Taj Swarna Amritsar review, India

THE LOCATION

The newly opened Taj Swarna is located on the northern fringes of Amritsar, the largest city in the Indian Punjab. The hotel is 11.7 kilometres from Amritsar airport and provides easy access to the old city, the Golden Temple, Ram Bagh Gardens and other sights.

THE SPACE

With just 148 rooms and nine suites, Taj Swarna Amritsar is definitely at the boutique end of the spectrum, but still projects a grand, sophisticated image. The impeccable public spaces are a masterclass in modern Indian interior design, blending clean, modernist lines with rich Phulkari fabrics and a touch of Bollywood – note the huge chandelier in the foyer. The hotel, which opened in April 2017, has two restaurants (The Grand Trunk and The Chinese Room) plus a lively evening bar called The Peg which delivers a steady stream of live cricket on TV and beats from a resident DJ. The hotel's recreational facilities include a lap pool, luxury day spa and fitness centre.

THE ROOM

Guest rooms are uncluttered and elegant, with just enough luxury touches to keep the most demanding traveller happy. My Taj Club Room was spacious, well lit and richly decorated with Indian throw rugs and bright cushions. I particularly liked the dinky yellow sofa at the bottom of my bed. The marble-clad bathroom was compact but well designed with a deep tub and plenty of fluffy towels. The big windows, meanwhile, provided a panoramic view of the old city. Since my room was on the fifth floor I also had access to a private Club lounge and the services of a butler and assistant butler.

THE FOOD

Before you charge out into the chaotic streets of Amritsar in search of street food, pull up a chair in The Grand Trunk which serves some of the city's best North Indian cuisine. The menu includes local favourites such as Parati Gosht, (seared lamb), Dal Amritsari (lentils simmered in a clay oven) and Lasooni Palak (spinach flavoured with burnt garlic and fenugreek). Finish off with a house-made dessert like Kulfi Falooda, Gulab Jamun or Rangla Punjab – an ice-cream sundae served with dried fruit and rose syrup. For breakfast tuck into wafer-thin dosa, paratha packed with potato, cottage cheese and cauliflower or Idli, a cake made from fermented rice and lentils.

STEPPING OUT