It’s been a hectic few months travelling for work and then finally moving from Hyderabad to Pune. So the moment my husband and I got a free weekend, we started looking for luxury hotels in Pune that would be perfect for a relaxing staycation. Just then, we chanced upon The Ritz Carlton Pune – one of the only two Ritz Carlton hotels in India ( the other one being in Bangalore). Since this Ritz Carlton is in the business hub of Pune, we were a bit hesitant at first when selecting it for our staycation in Pune. But it turned out to be one of the best staycations we have ever had! Keep reading to know why.
Location
The Ritz Carlton Pune is a swanky new 5-star hotel which is located just 4 km (10-min drive) from the Pune International Airport in the heart of the business parks in Yerwada and close to those in Kharadi and Viman Nagar. While it is ideal for business travellers, it is also well-suited for leisure travellers.
Why?
It is only a short drive away from shopping centres like Phoenix Mall, renowned cafés and bars of Koregaon Park and Kalyani Nagar, and also historical sites like Aga Khan Palace and Shaniwar Wada. The best bit is that is hotel overlooks the 100-acre, 18-hole Poona Club Golf Course. So despite being in the heart of the business district, you are treated to a splendid view of greenery and hills in the distance.
Interiors and Check-in process
We had a delightful experience from the get-go. Here’s what the process will look like..
On reaching, you’ll be approached by a valet to park your car (if needed). After security check, you’ll enter the lobby and be mesmerised by the sparkling chandeliers and the wooden panelling throughout this luxury hotel in Pune. The interiors are grand yet elegant and the atmosphere is warm.
Someone from the hotel staff will greet you and direct you to the check-in counter after which you’re offered a welcome drink. This section is quieter than the grand entrance lobby. It is sprinkled with all things that fascinate- books, art, and sculptures that’ll keep you occupied till the formalities are completed.
The process is as smooth as it can get!
Rooms
The hotel has 198 guest rooms including 35 plush suites with either city or golf course views. They’re known to be the most spacious rooms in the city. The room categories are as follows:
- Deluxe Room – 560 sq feet
- Club King Golf View Room – 560 sq feet room (comes with club lounge access)
- Executive Suite- 770 sq feet
- Premier Suite – 1100 sq feet
- The Ritz Carlton Suite – 3165 sq feet
We had booked a Deluxe Room with Golf Course View but being Elite Members of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program we were upgraded to a Premier Suite with a Golf Course View.
If you’re not already a part of the Marriott Bonvoy Member, we highly suggest that you enrol in it for free. It is the largest hotel loyalty program in the world with 7,000+ hotels in 131+ countries. You’ll earn points on hotel bookings and dining. As you collect points, you can also redeem them on hotel stays, flights and more. There are several other benefits you get as you move up levels in the program – lower member rates, free wifi, late checkout and early check-in, room upgrades and more. It has benefitted us a lot over the years and we can’t recommend it enough!
See details and enrol here
The suite was very well-appointed and super spacious.
The living room had comfortable sofas, a well-stocked mini bar, kettle, coffee machine and a TV. We appreciated that there was a complimentary fruit basket and a Hygiene Care Kit with masks, sanitisers, etc.
The bedroom had the most comfortable king bed we have ever slept in but it was rather high for a short person like me. That wasn’t much of an issue except that I felt like I was climbing a mountain each time I got into bed.
The bathroom had a shower stall with seating plus a rain and hand shower. The toiletries were premium Asprey London and Forest Essentials. There was also a dressing table with a chair and a marble tub with bath salts.
The walk-in wardrobe had comfortable slippers, an umbrella, a safety box, an iron, an iron table, a shoe shiner, a laundry bag and a laundry rate chart.
What stood out at the Ritz Carlton Pune was the attention to detail in the room which made our stay extra comfortable.
- The switch to draw the black-out curtains ensured that we stay cosy in bed
- The TV guide was a delight as we didn’t have to flip through all channels to find the one we wanted to watch
- The intimacy kit is something we haven’t noticed at any other hotel
- The bathrobes were super soft and provided in two sizes. The small one fit my 4’11” frame perfectly and I have to say that that has never happened before. I usually have to don the regular oversized bathrobes and float in them.
- There was a chair with a footrest beside the full-sized window to sip coffee or tea while looking out at the greenery of the golf course, the hills, and watch the sunset in absolute comfort.
Restaurants
The hotel has five restaurants. We dined in the first three listed below. The food and drinks at all these restaurants were so delicious that we’re sure to keep visiting them!
The Three Kitchens Restaurant and Bar: This restaurant serves Indian, Pan-Asian, Continental and healthy options. It is a 24-hour restaurant where buffets are also served. We had two meals here during our staycation – an ala carte lunch and breakfast the next day. Whether you like Indian food or western fare, you’ll absolutely enjoy your meals here. We loved the food so much that we returned the very next weekend for Sunday Brunch.
Tip: If you enjoy eating your meals where it is bright and sunny, you should reserve a space in the section shown below beforehand because you’ll never find space here at the last moment. The interior dining rooms of the restaurant don’t have much natural light and there is no outdoor seating space in the restaurant either.
Ukiyo: Ukiyo is a modern Japanese restaurant with understated stone-walled interiors and a hip outdoor space. It is open for lunch and dinner but in my opinion, the dinner vibe is extra special – dimly lit and romantic. We, however, chose to sit at the live counter – the brightest spot of the restaurant- because I like to have a good look at what I’m eating.
We were very wary to dine here because Sushi upsets my stomach often and my vegetarian husband doesn’t find a lot of delicious vegetarian options at Japanese restaurants. But this restaurant proved us both wrong. The food was very well presented and the taste was absolutely mind-blowing – the best we’ve eaten in a very very long. If you go here, do try the Japanese Cheesecake – it melts in the mouth!
Alta Vida: This is a poolside bar and grill with a mostly Mediterranean fare – light bites, healthy grills, and refreshing cocktails. It is an excellent spot to have Hookah in the evening (one of the few spots in a city where you’ll be served one) and a few rounds of drinks. I highly recommend the gin-based cocktail, Great Amun – a grapefruit-flavoured drink with an infusion of lavender. Please ask Ally to prepare you one – he makes the best cocktails!
Alta Vida officially opens at 6:00 PM. However, we did grab a drink and bite here in the day as well though the menu was limited.
Aasmana Rooftop Bar and Lounge: Aasmana is a rooftop bar and Indian restaurant on the 18th floor – perfect for after-work drinks and dinner with a view. There are special events held on Saturday evenings so there may be a cover charge for entry. Also, Aasmana opens in the evening at 6:30 PM and is only accessible to adults who are over 21 years old.
The Ritz Carlton Tea Lounge: The tea lounge is situated in the lobby of the hotel. Inspired by international tea rooms, this elegant lounge serves its flavorful brews along with traditional English accompaniments like savoury pastries, tea cakes, sandwiches, and scones.
Facilities
The hotel has all the facilities you’d look for including complimentary parking and valet, airport transfers, stroller and wheelchair friendly. Some facilities to write home about are:
Infinity pool – The pool at this hotel makes it one of the best places for a staycation in Pune. It is a temperature-controlled infinity pool that overlooks the golf course and the mountains. Trust us, once you get in, you won’t want to get out. The best time to head to the pool is in the evening so you can watch the sunset while enjoying the water. Though do note that since the hotel is in the business hub of the city, you will hear traffic. We chose to ignore that and instead focus on the trees and greenery around us. It is definitely our favourite spot in the hotel!
They have a separate shallow section for children as well.
Gym: Located on the same floor as the pool, the fitness studio is open 24 hours and is very well equipped for your workout routine. Close to the gym, there is a locker facility, changing rooms, steam, sauna, and shower (fab rain shower), with all necessary personal care products and hair dryers. You can use these facilities even after your swim.
Spa: The spa has a vast menu of 5-star treatments including massages, body treatments and facials inspired by ancient healing rituals. The spa looked very inviting though we didn’t have enough time to get a treatment done.
Salon: The Uno Salon is a unisex salon with a wide range of beauty services and treatments.
Ritz Kids: The Ritz Carlton is always a great option if you have little ones. The Ritz Carlton Hotel offer young travellers a plethora of activities right from the moment they check in all the way to their departure.
Concierge Service– In addition to customising an itinerary and arranging transport for your visit to Pune, the concierge can also arrange for a golf session at the adjacent Poona Golf Club Course provided they are informed 24 hours prior.
Club Level: Located on the 18th floor, the Club Lounge offers an exclusive space where you can relax or work while enjoying views of the golf course, private check-in, and a dedicated Club Concierge. Every day there are five complimentary culinary presentations comprising of snacks and beverages offered throughout the day.
Note that the club lounge access needs to be a part of your room package or needs to be purchased separately.
Meeting and Weddings: The hotel boasts 35,000 square feet of meeting and event space. These include indoor and outdoor venues for all types of gatherings. There is a dedicated Wedding Studio where for bespoke wedding services.
Usually, there is a lot of chaos in hotels when an event is being held. What we appreciated was that despite there being an event where the outdoor space was being used to serve a buffet, we didn’t hear any noise while at the pool level nor see any chaos in the hotel lobby.
Note that the hotel is a non-smoking one. While smoking isn’t allowed in the rooms, you can go to the outdoor spaces to smoke. E.g. outside the lobby, around the pool, etc.
The Staff
I have to mention the staff in a separate heading altogether because they made our staycation in Pune all the more special. Throughout our stay, we were asked how our stay was going, if we needed anything else and if everything was up to our expectations. This might be similar to other 5-star hotels in Pune but there was a genuineness in these asks that we haven’t seen much of elsewhere. The ladies and gentlemen of the hotel were always warm, cheerful and so very helpful. Here are some examples:
- We enquired about the restaurant, Ukiyo, while exiting the Three Kitchens restaurant. This person took us all the way to Ukiyo, showed us around, and then asked us what we think and if we’d like to dine here. He then also asked us to choose our seat of preference for the evening and made our reservation. Ordinarily, we would have simply been asked to call Ukiyo or told to go there and enquire but he handled the situation much differently.
- The gentlemen at the pool saw us holding our swimming costumes in our hands and offered a laundry bag so we could carry them with ease. Another gentleman at the pool showed us the way to the changing rooms and told us all about the facilities so we could use them. Normally, someone would have just told us where to go but that’s all.
These are just a few of the many instances. The staff at The Ritz Carlton Pune showed us what true hospitality looks like.
Booking Experience
It is best to book Marriott hotel stays through the Marriott website or App because you’re offered the best rates and also collect Marriott Bonvoy Points with each stay if you’re a member of the Marriott Bonvoy Program
While booking a room at the Ritz Carlton Pune on the app, we got an option to choose our preferred pillow as well! We just went with the standard one and it was quite comfortable but if you’re very specific about your pillow, this might be perfect for you.
Additionally, they have different deals and packages available from time to time. Currently, they have a special Luxury Staycation Package and a Sip Savour Celebrate Package which are excellent for staycations and celebrations.
Check rates, deals and package details here
A Note for Marriott Bonvoy Members
If you’re a Marriott Bonvoy Member then here are a few things you should know as they were a bit different from our other Marriott stays:
- Traditionally, in the Marriot Bonvoy Program if you have Platinum Elite Status or above you are provided with complimentary lounge access. While this is provided in other Marriott hotels over the world, it is not provided at The Ritz Carlton. You have to buy the lounge access separately or book a room which includes the same.
- A 20% discount is given in restaurants generally. However, that is not so at this hotel (we also noted the same in the JW Marriott in Pune recently so maybe the Bonvoy benefits have changed). Instead, you will earn points on the total amount spent at the restaurants. Plus, you have to pay with a credit card to earn points (UPI payment is not accepted in this case)
Why You Should Stay at the Ritz Carlton in Pune
The Ritz Carlton is one of the best places to stay in Pune whether you’re staycationing, visiting for business or in Pune to explore the city. What sets this hotel apart from other luxury hotels in Pune is its central location just minutes away from the airport, view golf course view from the hotel, excellent restaurants catering to all tastes, well-appointed rooms with the most comfortable beds, extremely hospitable and helpful staff and to mention again, the sunset view infinity pool! You can’t go wrong with booking this 5-star hotel for your stay in Pune.
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