FAM Trip to Chandigarh by Park Plaza

Recently I went on a FAM trip to the heartful Punjab cloud i.e. Chandigarh organized by Park Plaza, Zirakpur. My train journey (Kalka Shatabdi) started in first class with some fellow bloggers Maneesh, Susmita, Ambica & Pradeep. In 3 hours flat we reached and I felt really happy on reaching Chandigarh. We were taken to our respective cabs by the hotel staff who came looking for us at the station and Jaideep another blogger joined us in our journey on reaching the hotel.

Park Plaza, Zirakpur is managed by Sarovar Hotels & Resorts, India’s fastest growing hotel chain. Located in the heart of the city and yet in a world apart, this elegant upscale hotel makes life simple with its convenient location to the airport, railway station and multiple shopping options.

We were welcomed with apple elixir in champagne glasses & chandan teeka. The whiff of Chandigarh city made my heart full in Zirakpur’s Park Plaza.

I went to the room & saw the bright colours, the comfortable bed, the spacious glass cubicle shower room. There were chocolates waiting in their rooms with jars of cookies and fruits (apples & bananas) to start the day with. I quickly put on some music to get charged up and did my shower thing, make-up & hair styling.

Later during lunch at their restaurant Essence which offers an eclectic mix of world cuisine that combines Indian and international menus , I met Manali Gautam, the PR Manager of Sarovar Hotels dressed in an elegant saree, Michael G Singh, the General Manager and Raman Preet Singh Ahluwalia, the Chef who made wonderful & heartwarming special recipes for us.  The lunch was specially made for us by the chef and everything had fruit based flavours. I loved the Blue Cheese, White Chocolate & Apple Soup. The chef was very knowledgeable and had a lot of experience with the cooking methods and tastes of different people with variance in culture and traditions. He mentioned that he loves bringing new twists & concepts in food.

Raman Preet Singh Ahluwalia

In the evening, I headed for the gym. The gym trainer Vishal was very good & told me stretches and exercise for the body to reduce my weight. I did the cross trainer & treadmill with Russian music playing and then headed for the spa.

The spa I chose was the Signature Urban Nirvana Spa with lots of body stretches & pressure of the masseur at the pressure points of the entire body. After that the body shower made me cool down as the invigoratory scent and aroma of the indulgent oil was washed off and I felt clean detoxified & fresh. Tensions washed away in the sprinkles & shower of the water and the lovely doses and caresses of aromas of essence of Park Plaza emerging and revitalizing the body, mind & soul.

The grand presidential suite was very grand with many comfortable rooms, sitting area, kitchen, bathtub & a big shower cubicle with the fragrances to die and feel indulgent.

They also have deluxe, superior & executive rooms available and there is a separate smoking floor i.e. the 5^th floor. There is a huge party & concert lawn down the aisle with also a conference room and a banquet. Their USP is that they have the largest centrally located banquet hall in Punjab.

The next day was a beautiful morning sunrise at 7 AM at Sukhna Lake. I felt so pure & divine with people running in the park, jogging, keeping fit doing exercise, aerobics & yoga. The lake looked so beautiful & harmonious, the sun shining like gold on the water. The rays of positivity & optimism with golden light scattered all around a reflection & aura I can never forget.

Later in the hotel, I ordered Omelette with coriander & green chillies and it came hot with French fries, salt & pepper and toasted brown bread slices. It was very nicely presented & wonderful to eat. Even the Pasta Arrabiata (with bell peppers, thyme, corn, zucchini & black olives in red sauce) which I had in the evening was very good. It wasn’t much spicy with superb marination & texture served with chilli, oregano & cheese.

Returning back in the train, I watched the movie Queen while having breakfast & talking with friends and remembering the experience leaving Chandigarh behind making way back to Delhi with the morning energy. I was missing the hotel & thanking them in my heart for such a peaceful & comfortable stay. The staff was very kind & supportive.

Maneesh, Ambica, me & Jaideep (L-R)

I loved my stay because I felt revived, replenished & energized and calm from within after visiting the peaceful city and am thankful to the hospitality of Park Plaza who made every little attempt to make this trip possible.