The rain Gods seem pleased with the fact that the city is under grey clouds, laced with thunder claps and lit by lightning strikes. An excuse to please yourself, Mumbai is overflowing with ‘staycation’ packages much to the joy of Mumbaikars. So whether in your hometown, or a city close by, this experience will tell you why staycations are one of the best and easiest ideas to relieve stress, reconnect with yourself and rekindle relationships. No hassle of travelling, but all the peace of a holiday, there was no reason to decline Sofitel Mumbai BKC’s Irresistible Monsoon Offer.
New way to enjoy the season
With over a substantial year on year growth in sales, Sofitel Mumbai BKC has become the ‘go-to’ destination in India’s financial capital. For busy travellers, corporate enthusiasts and buoyant luxury aficionados, the property has created the perfect stay package offering its exquisitely designed Prestige Suites. With the offer only valid until September 30, 2014, the package gives you every reason to throw in a pair of pyjamas in your car at least once by then.
Setting new standards to be enjoyed, Sofitel’s Prestige Suite is creating quite the buzz. Artistically designed by the French designer Isabelle Miaja, the Prestige Suites give you a Parisian residence right in the heart of Mumbai. Sofitel’s offering is simple and stays true to every word. For INR 14,500/- a night, you can sit back and relax as Sofitel takes care of airport transfers and a complimentary 60 minute massage at the globally acclaimed So Spa. Sleep, massage and room service – I’m a very happy person and would definitely recommend this one-of-a-kind experience in Mumbai city.
Bonjour!
If you have been to the property before, you will love the ever familiar scent and the high ceilings that lend to the magnificence of the property. If not, prepare for love at first sight. The check in process is quick and hassle free and can be done in your room. Once you are done admiring the intricate architecture of the room and patting your shoulder for a wonderful brainwave and decision, a staff member will quickly scan your ID proofs while you fill out a concise form to complete the formalities. The baggage took longer than expected, but I attribute that to variety of check-ins and -outs, so don’t depend on that long maxi in your bag to start your staycation. Taking a few moments to walk around the room, I now know what the fuss is all about. With two separate living and rest areas, the Prestige Suites also consists of WiFi connectivity, a Bose surround sound system and an iPod docking station for an eclectic aural entertainment experience. To provide nocturnal bliss, the room is installed with Sofitel’s signature MyBed composed of seven dynamic layers, to grab a night of perfect sleep. The package also includes a scrumptious breakfast at the popular multi-cuisine fine dining outlet Pondichery Cafe. I could already feel myself relaxing.
Mr. Sanjeev Advani, Director of Sales and Marketing, said, “Sofitel is not only becoming a favourite among inbound travellers to Mumbai and well-to-do expats, but Sofitel Luxury Hotels today has also become a name with Indian outbound travellers who have been exposed to Sofitel hospitality in Mumbai. The domestic travel and tourism market is certainly on a rise as consumers are opting for staycation holidays given today’s robust lifestyle. With the Prestige Suite offer, we at Sofitel Mumbai BKC, are extending our magnifique hospitality to them.”
As the day progresses
With a total number of 302 rooms and suites, Sofitel Mumbai BKC provides a plethora of accommodation choices that are thoughtfully planned and well anointed for each type of traveller. Enjoy the coming of monsoons to Western India, and bask in the image of mystical droplets of water running down your windowpane in the Sofitel Prestige Suite, which comprises 77 sq.m of sheer lavish space (yes, it does make a difference). The room is spacious, grand and has all the makings of your ‘home away from home’ for a night. The WiFi connectivity though is poor and weak, and will keep disconnecting, thus count on your 3G to keep you abreast of the social world around you.
Set some special time aside for yourself and most definitely the bathroom. Keeping the hygiene necessities aside, this swanky bathroom houses a large tub and a flat screen television! Besides this, the bathroom is neat and has separate areas for shower and the WC. Kama Ayurveda amenities will pamper you but you may not be able to travel completely light as they provide only one toothbrush. The sound system will bring to life any show or movie, so at least one movie must be watched to do justice to the system. You can take your pick from a huge library that can be accessed via special request on an iPad.
Those who avail the Prestige Suite offer will also be given private access to Club Millésime – the club floor business lounge and private area, located on the 14th floor of the hotel. I found Club Millésime to be inspired by Indian motifs, offering modern lush open spaces, with a view of Bandra Kurla Complex. The lounge provides personalized service to privileged guests staying in the club or suite category of rooms, but only during designated hours for breakfast, lunch or cocktail.
Time to spa
Grabbing a quick lunch at Artisan, their café, I found that the place boasts a lovely ambience with great baked delicacies, salads and a lovely staff. An hour of relaxation later, it was time to get to the spa for my appointment. I opted for the Moroccan Art of Relaxation body treatment, as my pick for the complimentary 60 minute massage. Having frequented the spa before, all my details and preferences were already with them, and there was no need to fill another form. One of their best selling massages to ease the stress, the massage I selected is inspired by oriental traditions of North Africa. A combination of slow and enveloping smoothing strokes, the treatment managed to put me into a deep slumber that lasted throughout the treatment.
At the end of the massage, I was awoken by a soft touch and asked to make my way to the relaxation room where my cranberry juice awaited me. My therapist told me that the treatment I took moisturizes and regenerates the skin, leaving a satin finish which I found to be quite true. A lovely treatment if you want something to soothe and improve body and mind relaxation, what better compliment to the masseuse that I fell asleep! With ingredients like Argan oil, sesame oil and olive oil, along with a fragrance of essential oils of cinnamon, eucalyptus and cedar, there sure isn’t any need to head to Morocco anytime soon.
Abode to sleep
After the spa, we made our way to the room and changed to get to dinner around the area. The next morning we had breakfast at Pondicherry Cafe which offers a plethora of cuisines to give you a healthy start in the morning. Check-out was also prompt and hospitable as I prepared myself to face another Monday morning in the hectic world, and quite refreshed at that!
