BACKGROUND

India’s tenth Trident hotel opened in September, joining properties in Mumbai (two), Gurgaon (Delhi), Chennai, Bhubaneswar, Cochin, Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur.

Trident is a sister brand to Oberoi Hotels and Resorts but is not marketed as such, perhaps because, being aimed principally at business travellers, it might be considered second to the better-known brand.

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

The Trident Hyderabad is very much a five-star hotel from the moment you pull up at the gates and a vigorous security check is performed on your car. You are then taken up a sweeping driveway to the hotel entrance, which is actually on the fifth floor since it is built on the side of a hill.

Pools of water frame the frontage, while inside, the lobby is a peaceful place with a high ceiling, modern and traditional art, and lots of natural light. A staircase with a contemporary chandelier leads down to the function rooms and fine-dining Indian restaurant.

As you walk in, you are greeted by the smartly dressed staff and either escorted to reception, or shown to the Club floor lounge.

WHERE IS IT?

In HITEC (Hyderabad Information Technology Engineering Consultancy City), 35km from the international airport via the outer ring road, which can be very quick, especially if you are on an international flight that arrives or leaves in the early morning.

ROOM FACILITIES

Rooms are located on floors ten to 21 and offer either a park (“Rock Heights”) or HITEC city view.

All have good soundproofing with floor-to-ceiling, thermally insulated glass and black-out blinds operated via a switch by the bedside table. They have wooden floors, dark walnut furniture and chrome light fixtures, with abstract art pieces and the deep red bed throws adding splashes of colour.

Entry-level Deluxe rooms (floors ten to 17) are huge, at 41 sqm, and have wired and wifi internet access (Rs 990/£9.70 per day), a good-sized workdesk and leather chair, a walk-in wardrobe, minibar, tea and coffee facilities, an iPod/iPad dock, and a glass-walled bathroom with a privacy blind, separate tub and shower and Kama Ayurveda toiletries.

Premier rooms are the same size but on the 18th and 19th floors, and Trident Club rooms (41 sqm) are on the 20th and 21st. The top-level Club lounge offers a free breakfast, cocktail hour, and hot and soft drinks throughout the day. Club guests also get a complimentary one-way airport transfer.

Executive suites are 68 sqm, and Deluxe and Trident Club suites are 82 sqm.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

On the lobby level, all-day eatery Amara has an open kitchen serving Mediterranean and Asian (including Indian) food. Tuscany offers Italian cuisine, and Kanak serves Hyderabadi specialities (spicy vegetarian dishes and delicious marinated meats) as well as fare from around India.

There is also the lobby-level Ninety Six bar and a smoking lounge with a wide range of Cuban cigars.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES

As well as a 24-hour business centre, there are eight meeting rooms seating 12 people in each, and the city’s largest hotel ballroom (743 sqm), accommodating 400 guests for a banquet or 800 for a reception.

LEISURE FACILITIES

There is a large gym with very good air conditioning and plenty of natural light – in the morning you could need sunglasses on the running machines. There is also a yoga studio, a spa with four treatment rooms and a 27-metre, open-air pool.

VERDICT

A stunning hotel with very good service, large rooms and tight yet discreet security. Hyderabad is saturated with five-star hotels, but the Trident deserves success.

FACT FILE

  • HOW MANY ROOMS? 323 – 183 Deluxe, 56 Premier and 54 Trident Club rooms, plus nine Executive, 16 Deluxe and five Trident Club suites.
  • HIGHLIGHTS The modern design, practical in-room technology and well-informed, helpful staff.
  • PRICE Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in April started from £77 for a Deluxe room.
  • CONTACT Trident Hyderabad, HITEC City, Near Cyber Towers, Madhapur, tel +91 40 6623 2323; tridenthotels.com