation and using 40% less energy than the national average for a luxury hotel. All these credentials are sure to guarantee a LEED Platinum and GRIHA certification in the next few months.

 

 

All in all, ITC Kohenur has all the prerequisite hallmarks that a luxury traveler seeks and is aptly termed ‘The Hotel of the Future’.