Chhavi Bhatia
Amritsar prides itself as the crown jewel of tourist destinations in Punjab, presenting itself as a befitting case for top billed luxury hotels to set shop here. Latest to foray into the holy city is Courtyard by Marriott which opened its doors about a year and half ago. This tranquil, homely hotel ticks all the boxes of a weary traveller looking to merge comfortable stay with some touristy things to do here: centrally located, pleasant interiors, delectable food and a staff that is never found without a smile. A picture of slick, understated elegance and warm hospitality, the property, essaying its role as sustainable luxury, can potentially become a favourite with weekenders and staycationers alike.
The location:
Courtyard by Marriott sits on the Mall Road, minutes away from the busy Ranjeet Avenue and Golden Temple under 30 minutes, given your dexterity to maneuver through annoyingly unruly Amritsar traffic. Highlights like Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Museum, Partition Museum, Jallianwala Bagh too do not feel like the other end of the world besides the place offering quick access to Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport(9.8 km away) and Amritsar Junction railway
station(five km away).
The rooms:
All 104 rooms and three suites have calmingly sophisticated interiors, replete with trappings of modern functional luxury: an LED screen with free viewing channels, in-house phone, alarm clock, spacious cabinets. The rooms ooze a peaceful, snug feeling, immediately washing you over with its muted palettes. You don’t hear a pin drop despite the hotel being located in the middle of a busy district. Everything is immaculately clean, its crisp, pristine white sheets beckoning to tuck yourselves in after a hard day of sight-seeing. You can also curl up with a hot cup of tea and a book on the very comfortable sofa that doubles up as an extra bed too, occasionally glancing at the panorama view of the cityscape: a delight that comes with every room. Those with an eagle eye can also spot the golden dome of Darbar Sahib scintillating gloriously in the mid-morning sun. A massive window brings liberal dose of daylight inside that can be veiled with remote controlled blinds. Our only peeve? The blinds don’t close half way through. It is a go big or not at all.
Style, staff and stuff
Charming and luminous is how we would describe the hotel. From the rooms to the restaurant, rooftop bar and the lobby, Courtyard by Marriott is invitingly swathed in natural light. We walk into a well-lit and spacious lobby, furnished with comfy sofas and overlooking Amritsar Kitchen. Check-in is efficient; the front desk is very to the point. Rest of the staff—Panjab Singh darban, Tara and Anny servers at the restaurant, chefs Bipin and Hardik—indulge in witty conversations, helping guests with food and cultural insights on the city and few sporadic comments on current affairs.
The hotel architecture pays an impressive tribute to the rich culture of Punjab in its modern-art-deco-meets-tradition in rooms, corridors and its restaurant aptly called Amritsar Kitchen. The overall scheme of artworks for the hotel revolves around local influences, architectural features and handmade paintings narrating the city’s evolution from its historic opulence and diorama. The artworks in rooms have an interesting feature of textile motifs from days of yore—a technique followed by craftsmen of the Maharajas of Punjab which depicted tree motifs. Local monuments and famous places also catch your eye while moving around the lobby in the form of beautifully crafted wooden pieces. At Amritsar Kitchen, original hand painted canvas art panels display the valour, vigour and adventure Punjab and Punjabis are known for through local games that have greatly influenced the demography.
A well-equipped gym, rooftop swimming pool and a spa—Courtyard by Marriott has all amenities in place. The service is prompt but not business-like over-the-top; the vibe here is more relaxed, friendly and laidback, like staying with a friend or family.
Courtyard by Marriott minimises use of plastic in kitchen—doing its bit for sustainable luxury. However, it would also be nice to see the hotel offer a more sustainable option to toiletries than single-use miniatures and use glass water bottles.
Food and Drink:
Amritsar Kitchen is as close as you can get to know Punjab at its culinary best. The menu has Punjabi staples: Butter Chicken, Fish Tikka, Amritsari Kulcha, Dal Makhni with supporting cast of Asian and Western dishes. Be prepared for your scales to go north if chef Hardik is in-charge. A local lad who was brought in from JW Marriott Delhi to season the food at the restaurant with his Punjabiyat, he will find you and he will feed you an entire year’s supply of makhan and desi ghee in just one meal. Protest and he laughs gregariously, “This land does not believe in dieting or frugal eating.” Ask him for Amritsari Kulcha(dripping with white butter, of course) and Tawa Fish—both rendering new definition to finger licking good. Breakfast is a good collection of north and south Indian, and continental spread. The chefs are more than happy to spoil you with special of the day. Do it at your own risk or buy a new pair of clothes before you depart. Another experience not to be missed is the special Amritsari thali curated by the chefs: you deep dive into the food culture the city of lions is famous for.
Unwind with single malt or a Cosmopolitan at Vue Bar and Grill, soaking in the twinkling of city lights. The rooftop bar is a great place to gaze at the stars as a live band belts out indie rock every Wednesday.
The bottom line
With its muted luxury, appealing interiors and affable hospitality, Courtyard by Marriott is hard to beat for those who are looking for a family getaway or a place to relax without a hefty price tag; ideal for couples and safe for single women travelers too.
