Words by Veidehi Gite
As I made my way from the airport to the hotel, my driver informed me that the surroundings comprise the old city and date back to the era of the King. What caught my attention was the presence of South Indian movie posters plastered on the walls and numerous restaurants lining the streets.
The roads were relatively quiet until we reached the bustling city centre, characterised by minimal traffic, ornate iron gates leading to homes, signboards in both English and Malayalam, traditional Odu (clay-tiled) houses, and green and yellow city buses. The city was dotted with bakeries, banana and coconut water vendors, and locals dressed in traditional Kerala attire.
Upon approaching the entrance, Hyatt Regency staff welcomed me with a traditional greeting, leading me to the luxe lobby with a high ceiling, under a two-fold Muthukuda ceremonial umbrella, and then placing a woven craft around my neck. The off-white Kerala kasavu with a gold zari border depicts purity and elegance and is often worn by the Malayali community for both religious and celebratory occasions. It exemplifies the traditionalism of Kerala, transporting one to the heart of God’s own country, with its energy pulsing through your fingertips.
Before even setting foot in the lobby, a sense of opulence surrounded me, leaving no doubt that my stay in the Regency suite will be nothing short of extraordinary.
Hyatt’s expansion in Kerala has been amplified by the introduction of the Hyatt Regency Trivandrum, the brand’s first property in Thiruvananthapuram. The lobby itself was a feast for the eyes, radiating extravagance with its various shades of gold. Exquisite attention to the minutest detail is but a mere glimpse into the unparalleled opulence that is the Hyatt Regency. The hotel is a testament to understated sophistication, yet, to simply describe it as such would be an injustice to its true essence which must be experienced to be fully appreciated.
Hotel
Hyatt Regency is nestled in the heart of Trivandrum, just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the airport, railway station, and all the top attractions. This luxurious oasis is an epicentre of excitement and boasts the largest convention space in the city with a pool view. For a more intimate gathering, the Crystal Room or the Regency Ballroom awaits, complete with a green room.
But that’s not all – with the keyless check-in feature, I was able to download the app on my way to the hotel and check myself in with ease. Of course, Indian law requires that you show your ID card at the reception upon arrival, but that didn’t detract from the seamless, stress-free experience, you can breeze through the process in no time.
After a long day of exploring, relax in the hotel’s unique capsule-shaped pool, or work up a sweat in their gym while enjoying the serene garden views or indulge in the best of Kerala’s therapeutic traditions at their in-house spa. As well, HRT is a treasure trove of dining delights, with not one, but four dining spaces to choose from. Whether you prefer the refined elegance of a private dining room or the immersive experience of experiential restaurants, their carefully curated menus showcasing the finest local and global cuisines, guarantee to impress even the most discerning palate.
Room
As I stepped into the Regency suite, I was immediately enchanted by its spaciousness and grandeur. With walls adorned with art and refinement, the living area is a sprawling expanse of furnishings, beckoning me to sink into their plush embrace. The bedroom was no exception, flaunting a king-size bed furnished with the softest linens, and stunning vistas of the city below. The en-suite bathroom exuded sophistication with its marble floors and a deep-soaking bathtub that provided the perfect oasis after a day of exploring the sights.
For those travelling on business or needing extra space for their family trip, this room type offers plenty of comfortable seating options as well as additional bedding arrangements upon request. One of the standout features of the Regency suite is its stunning views overlooking either the city or the pool. Wake up to breath-taking sunrises over Trivandrum or enjoy a peaceful evening watching the sunset from your privacy: the floor-to-ceiling window provides ample natural light.
For those who need to work during their stay, there’s an ergonomic workspace equipped with high-speed internet access. Otherwise, you can also relax on the sofa while watching your favourite shows on the 55” flat-screen TV. Room service was prompt and efficient, ensuring that I never had to wait long for my meals.
Guests also have access to laundry services, a complimentary minibar during the stay, an espresso machine, complimentary access to the Regency Lounge with meal presentation from 5 to 7 pm and tea and coffee services, complimentary boardroom usage for two hrs on availability once during the stay, iron and ironing board, and daily newspapers delivered right to their door.
The staff exceeded all expectations in catering to my every whim and fancy, from guiding me through the local landmarks to arranging seamless transportation, and they did so with much grace, utmost care and hospitality. The Regency Suite is perfect for travellers seeking luxury and comfort during their stay in Trivandrum. It was truly an indulgent experience that left me feeling pampered.
Food and drink
The impeccable quality of the food never failed to impress me. Each restaurant offers a delectable journey of taste, from the authentic rich flavours of Kerala to a diverse selection of international dishes. For an exceptional dining experience, I highly recommend visiting the Malabar Cafe or the Oriental Restaurant, where you can savour the tempting fusion of Indian and international cuisine.
My culinary adventure at Malabar Café had me savouring Italian flavours as well as an authentic Kerala lunch of kozhi porichathu, beef perathiyathu, meen manga thakkali curry, chemeen roast, karimeen pollichathu, pulishery, erishery, ada pradhaman, Kerala paratha and Chamba rice. In the Oriental Kitchen, my taste buds went on a journey of exotic Asian flavours with the crispy beef chilli, Sichuan seafood noodles with oyster, soya and vegetables, and sliced local lamb with onion chilli flakes and cumin accompanied by their signature mocktail – The Perfect Mix.
Regency Lounge is open 24/7 with great dining options available. If you’re looking for something more casual, then make your way over to All Things Baked, which offers light bites and refreshing beverages. Enjoy delicious sandwiches/burgers or opt for their signature cold brew while catching up with friends. It’s primarily famous for its selfie coffee, with Hyatt Regency Trivandrum being the first hotel in India to introduce such a concept – printing your picture over your coffee.
In-room dining is also available if you prefer dining in the comfort of your own space. From continental breakfasts to late-night snacks, there’s always something delicious on offer at Hyatt Regency.
Spa and wellness
Santata, the luxurious in-house spa of Hyatt Regency is a realm of ultimate relaxation that offers a plethora of treatments to soothe your aching muscles. I was greeted with a cold blend of lemon, ginger, and honey that instantly transported me to a state of tranquillity. Before you embark on your wellness journey, their attentive staff will take your allergies and medical conditions into consideration to tailor the therapy to your specific needs. I opted for the signature 90-minute aromatherapy session, where Ms Daiban used a blend of sweet orange, geranium, and frankincense oil to work her magic on my knots and tension points.
The session was followed by steam and sauna, leaving me feeling invigorated. The perfect spa day was capped off with a send-off comforting concoction of zesty lemon, ginger, and jaggery. For those who enjoy staying active during their travels, the hotel’s gym is fully equipped with state-of-the-art machines and equipment to ensure that guests can maintain their fitness regimes while away from home. After a workout or a day of exploring Trivandrum, guests can unwind and relax by taking advantage of the hotel’s outdoor pool and spa facilities. The pool area provides an oasis-like escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Sustainability and environmental responsibility
HRT is committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The hotel takes various measures to reduce its carbon footprint and promote sustainable practices. Taking a step towards a greener future, Hyatt Regency Trivandrum has installed a 300 KW solar power plant to generate three days of electricity that the hotel needs. With the solar panels, the plant generates 36,000 units on average per month. Furthering to boosting their commitment towards responsible travel, they have also installed an EV charging station at the hotel. The station makes EV charging seamless for hotel guests.
Rahul Raj, general manager of Hyatt Regency Trivandrum, said: “At Hyatt, it is our responsibility to ensure a greener future and hence our hotel is dedicated to making a difference by embracing various sustainable techniques and energy conservation measures. We ensure that every move we make helps us take a step towards being a sustainable consumer of the resources. From water bottles to electricity we make sure that our choices do not cause any harm to the environment.”
Phasing out the single-use plastic water bottles, the hotel has set up the city’s first automated water bottling plant. This bottling plant processes 2,000 bottles of IS 10500 2012 standard drinking water daily. The plant recycles the entire sewage water to process 160 KL of water per day which is used in cooling towers and for gardening purposes. Heat recovery wheels, heat pumps for hot water, DRV, VFD chillers, and building management are a few other sustainable initiatives at HRT. The hotel also reduces waste through a comprehensive recycling programme that separates recyclable materials from non-recyclables. This helps minimise landfill waste and conserve resources.
To do
The hotel’s prime location makes it easy to explore all that Trivandrum has to offer. From cultural hot spots like Padmanabhaswamy Temple and Napier Museum to stunning beaches, there’s something for everyone.
Pragit Elayath, marketing communications manager, said: “Hyatt being a global brand, we are targeting international guests, and being in the heart of the capital city of Kerala, the city based experiences are just in the radius of five kms of the hotel. So we have all the museums, the temple, the heritage properties in and around, and apart from that, beaches and lake are within the radius of 20 kms which is like a 45-minute drive from the hotel. We have concierge services, and our city experience packages start from £20, and the price varies depending upon the number of experiences you select.”
One of the top attractions in Trivandrum is Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, considered the world’s richest. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and boasts stunning architecture that dates back to 500 BC. Adjacent to it lies an immaculate two-storey Puthenmalika Palace known as the ‘horse palace’ or ‘Kuthiramalika’. The palace was constructed by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma during the 1840s, showcasing the exquisite Kerala school of architecture, and boasts 122 carved wooden horses. It is also home to a museum, which displays Kathakali figures, white marble idols, Belgian mirrors, and paintings.
For those who love nature, Trivandrum has several beautiful beaches including Kovalam Beach, which is famous for its golden sands and clear waters. If you’re interested in history then don’t miss out on visiting the Napier Museum and the palm leaf museum which showcases a variety of historical artefacts from across India. Shangumugham Beach is worth checking out where you can experience local life by watching fishermen bring their catches ashore every day.
Factbox
Getting there: Hyatt Regency Trivandrum is approximately a 35-minute drive from Thiruvananthapuram domestic and international airport, ten minutes downtown and a 45-minute drive from Kovalam Beach.
Booking your stay at the Regency Suite in Hyatt Regency Trivandrum is a hassle-free process that can be done online. To book directly with the hotel, simply visit their website and select the dates of your stay, along with any additional services or amenities you may require. Alternatively, you can also use third-party booking websites to reserve your room. These sites offer competitive prices and provide detailed information about the property’s features and amenities.
Rooms at Hyatt Regency Trivandrum can be booked, starting from £100 pppn and suites from £250 pppn
Address: CV Raman Pillai Rd, DPI, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695014
Phone: 04712581234
Email: linso.baugustine@hyatt.com
Website: hyatt.com
Photography courtesy of Hyatt Regency Trivandrum.
