India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [146]
St. Laurn Panels of primary colors add a dash of fun to the steel and glass facade of this smart, contemporary hotel that opened in 2007. Step inside and it feels as though you’ve entered a compact version of a modern airport—in fact, even the staff uniforms resemble airline outfits. Lots of mirrors and massive windows help create an illusion of space; swaths of marble and straight, unfussy lines keep things looking slick and impeccably professional. The rooms are thoroughly modern, yet—thanks to a designer’s touch—rather handsome, with wood flooring, smart rugs, leather headboards, and glass walls separating the bathroom from the sleeping area. There’s a rooftop pool with 360-degree views of the city and leafy Koregaon Park; you can also get a good view from your room if you book an odd-numbered unit on floors five, six, or seven.
15A, Koregoan Rd., Pune 411 001. 020/4000-8000. Fax 020/4000-8099. wwww.stlaurnhotels.com. 63 units. Rs 12,000 executive double; Rs 13,000 superior double; Rs 14,000 deluxe double; Rs 1,000 extra bed. Rates include breakfast, airport transfers, and daily suit pressing. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 2 restaurant; lounge, bar; free airport transfers; tiny health club; rooftop pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (free)
Taj Blue Diamond At press time, Pune’s oldest five-star hotel was getting a well-deserved face-lift, especially in its public areas. Don’t despair at the grotty exterior, built before this was a Taj property—once you step inside, it’s a calm, elegant environment with genteel service and up-to-date accommodations geared towards high-powered business travelers (who comprise around 99% of the guests). Rooms have a more classic look than those at either St. Laurn or The O, with cream-colored walls, plenty of gleaming marble, and great big glassed-in showers (only the suites have tubs)—no tricksy color schemes or crazy lighting, but rather good views over Koregaon Park, especially from the upper floors. The North Indian specialty restaurant is one of the few upmarket places where you can try traditional Maharashtrian recipes.
11 Koregaon Rd., Pune 411 001. 022/6602-5555. Fax 022/6602-7755. www.tajhotels.com. bluediamond.pune@tajhotels.com. 111 units. Rs 16,500 deluxe double; Rs 19,000 deluxe premium double; Rs 25,000 deluxe suite; Rs 30,000 presidential suite; Rs 500 extra bed. Rates (except deluxe rooms) include breakfast and one-way airport transfer. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants, including Mystic Masala (see “Where to Dine,” below), bar; airport transfers (Rs 560; one way free except for deluxe rooms); health club and massage facility; pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV/DVD w/media hub, hair dryer, minibar, steam-shower (in suites), Wi-Fi (Rs 224/hr.; Rs 673/day).
Moderate/Inexpensive
Hotel Sunderban You’ll need to book well ahead if you intend staying at this old-fashioned budget hotel right next door to the Osho resort. The air-conditioned rooms, especially, fill up fast, and the midyear discounted rates (with more than 50% off some rooms) make this a popular choice with devotees checking in for prolonged periods. In its favor, the hotel retains much of that mellow charm that comes with age—there’s a large lawn (onto which the rooms and verandas face) and decor is an unusual mix of Art Deco, Pop Art, and functional Modernism. To really confuse matters, the most expensive, refurbished “studio” rooms in the newer wing are trying pretty hard to look contemporary (proper mattresses, marble floors, bright orange walls, and plasma TV).