ITC Windsor Manor is the grand dame of Bengaluru ideally situated in a diplomatic area close to the business centre and golf course. The hotel has an old world charm reminiscent of the Raj era and its grounds are amongst the largest I have seen in any city hotel.
The check-in process was smooth though even after a couple of months of my visit, the Starwood points are still not reflecting in my statement. But this is a common grouse I have with most leading hotel chains like Hilton, Shangri La et al. They all need to be followed up with regarding credit of loyalty points. Back to Windsor Manor. They upgraded us to a room with a patio which afforded us to have tea, snacks, breakfast in the lush lawns of the hotel. The room was of a decent size but the bathroom could definitely have been bigger. The tub would be a squeeze for anyone taller than 5"2'. Toiletries are from the ITC owned Flama Di Wills. Mini bar was well stocked and a clothes horse is a nice touch for a business hotel. Bed is comfortable and like most deluxe hotels, a pillow menu is available for your special needs.
Breakfast is served in the greenhouse styled coffee shop - Raj Pavilion. A complete assortment of south Indian and continental dishes are served here. There are live cooking stations for eggs and dosas. The vadas (doughnut shaped deep fried snack) are amongst the best I've had anywhere. Apart from freshly squeezed juices, the choice of tender coconut was a welcome addition. Overnight soaked almonds kept on every table is another nice touch. All condiments are from ITC owned 'Kitchens of India' range which is yet another interesting example of ITC's internal cross-selling.
Fine dining is the highlight of any stay in an ITC hotel. Amongst all Indian hotel chains, I would consistently rank ITC #1 in the F&B department. Windsor Manor is no exception. They have as many as 3 specialty Indian / Mughlai restaurants apart from Raj Pavilion and Dublin (Irish pub). While we could not sample the fare at Dum Pukht Jolly Nabobs due to admission restrictions for children under 12 years, the same menu can be enjoyed at the poolside Royal Afghan restaurant. The menu here is similar to what you'd expect at Bukhara in New Delhi and the ambience (waiters dressed in Northern Frontier attire and guests being encouraged to eat with their hands with bibs placed around the neck) is similar as well minus the pool side open air setting. Apart from my usual gripe on wines being overpriced in India for which I cannot hold ITC responsible, I had no complaints with the food. We enjoyed the Bengaluru weather with Kastoori kabab (egg coated chicken kababs), Raan (lamb cooked in tandoor), Daal Makhani and naans alongwith desserts like phirni, kulfi. The service was attentive and discreet. Sensing one of the children was feeling cold and sleepy, a staff member promptly provided a pillow and blanket after making a 'bed' out of two chairs joined together. Service at its thoughtful best I would say.
I made a visit to Kaya Kalp - the spa at Windsor Manor and if there was one aspect of the hotel which was disappointing, this was it. I opted for the Ayurvedic Shirodhara treatment wherein a stream of medicated oil is poured continuously on the forehead followed by a head and face massage. The treatment if correctly done is absolute bliss and I've enjoyed quite a few of them in Kerala. The therapist was a Thai lady which is a surprise for an Ayurvedic treatment. Nothing wrong with her technique but communication was a bit of an issue. The oil seemed to be more scented than its original Kerala cousin. I guess some guests find the smell of the Kerala oils very overwhelming and Kaya Kalp has toned it down to the level of an aroma oil. The head massage was nothing out of the ordinary. I wouldn't be returning to the spa anytime soon.
Overall, I would rate ITC Windsor Manor 9/10 for being a hotel experience worth having in your kitty if you are gastronomically inclined and a demanding traveller.
The check-in process was smooth though even after a couple of months of my visit, the Starwood points are still not reflecting in my statement. But this is a common grouse I have with most leading hotel chains like Hilton, Shangri La et al. They all need to be followed up with regarding credit of loyalty points. Back to Windsor Manor. They upgraded us to a room with a patio which afforded us to have tea, snacks, breakfast in the lush lawns of the hotel. The room was of a decent size but the bathroom could definitely have been bigger. The tub would be a squeeze for anyone taller than 5"2'. Toiletries are from the ITC owned Flama Di Wills. Mini bar was well stocked and a clothes horse is a nice touch for a business hotel. Bed is comfortable and like most deluxe hotels, a pillow menu is available for your special needs.
Breakfast is served in the greenhouse styled coffee shop - Raj Pavilion. A complete assortment of south Indian and continental dishes are served here. There are live cooking stations for eggs and dosas. The vadas (doughnut shaped deep fried snack) are amongst the best I've had anywhere. Apart from freshly squeezed juices, the choice of tender coconut was a welcome addition. Overnight soaked almonds kept on every table is another nice touch. All condiments are from ITC owned 'Kitchens of India' range which is yet another interesting example of ITC's internal cross-selling.
Fine dining is the highlight of any stay in an ITC hotel. Amongst all Indian hotel chains, I would consistently rank ITC #1 in the F&B department. Windsor Manor is no exception. They have as many as 3 specialty Indian / Mughlai restaurants apart from Raj Pavilion and Dublin (Irish pub). While we could not sample the fare at Dum Pukht Jolly Nabobs due to admission restrictions for children under 12 years, the same menu can be enjoyed at the poolside Royal Afghan restaurant. The menu here is similar to what you'd expect at Bukhara in New Delhi and the ambience (waiters dressed in Northern Frontier attire and guests being encouraged to eat with their hands with bibs placed around the neck) is similar as well minus the pool side open air setting. Apart from my usual gripe on wines being overpriced in India for which I cannot hold ITC responsible, I had no complaints with the food. We enjoyed the Bengaluru weather with Kastoori kabab (egg coated chicken kababs), Raan (lamb cooked in tandoor), Daal Makhani and naans alongwith desserts like phirni, kulfi. The service was attentive and discreet. Sensing one of the children was feeling cold and sleepy, a staff member promptly provided a pillow and blanket after making a 'bed' out of two chairs joined together. Service at its thoughtful best I would say.
I made a visit to Kaya Kalp - the spa at Windsor Manor and if there was one aspect of the hotel which was disappointing, this was it. I opted for the Ayurvedic Shirodhara treatment wherein a stream of medicated oil is poured continuously on the forehead followed by a head and face massage. The treatment if correctly done is absolute bliss and I've enjoyed quite a few of them in Kerala. The therapist was a Thai lady which is a surprise for an Ayurvedic treatment. Nothing wrong with her technique but communication was a bit of an issue. The oil seemed to be more scented than its original Kerala cousin. I guess some guests find the smell of the Kerala oils very overwhelming and Kaya Kalp has toned it down to the level of an aroma oil. The head massage was nothing out of the ordinary. I wouldn't be returning to the spa anytime soon.
Overall, I would rate ITC Windsor Manor 9/10 for being a hotel experience worth having in your kitty if you are gastronomically inclined and a demanding traveller.
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