Leela Palace..pool & room

Have you ever seen one of those 'flat' pools? You know the kind that look like they are just a sheet of glass, where the water appears to be the same level as the outside surrounding tile? Well if you can envision that, now imagine it be 25 meters long and who knows how wide (very). With the entire pool covered in tiny shimmering shades of bright aqua blue tile, and all of the water being at a depth of 4 ft. Surrounded by buff colored rough tile, and lots of lounge chairs with thick cushioning and brown and white striped towels. Strategically placed umbrellas and small end tables, with absolutely every kind of palm tree, flower and flowering trees that you can imagine.

On the north side of the pool are two fixed gazebos that have rattan shades that can be lowered on all sides and filmy white sheer muslin type material that also drapes down. The tops have domes that looks like copper, but I think its just painted to look like a patina. Two tables in each at waist height== and for the right price you can get a full body massage while you gaze at the pool while a nice gentle breeze flows over you. In between the 2 gazebos is a shelf that has the towels neatly rolled and placed ready for use, drinks, phone, and little misters that you can spray yourself with while you are lying in the sun (or shade).

The east side trails away down a little path, crosses a bridge an if you go left from there you walk along the outside of the hotel into a beautiful oasis of greenery, running streams and a pagoda. If you go straight, you enter into the hotel proper and if you hang a right, its the outside portion of The Citrus, one of four restaurants inside the hotel. That's right I said four.

On the west side of the pool there is a room that you have to go up about 10 steps or so to get into. The wall that faces the pool is entirely glass. It appears to be an workout room as it has a few machines in there and steps, which I presume are for step aerobics. I guess maybe that's the reward for working out..you can walk out and jump in the pool. If you go "under" the building, there are bathrooms and showers for pool use.

Yes, I was reflecting on all of this today as I was lying there eating my snickers bar, sipping my water and reading my book. Then I looked up into the crystal blue sky and saw a bald eagle flying overhead. Ahh..now this is living! I know you think I'm kidding, but I'm not. For all of you scoffers out there, I suggest you go to google and put in leela palace bangalore india and see what comes up. Believe me I really can't give it credit trying to describe it.

After spending the entire glorious day floating around in the pool,(basically had it to myself) (except for the waiters that came out occasionally and asked if I wanted anything) I decided to head back in and take a shower before Mike got back from work (mu-wha-ha-ha) Must be clean for dinner and playing billiards later. ;)

I decided to take the 'back' way in as I was still quite wet. I meandered down the little hidden path (near the workout room) and ended up at a back door. Opened and went down a rather long flight of marbled steps (by the way..its all marble here) Went through 2 sets of double doors and wandered down to the workout room and spa area. NICE, fully equipped (not that I would darken the door) where you can work your little heart out, or if you so choose get a major spa treatment. The have a whole book describing what they can do to you in that room. yikes Rounded a corner and ended up by the elevators (4 of them) pushed the button and was whisked off to the 5th floor. I do mean whisked, silent, fast and smooth. All brass and marble of course, with 3 sides mirrored and the 4th being the doors which are brass.

(I'll describe the fifth floor in a minute) I finally made it down to my room. Ah...my room. :<) If anyone knows me at all, they know I love Ethan Allen. My room looks like an Ethan Allen showroom! yippeee. Marble (surprise, surprise) when you enter the hallway and then gorgeous wood flooring that looks cherry stained. Large poster bed with two beautiful night stands on either side. On the nightstand a 2 tiered tray with chocolates on it (stamped with leela palace in gold) and a water bottles with a crystal glasses to drink out of. (replaced everyday...tempted to tell them to take it out..we are going to be so fat!)

A couch over to the right of that with a brass floor lamp. In front of the couch a glass coffee table on wrought iron legs with a tidbit tray with cookies on them. (sm. persian rug underneath) A silver bowl with water in it and rose petals and a glass tray with oranges, apples, kiwi, pear and I think a tangerine. Also 3 papers too choose from.

Across from the couch is a oval desk (glassed top) with two chairs on either side. A brass colored lamp on that and immediately above it a thick beveled mirror. Beside the table is a magazine rack and then after that a stand for luggage. Across from the foot of the bed is an amoire which has a tv, stereo and a dvd player. And a binder that has a listing of about 40 to 50 dvds that are yours for the asking. Unfortunately most are the type we wouldn't look at anyway..still the idea. Also has cds that you can borrow if you didn't bring your own. If you want to use the stereo for wake-ups you can, or just ask the front desk to give you a wake up.

That pretty much makes the circuit of the room and then your back to the hallway which has a double door closet (including room safe) then a bombay chest (loaded with goodies and small fridge inside) then another double door closet. To the right is the bathroom. Floor & walls all marble, another Ethan Allen showroom. Large free standing vanity with a huge matching mirror and sconces above. A separate tub over to the right (say it with me..DEEP)(with another mirror the size of the tub over that) and then a free standing shower with glass walls. Separate room for the toilet. Maybe for the rich and famous its no big deal, but for me it has to be the most exquisite hotel I've ever seen.

Wait! I'm not finished. As I said we are on the 5th floor, we also have a walk out balcony. Two rattan chairs and table out there and we are also the only floor that has a running flower box around the hotel. The hotel is a U shape. I'm not quite up to snuff on my plants (mom would know) but its that fushia colored papery looking plant..bougevilla? (sp.) Anyhoo, I'll try and get Mike to put out some photos. Our room faces into the courtyard so we have a gorgeous view of the waterfalls and garden below. And we really do have eagles swooping around. So cool.

WEll, I've only covered the room and the pool and I'm exhausted. You'll have to wait for another day for the rest of the place. Hopefully not as long as my last posting! haa sorry...bout that.

Mary

...we're moving on up...to the eastside...to a deeeluxe apartment..in the sky-hiii, yeah moving on up...we finally got a piece of the... pi-hiiiiiiiii!
'weezy jefferson'