Kohinoor is undoubtedly the most valuable diamond in the world. Befittingly, its eponymous hotel, ITC Kohenur, is the most luxurious property in Hyderabad's HITEC City.
From a distance, the natural colour of the building almost matches with the surrounding boulders that make up the topography of Hyderabad. Upon entering the driveway, one is treated to a refreshing eyeful of a vertical green wall. I learn later that this ' living wall' is made up thousands of potted indigenous plants; and there is an almost equally expansive horizontal garden on top of this wing of the hotel. But I get to explore that later. My stay at the ITC Kohenur starts with a very warm welcome and a quick check-in to my room in ITC One, with an unobstructed view of the Durgam Cheruvu Lake.
At first glance, the glitzy lobby, bedecked with crystal and glass, wears a very contemporary look. But as the details are pointed out, it is a pleasure to note how the local crafts and heritage of Hyderabad have been amalgamated into the chic design of the hotel. The chandelier made with 1865 lac bangles, which adorns the reception area, is inspired by the 'choodi bazaar' in the Charminar area. There are other chandeliers too that are made with crystal but shaped like a set of sparkling bangles. The entire artwork in the hotel, from the corridors to the large banquet spaces, celebrates the iconic architecture of Hyderabad as well as the Nizams' famous jewellery, as eye-catching photographs or life-like paintings.
Going back to the Kohinoor, the building itself is designed like a large uncut diamond. One also finds the diamond motif everywhere - on the walls, in the carpets and even in the sarees of the front office staff. As you may be aware, the Kohinoor diamond once embellished Emperor Shah Jahan's peacock throne, hence there is the absolutely stunning Peacock Bar just off the lobby. Expectedly, the Bar is dressed in bright colours of 'peacock blue', but look up for the brilliant installation on the ceiling. Made with small pieces of crystal and coloured glass, the peacock runs the entire length of the bar. The far corner also has an ornate silver chair, as if to replicate the throne from which this entire space is inspired.
Adjacent to the Peacock Bar is the all-day restaurant, an array of fine international cuisine as well as delicious local food.From the lipsmacking prawns gongura to the pan-grilled fish with chillies, spicy, tangy curries, a delicious moong dal tempered with garlic and coconut or the simple ridge gourd cooked in fresh milk and chillies are sure to give you a taste of home cooked food of this region. While I had the betel leaf fritters for the first time, I have been quite familiar with Andhra Kodi Biryani and Haleem, and can safely say that this Haleem is one of the finest. Sharing this meal with
Golconda Pavilion, that offers a clear view of the Golconda Fort. Its pillars wear wallpaper that is designed like the traditional Hyderabadi bidri work. This restaurant offers executive chef Yogen Datta makes it even more memorable as he casually shares his wealth of knowledge of local as well as international cuisine that the hotel serves to perfection. The passion with which he talks highlights the respect for ingredients as well as traditional recipes, a motto that is followed across the kitchens of all ITC Hotels.
Moving away from Indian fare, Yi Jing, the Chinese restaurant serves traditional fare from the Mainland such as Hunan, Canton and Sichuan. With 130 dishes, the menu is rather extensive. While the dimsum look very pretty and are filled with assorted fillings such as carrot and wasabi, sake and edamame, the mains clearly steal the show. Steamed sea bass with ginger and soy and Lobster in XO sauce and even the humble beans in hoisin sauce are absolutely fantastic. Don't miss the hand-pulled noodles or the sliced, hand-made noodles tossed in some chilli and oil. Desserts too match up to the rest of the fare with anise custard and porcini icecream (a first for me!) and jasmine tea tart with Madagascar milk chocolate and apricot sponge.
The rooftop has a terrace bar, Sky Point, that is set to attract the millennials and, Ottimo, a plush Italian restaurant that serves handmade pastas, grills and the freshest salads and cheese platters. Besides resident guests, the food at ITC Kohenur seems to have hit the right spot with city-dwellers too. All the F&B outlets were packed and buzzing all through the couple of days that we spent at the hotel!
As a luxury business hotel, ITC Kohenur has left no stone unturned to provide the ultimate experience for business travellers. There are many lounge spaces, business center, business networking spaces and an exclusive ITC Prive Club to make your stay comfortable as well as productive.
In keeping with technology trends, every room is equipped with a tablet to control all the facilities - from a variety of mood lightings to the television and entertainment regulator, a camera viewing option before opening the door to requesting for an unobtrusive laundry valet - at your finger touch.
But what impressed us most is that despite all the high-tech gadgetry this is the first 'radiation protected' hotel. Every emitting device has been installed with an anti-radiation chip to create general well-being. The quiet rooms are further appointed with best in class mattresses, optimal water and air quality, a special sleep kit, indoor plants that give out oxygen at night to ensure that people have better sleep and wake up more refreshed. Additionally, there are 13 wellness rooms that have even more amenities to enhance wellness such as a rejuvenating vitamin C shower. "We realise that some weary business travellers are too busy to drag themselves to the spa, so we take care of their well-being right in their room," shares Tejinder Singh, general manager, ITC Kohenur.
With 271 spacious rooms, you can pick from categories like Tower rooms, ITC One, suites, serviced apartments and of course the gorgeous presidential suite named after the second most famous diamond in the world - Daria i Noor.
· If there's one thing that we enjoyed in Hyderabad more than spending time at ITC Kohenur, it was exploring the most intrinsic experiences of the city with guided tours organised by the hotel. Take your pick from the shopping trail and buy some local bangles, traditionally woven fabric, pearls after which the city is named or the traditional bidri crafts or explore Qutub Shahi Trail that includes iconic sites like the Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi tombs or simply revel in Nizami splendour with a tour of Salarjung Museum, Nizam's Museum and Chowmahalla Palace.
· If you like tasting local food, take the Food Sherpa Trail and taste the famous biryanis and kebabs, some Telugu specialties or Irani bakeries that are as much a part of daily life in Hyderabad as they're a must-do for tourists.
ITC Kohenur, Plot No 5, Survey No 83/1, Hyderabad Knowledge City, Madhapur, (HITEC City) Hyderabad - 500081.
A version of this article first appeared in Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, www.luxurylifestylemag.co.uk on 21st October 2018.
