Rolling In Luxury

Can a king’s life be borrowed for a couple of days? What does such a life entail? Apart from his obvious responsibilities of keeping the kingdom content and ensuring that he is not murdered in bed by someone with an eye on the throne, his life (and lifestyle) is generally presumed to be synonymous with luxury. While not all of us can opt to be king or queen as if it were a profession, the well-moneyed can certainly adopt their high-end living at one of these luxury suites.  

Speaking of kings, the Maharaja Suite at The Leela Palace Udaipur is not short of its name in the royalty it promises to offer. A palace hotel located in the city of palaces and lakes that evokes a long-gone era of majesty and heritage, this premium safe haven is a fine combination of royal splendour, larger-than-life comfort. At ₹6.8 lakh per night, the suite provides a spectacular view of the Aravali mountains and also the mystic lake Pichola.

“The elegant and contemporary interiors of the suite are embellished with traditional art and artisan crafts inspired by the rich cultural heritage of Mewar, Rajasthan,” describes Rajesh Namby, general manager, The Leela Palace Udaipur. With 3,585 sq ft of floor space, the suite comprises a master bedroom with a separate walk-in wardrobe, a king-size bath tub complete with a jacuzzi, a private spa studio, a spacious plunge pool and access to the sprawling courtyards. “Our experienced team of chefs and stewards shall see to it that every detail is taken care of, for an unforgettable memory,” adds Namby. And if that's not enough, the accommodation also comes with its own personalised butler service.

But what if you happen to be a person of business and prefer something more slick and less royal, but equally opulent? The Grand Presidential Suite at ITC Maurya in New Delhi would arguably qualify. Affixed with state-of-the-art business features, the suite holds the record of hosting personalities such as Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama and the Dalai Lama. Its sprawling 4,600 sq ft area includes bedrooms, meeting rooms and a modern office equipped with the latest technology and gadgetry. Part of the hotel’s Grand Presidential floor, the suite also provides access to a large living room that is partitionable into a study and a smaller living room that has a well-equipped library and a 12-seater private dining room.

Zubin Songadwala, general manager, ITC Maurya says, “Inspired by India’s historical Mauryan dynasty, the Grand Presidential Suite redefines luxury space through its rich traditional interiors, enhanced by golden and red tapestry and valuable pieces of Indian artwork.” At a price of ₹5 lakh per night, this palatial space offers services such as a private sauna with a steam room, a round-the-clock food and beverage service along with customised meals cooked by a private chef, executive lounges with a library and a 24-hour butler service.

For those wanting something more of luxury along with some heritage and culture, the Presidential Suite at The Leela Palace New Delhi fits the bill. Spread across 4,800 sq ft, the suite is meant for royalties, luminaries and global leaders and is built to suit their taste. It comprises an exquisite living room that leads to a bedroom with a walk-in closet, a personal fitness studio, private study, private dining room and a butler pantry for hosting visitors in style. The 400 sq ft bathroom comes with spa mood lighting, handsfree speaker phone and a jacuzzi.

Deemed a palace within a palace, the suite offers services such as being ferried in a BMW luxury fleet with a Rolls Royce Phantom on standby, gourmet offerings like chocolates or dessert platters prepared especially for the guest and access to the royal club lounge. The entire suite is also bulletproof. Says Louis Sailer, general manager, The Leela Palace New Delhi, “The Presidential suite exemplifies the splendid tradition, grace and elegance of Lutyens’ Delhi with the serene ambience of a personal palace.” The suite also comprises décor elements such as curated artwork, Persian handcrafted carpets, Murano ornate chandeliers, crystal stone faucets and handcrafts and objects made of silver. This opulence comes with a pirce tag of ₹7.5 lakh per night.

Thanks to these high-end hotel suites, you can now borrow a king’s life — if only for a night or two, provided one also possess a king-sized bank balance.