BACKGROUND

The Renaissance is a luxury and lifestyle brand by Marriott. It is the first Marriott property in Lucknow, and the second Renaissance property in the country. In step with its image worldwide, the brand has a young feel to it with its contemporary interiors and express service. Renaissance Lucknow Hotel opened in September 2015. 

WHAT’S IT LIKE?

Apart from the grand view of the sprawling Ambedkar Park, the hotel’s layout is informal and cosy. A small patisserie — Cakes and Coffee — in the lobby, labelled “lounge”, is the first to greet you. Not a typical luxury property, you aren’t expected to stand at the reception desk, manned by two, for checkin. No sooner do you pull out one of the lounge chairs, your key is ready, and your are escorted for in-room checkin. The lift is barely a few steps from the reception desk and the sensor automatically selects your floor on flashing the room key-card. Opposite the lift is the hotel’s only ballroom through which you have access to the lawn. The mezzanine floor, reached by lift or the stairway leading from the main entrance, has two fully equipped meeting rooms. 

WHERE IS IT?

Renaissance Lucknow Hotel is in the heart of they city’s posh neighbourhood, Gomti Nagar, and on the banks of the Gomti River. It is about 17km from the city airport, and a short drive to the business centre — Hazratganj. 

ROOM FACILITIES 

The 112 rooms and suites either give you a stunning view of the Ambedkar Park and Gomti River or face the city mall. They are divided into the Deluxe room, Executive Deluxe room — both 32 sqm — and the 44 sqm Renaissance suite. All rooms and suites have a work desk, 42-inch LED TV, tea/coffee maker, minibar, two phone lines with voice mail, bathrobe, room slippers, Aromatherapy toiletries, iron and ironing board, and a welcome offering of confectionaries from their bakery. Neither of the rooms and suites have a bathtub. Two televisions are mounted back-to-back in the suites — one faces the bed and the other the sofa-seating. If you are sharing the suite you can only turn on one TV at a time so their sounds don’t overlap each other. 

Enough plug points around the room make it convenient for a traveller with many gadgets. Two plug points are available on either side of the bed, and one below the work desk. Blackout blinds can be controlled from a bedside switch. While you can enjoy a dark room, and set the temperature to your comfort, there is little to can do about noisy motorists. The rooms don’t have a designated area for your luggage, leaving the work desk, coffee table or the floor as your only options. 

Guests of the Executive Deluxe rooms and Renaissance suites can use the lounge at any time, which offers a breakfast and dinner buffet, and happy hours between 6pm-8pm. Additional free services include laundry for two pieces, and airport transfer. 

Wifi is available to non-Marriott reward members at ₹300 per hour. 

RESTAURANTS AND BARS 

You can enjoy cocktails at the poolside Sky Bar on the 16th floor, along with views of the Gomti River and the park. L-14 on the 14th floor is an all-day multi-cuisine restaurant with an open kitchen, and a 180 degree view of the city. Traditional Awadh flavours are served at Sepia, open only for dinner. Don’t leave without indulging in the kakori kebabs, galawati kebabs, biryani, and raan or thigh of a lamb. You can sip on freshly brewed coffee and tea at Cakes and Coffee in the lounge. 

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES 

The total event space sprawls across 242 sqm. It includes a large banquet hall that can be divided into five, and an outdoor lawn. In addition to this, they have two business centres for 12 and 24, and are equipped with wifi, a screen, audio-video conference, and a television. 

LEISURE FACILITIES 

The infinity pool on the 16th floor offers stunning views of the city. Their 24-hour gym holds basic cardio and weight machines. The treadmills face a french window that overlooks the river. 

VERDICT

The room’s layout and property location make it a convenient choice for a business traveller. Beautiful views of the river can assuage any stress. The staff is young and attentive, and the service is quick. 

PRICE: Internet rates for a midweek stay in November started at ₹8,925. 

CONTACT: Renaissance Lucknow hotel, Vipin Khand, Gomti Nagar; tel: +91 522 405 5555; marriott.com 

Neha Gupta Kapoor