Review: Vivanta by Taj, Lucknow - lovely pool and leaking bathroom!

Vivanta by Taj Hotels & Resorts span options for the work-hard-play-hard traveller across metropolitan cities, other commercially important centres as well as some of the best-loved vacation spots. Stylish & sophisticated, Vivanta by Taj delivers premium hotel experiences with imagination, energy & efficiency.

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Lucknow as a city is primarily historical but also burgeoning with an ever increasing population of youth. There are parts which are straight out of Nawab’s Lucknow, and then there are newer parts which look quite chic and modern. When you look at the areas, a similar pattern follows - Hazratgunj (fondly called gunj by locals) is the home for past glory, and Gomti Nagar is where the young and the happening things happen!

Vivanta by Taj is one such property located in Gomti Nagar. The hotel is designed as one huge colonial mansion, with an impressive central dome. The beautiful gardens all around add a touch of royalty to the place. Though the hotel is not very old, but it would remind you all that was old and glorious, not just in the city but the entire north India, during the days of Raj.

The most impressive is the lovely pool hidden behind the front facade. I spent close to three hours simply floating there one late evening. Nestled between huge palm trees, its a perfect place to rejuvenate after a long and hard day at work. You can sip a beer or margarita as you cool your body down.

The dome!

Blue pool from my room balcony...

My messed up room :)

My Experiences

I stayed at the hotel twice and with very mixed results. The first time I was around, I stayed in a room which can at best be described as one from the 1970s - at least some of the products and the bathroom wallpaper certainly were. The hand-dryer was certainly a relic. Being a enthusiast of the era bygone almost always, I was weirdly happy with such decor - how could I complain about a chance of living in an era which ended before I was even born! However, with relics also come leaks and other small challenges. The bathroom was standard but without a shower curtain. I took shower and the bathroom flooded, some water even leaked outside the bathroom.

Calling up the front desk did ensure that I got another piece of relic installed - a shower curtain which did nothing to stop any leakages! It was not the first time I was staying up at Taj (it was first in this property though), and my obvious expectation was that I would be be offered a room change after my complaint, but all I got was a non-functional shower curtain :) From another hotel this was easily expected, but certainly not from Taj! I have high expectations of service from his otherwise fantastic group.

And my favourite gadget in the bathroom - the Hand Dryer!

Anyway, this didn’t deter me from staying there again on my next visit to the city and this time I made sure I got a room with a view and non-leaky bathroom! I flashed my best-ever and flirtiest-ever smile to the lady at the front desk and nicely mentioned my disappointment with the last visit. And I very sweetly requested a room with a view (I had not idea what this would be ). She made a few calls, and asked me to wait for fifteen minutes while she got the best room in my budget ready! And voila…I got a perfect room with a perfect view - the lovely swimming pool and loads of palm trees!

And finally a selfie :)

So the trick to get a great room at a great hotel - share a great smile when you check in :) It always works!

Food at Taj

As I mentioned earlier the food is great here. There are three different places to eat:

Latitude: Latitude is a fresh take on Pan-Indian with international multi-cuisine as well, showcased in an interesting blend of colours and flavours to set the mood for a modern, trendy dining experience.

Oudhyana: Oudhyana is true to the finest Awadhi and North Indian cuisine. The large number of guests seated in the lobby waiting for a table is proof of its popularity.

Saqi: Exotic cocktails, a wide selection of wines and spirits mark this trendy lounge bar.


I would recommend eating here not just for great food, but also some fantastic ambience. Eating here is eating like a King :)

How to reach?

Lucknow is well connected from all major cities in the country by flights as well as trains, especially with Delhi and Mumbai. Here is the address of the property:

Vivanta by Taj - Gomti Nagar
Vipin Khand
Gomti Nagar 
Lucknow - 226 010
Uttar Pradesh
India

And here is the map:


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