Garden of Eden

The green environs, the luxury of space and friendly attitude of the staff of Park Plaza Royal Palms, Mumbai wins over Savio Rodrigues.

Nestled in Mumbai city's largest green patch, the Aarey Milk Colony in the north western suburb of Goregaon, Park Plaza Royal Palms set amidst 240 acres of beautifully endowed landscape resembles, metaphorically speaking, the ‘Garden of Eden’. Driving down the tree canopied Aarey Road and up to the property, perched on a hill is in itself an enchanting experience, one, which makes you feel like you are vacationing in an exotic location down south. Entering the hotel, which commenced operations on 1st of this month, is like walking into a princely palace. While most hotel lobbies choose to offer its visitors an opportunity to feel claustrophobic, Park Plaza Royal Palms prefers to let its guests feel engulfed in the vastness of the lobby that is adorned with simple yet interesting paintings and artifacts. The princely feeling of adequate space follows you right through the property, even the 223 rooms exude a similar aura, whether it's the Presidential Suite, Luxury Suite, Executive Suite, Twin Rooms or King Deluxe rooms. And the décor, which is combination of Chinese and Thai aesthetics adds to the royalty.

Strolling around this grand property, you feel elated and enchanted by the simplicity in which the whole hotel is adorned. ‘It’s not loud’ as the popular modern phrase goes. For your recreation, try a hand at Golf, it indeed is an interesting sport and with the property sporting its own 18-hole golf course, the experience was simply fascinating. Though, I must confess, I am certainly a long long way from being Tiger Woods. Those that have an affinity to water can have a whale of time splashing around the two outdoor swimming pools, one looking absolutely divine as it is situated on a huge balcony like facade overlooking the green hills of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. And for all those budding Sanias, Leanders and Maheshs, serve your best aces on the two in-house sprawling tennis courts or sweat it out at squash courts. If its rejuvenation that you seek, try the Ayurvedic Spa aptly titled, Jasmine - a flower that symbolises rejuvenation. You could choose from the traditional Kerala Ayurvedic massage, Thai massage or Swedish massage therapies. Following the massages, it is a must that one experiences the steam, sauna and Jacuzzi.

If all this activity has whipped up an appetite, you could feast at either the Dawat-E-Khaas-the exclusive Indian restaurant or Seven Spices-the fine dining Thai restaurant or even better you could relish some Lebanese or Italian cuisine at the Fountain Café, which is the 24 hour coffee shop. But the evening outing at the property needs to be experienced at the 19th Hole - the trendy bar facing the golf course. But if there is one aspect of my weekend getaway at Park Plaza Royal Palms that will always be memorable, is the attitude of staff. Never once did I get a feeling that staff were actually employees but it felt more like they were a part of the family as they treated visitors likewise. Truly an experience amidst friends…