Golfing at Marriott’s latest Bengaluru property
- Featured Travel & Hospitality
Schenelle Dsouza- 13 minutes read
Schenelle Dsouza
Golf is surely witnessing a surge in the country, even among the young, thanks to sports icons such as Aditi Ashok. Marriott recently launched a property in Bengaluru called the JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort and Spa, part of its Marriott Bonvoy loyalty programme, and announced golfer Shiv Kapur as a Marriott Bonvoy ambassador.
Marriott is not only one of the largest hotel chains but also among the oldest, having been founded close to a century ago in May 1927.
Among Marriott International’s 106 properties worldwide, nine have come up in India. Their most recent launch is by far one of the grandest properties that they own in the country as well as their newest — JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa — which was officially inaugurated last month on March 15.
JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire
A massive 275-acre property in Bengaluru’s countryside, Prestige Golfshire is a gem that sits in the lap of the majestic Nandi Hills. The best part about travelling to the hotel is the comparatively short ride from the airport, a big relief for many. While most hotels and properties in Bengaluru sit hours away from the airport, Prestige Golfshire is a mere 25-minute ride to-and-from the Kempegowda International Airport.
The short but pleasant ride is complemented by a breathtakingly beautiful landscape, lush greenery, clear skies if you’re in luck, and of course the grand Nandi Hills! Stepping foot through the front door once is instantly taken aback by the grandeur of the hotel and of course the staff’s hospitality.
The property has been developed by luxury real estate group Prestige who have designed other hotels in the country. The interiors of the hotel have been curated by a leading hospitality design firm – Hirsch Bedner Associates of Singapore, who thoughtfully incorporated elements of nature into the hotel’s design.
“The architects and designers have tried to incorporate elements of nature into the hotel; so much so that whatever space you’re in –the lobby, or the restaurant, you will have lots of sunlight and perfect views of the outdoors,” adds Singh.
Conceptualized by Bengaluru-based architectural firm Thomas and Associates, the hotel’s sleek, modern architecture is said to be inspired by the beauty of the region’s silk. “There is a weaving of the region’s silk into various elements of the hotel,” says Singh. “For example, the stairs in the lobby have an intricate silk detailing which is minimalistic but also aesthetic.”
Abundant space
The biggest highlight of the Prestige Golfshire hotel is the massive 18-hole golf course, which is a remarkable sight, even if you aren’t interested in the sport!
The hotel is spacious; for instance, the convention centre sprawls over 35,000 sq. ft. with the capacity to host over 4,000 guests, making it an ideal location for weddings, events or business conventions.
Aside from the convention centre, the hotel’s spa is another massive addition with 20,000-sq. ft. An exclusive private sanctuary, Spa by JW is perfect for a wellness holiday. It promises to rejuvenate one’s senses. The spa comprises seven luxurious therapy rooms, which include two couple rooms, an Ayurveda room as well as a manicure and pedicure suite.
JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa also features a modern, fully-equipped fitness centre. Another impressive feat the number of pools ar the hotel: two outdoor pools, a lap pool, and a temperature-controlled lagoon pool with a relaxing Jacuzzi!
The accommodations in the hotel include as many as 301 rooms; all spread out across four floors, through four different wings. With a view that is to die for, each room offers a combined view of everything — the lawns, the golf course and the Nandi Hills.
Despite the abundant open space, the hotel does a fantastic job to let the open space be, without overcrowding the surrounding areas.
Exclusively at Marriott
This property is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio which extends to some of the world’s most luxurious hotel chains including Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis and W Hotels.
According to Singh, “There are many benefits of becoming a Marriott Bonvoy member. First and foremost they get to experience the best of Marriott Hotels, which includes resorts and premium home rentals.”
Members can earn points for their stays which can be redeemed for a multitude of experiences like Food and Beverage, spa therapies and Marriott Bonvoy Moments which deliver invaluable experiences like a one-on-one golf lesson with professional golfer Shiv Kapur who has had a longstanding association with Marriott, and is now a Marriott Bonvoy ambassador. According to Kapur, “The whole idea behind this Marriott Bonvoy Program is to curate unforgettable experiences that money can’t buy.” Shiv Kapur is accessible to Marriott Bonvoy members to learn more about golf through masterclasses, and special Q&A sessions.
“As part of the loyalty program, guests get to spend time with me; have a one-on-one session. I will conduct master classes with the guests and clients at JW Marriott, to share my knowledge of the game. I will let them caddy for me for a day, help them get in the mind of a professional player and truly understand the game,” adds Kapur. Kapur won the gold medal for golf in the 2002 Asian Games.
Golf in India
The progression of golf in India has been slow in the uptake according to Kapur. The reason for this, he says is, “…the lack of public golf courses in the country. Even in a city like Mumbai, which I believe is the New York of India; there are not enough golf courses. There are ones like Willingdon Club and The Bombay Presidency Golf Club which are all members’ only clubs.”
The lack of golf courses might have limited the public interest in golf. However, slowly but steadily, golf in India has picked up interest over the years. “There are many more golf courses in the country today, granted most of them are members clubs, but there is availability,” says Kapur.
