We arrived at midnight in Lucknow after an exhaustive 14-hour road journey from Kumbh Mela. This only meant that I belatedly discovered the many modern elements of Hyatt Regency Lucknow which blended in beautifully with Awadhi charms.

Within the Hyatt premises

One evening my friends and I took the elevator to the Penthouse, or their rooftop Chivas bar. It overlooks the city’s Gomti Nagar locality and has an elaborate bar counter. Sudam, bar manager, handed me a list of 14 cocktails inspired by Uttar Pradesh. My first choice was easy: NRL Ginras. This gin and tonic concoction was accompanied by flavours of betel leaf. Next I tried the Nawabi Swag. The gin in my cocktail was mixed with jasmine tea and pounded cucumber.

Hyatt Regency excels in its food. The night we arrived at cinderella hour, the hotel laid down an exquisite Awadhi buffet. From melt-in-the-mouth galawati, to the likes of Awadhi murgh korma, gosht dum nihari and Wajid Ali Shah ke baghare baingan, and finally shahi tudka and kheer in desserts, this meal was a perfect spread for the uninitiated to Awadhi food. Midnight meals don’t form a part of my routine though I did hog on the kheer.

The following morning at breakfast, I gorged on crisp jalebis from their live cooking counter. Of course they had an elaborate spread of Continental and Asian essentials. I remained loyal to masala chai and jalebis so much that the waitstaff brought them for me the following mornings, even before I asked them.

Read: Photo Story: A Morning in Varanasi

Stitching heritage in the old city

On our last day, we decided to explore the famous Lucknowi Chikankari, on suggestion from the hotel. At Chowk, Mamta Varma of Bhairvi’s Chikan welcomed us. Varma has been in the business for 33 years and has about nine centres where approximately five to 15 women work for her. She walked us through the entire process of Chikan, a woman dominated craft. Men are involved in the washing and printing, where necessary. Varma told us about the struggles of encouraging these women to work and earn a salary of this traditional craft. It is they who are skilled and yet, don’t realise the onus and significance of the craft.

Read: Guide to Ardh Kumbh Mela 2019, Prayagraj

Practical information:
-Hyatt Regency’s rooms are modern and stylish—electronic access cards, twin beds with sleek headboards, a sectional with contrasting rust-coloured cushions, flat screen television and a closet attached to the bathroom. They add in traditional elements like Nihari masala as a gift in the room.
-Hyatt Regency Lucknow has three F&B outlets. Rocca is their all-day dining restaurant, which serves Indian and Italian. LukJin serves Asian food, particularly Thai and Chinese. And my favourite, UP’s is the lounge-bar where their signature cocktails are available.
-I stayed in a twin-bedded room. Tariff for this category starts at ₹5500++ per night. I got it at a discounted rate of ₹4700++ per night, with breakfast. They have multiple offers through the year. Check their website to know more.
-Their Siddha Spa has traditional Ayurvedic treatments. It adjoins to an outdoor swimming pool and a fully functional indoor gym.
-What stood out for me at Hyatt Regency Lucknow was their outstanding service. Shivam from the bar and Shubham at breakfast deserve a special mention here.

Read: Gangotri, A Journey to the Beginning

Do you like your stay at Hyatt Regency hotels?

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