The Oberoi Bengaluru

This is a love letter to this hotel, the service, the staff, the kindness of a type that I have rarely encountered in day to day life leave alone in a hotel. The hotel is built beautifully around a 150 year old tree and the flora and fauna around the property is an oasis in a city famous for the traffic. We stayed here for more than a week and today on the day of our departure, I want to take a moment to thank the many people who made our stay not just wonderful but also comfortable to the point of being spoilt. I would like to start with Meenakshi. In the service industry we expect care but some people work from their heart, Meenakshi is one of them. She took care of all the fine details so carefully that after a few days I would seek her out for any help I needed for our stay in the city and at the hotel. I am very grateful to have met her. At the front we were always taken care of-- Milan, Raghav, Nikita, Faiz, Himank were excellent and I was especially encouraged to hear from several members how they were always well supported by Gaurav which was very heartening to hear. At the restaurant where I spent hours working online my gratitude to everyone who fed us so well and with so much care including the young boy who carries a flag on a pole around to keep the birds away when we eat outdoors-- Avani with her ever bright smile, Adarsh, Aparan, Ankit, abinash, Yogesh, Timna, Mewan, chef Miti, Duchen.. I could go on and on but a week after our stay here I have felt their care and attention to details. We had lovely cooking classes organized by chef Vishnu who was also one of those people who like Meenakshi inspired us with genuine love and passion for their work and we loved the cooking classes he set up for us. Thank you also to chefs Sahil, Rajendra and Uday. At concierge if you need anything from medicines to a tailor, to a doctor to something that needs sewn or any query from bird watching to shopping- Hinsal and Himangini will go out of their way to help you. Anisha was always there to help too. Mary and Anoushka at in room dining gave me hot milk and jaggery every morning for my coffee. Finally, all the housekeeping staff. Someone put flowers in front of my statue of Krishna which really moved me. Saumitra also gave me a pill box for my medicines when he noticed them lying on the bed side table. Last night Abhishek from housekeeping gave us a parting gift of many goodies. A shout out to the housekeeping staff like Sonal and Basavraj who made the room perfect every day and had a ready smile. This then is my letter of gratitude to this hotel that now feels like a second home. My husband Tom and I both agree that we have never experienced such hospitality anywhere and we are sorry to leave today and look forward to returning here and staying in The Oberoi in other cities too. Thank you all.

I have always preferred Oberoi hotels and have consistently enjoyed both the hospitality and dining experiences they offer. Wabi Sabi, in particular, has been one of my favourite restaurants. Unfortunately, my experience on the evening of 29 June at approximately 9:30 p.m. was extremely disappointing. I was dining with my team and was wearing shorts, as I was unaware of the restaurant’s dress code. Before being seated, I approached the dining area twice to select a table, but no member of staff informed me that my attire did not comply with the dress code. Had I been told at that stage, I would have fully respected the policy and made the necessary arrangements. What was particularly upsetting was the way the restaurant manager handled the situation. Instead of speaking to me directly and discreetly, he informed my colleagues that I should be wearing trousers. Addressing the matter through my colleagues, in front of my team, was unnecessary and deeply embarrassing. A hospitality professional—especially a manager—should know how to communicate such matters sensitively and respectfully, without humiliating a guest. I completely respect the standards and dignity of the establishment, and my concern is not with the dress code itself. My concern is with the lack of prior communication and the insensitive, unprofessional manner in which the situation was addressed. This was my first genuinely unpleasant experience at an Oberoi property, and it fell far below the level of courtesy and hospitality I have always associated with the brand. I request that the matter be reviewed and that the relevant staff receive appropriate guidance so that no other guest is made to feel embarrassed in this manner. You should ensure that your managers are properly trained to handle such situations with professionalism, discretion, and respect. While guests are expected to respect the standards and dignity of your establishment, the same courtesy and respect must be extended to them. Every guest has dignity and deserves to be addressed directly and privately—not embarrassed in front of colleagues. The manager’s conduct was insensitive, unprofessional, and entirely unacceptable. I expect this matter to be taken seriously and appropriate steps to be taken to ensure that no other guest is treated in this manner.

There are hotels where you stay, and then there are places that become a part of you. The Oberoi, Bengaluru is that place for me. I've been fortunate to stay at many beautiful luxury hotels, but every time I return to The Oberoi, it feels less like checking into a hotel and more like coming home. It's a feeling that's difficult to explain unless you've experienced it yourself. The moment I walk through the doors, everything slows down. The lush gardens, the iconic century-old rain tree, the soothing signature fragrance, and the warm smiles from the reception team instantly put me at ease. The hustle of the city disappears, replaced by a sense of peace that I've come to associate only with this property. One of my favourite moments is opening the balcony door in the morning. Sitting there with a cup of coffee, listening to the birds, watching the magnificent rain tree sway gently in the breeze it's the perfect way to begin the day. In the middle of a busy city, this place somehow creates its own world of calm, and that's something incredibly special. Breakfast at Lapis has become a tradition for me. It's not just my favourite hotel breakfast it's my favourite breakfast experience anywhere in India. And then there's the Egg Kejriwal. I genuinely look forward to it every single time I visit. It may sound like a simple dish, but the way the team prepares it, with such consistency and care, makes it something I crave long after I've left Bengaluru. What makes every meal unforgettable isn't only the food it's the people behind it. The F&B team remembers me. They remember what I enjoy, how I like my breakfast, and those little preferences that make you feel valued rather than just recognised. Those small gestures mean more than any luxury ever could. A heartfelt thank you to Mr. Prateek Gulati, Chef Anirban Dasgupta, and every chef and team member working behind the scenes. Your passion shines through in every meal, and your warmth is something I genuinely look forward to experiencing every time I return. Whether it's a peaceful lunch at Rim Naam or an evening at Wabi Sabi, every dining experience feels thoughtfully crafted not just because of the exceptional food, but because every member of the team serves with genuine care and pride. What truly makes The Oberoi, Bengaluru extraordinary is its people. Hospitality here isn't scripted; it's heartfelt. From the front office and concierge to housekeeping and every other department, everyone greets you with warmth that feels completely genuine. It's rare to find a hotel where every interaction feels so effortless and sincere. Over the years, The Oberoi, Bengaluru has become much more than my preferred hotel in the city. It's where I choose to celebrate, where I come to unwind, and where I know I'll always be welcomed with familiar smiles. That's a feeling money simply can't buy. To the entire Oberoi Bengaluru family, thank you for making every visit unforgettable. Thank you for treating me not as a room number or a guest, but as someone who truly belongs. People often ask me which is my favourite hotel in India. Without hesitation, my answer is always The Oberoi, Bengaluru. Not because it's luxurious although it certainly is but because of how it makes me feel. Luxury can be built with marble, beautiful rooms, and fine dining. Home is built by people. And that's exactly what you've created. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You will always have my Golden Star . You haven't just earned my loyalty—you've earned a special place in my heart.