Home / ANALYSIS / Front of House / She walks in beauty

The lobby offers a muted sophistication with its glass, marble, and warm wood materials that blend perfectly well with the aesthetics of the sylvan su
[More Images]

The newly opened The Claridges in Surajkund, with its traditional courtyard, draws its inspiration of space from the vast landscape surrounding it, says Sapna Kulshrestha.

Nestled in the lap of tranquil Surajkund, on the outskirts of New Delhi, is the amphitheatre-like architecture of The Claridges, that opened its doors in April this year.

While its exterior draws its design reference from its location, the modern interiors exhibit a feel of spaciousness and calm.

Story continues below

Advertisement

COMMENT Comment on this article

Designed by P Interiors & Associates, an interior design firm from Thailand, the lobby and public areas with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, are wrapped around a picturesque courtyard with al fresco seating, and a water body showcasing a synchronised fountain set to music and light.

“The musical fountain is the main USP of the hotel,” declares Oliver C Martin, general manager, The Claridges, Surajkund. “I believe this is a very unique set-up we have here, which hasn’t been done in India before – to have the courtyard surrounded by the lobby. Obviously, the fountain makes it all different and exotic; all the rooms have a view of it too. People really enjoy being in the courtyard, just relaxing over drinks or dinner, especially with the weather so nice now.”

The Art Lounge in the lobby has spartan yet warm interiors dominated by a handcrafted mural in blown glass, which creates a vibrant work of irregular forms.

Further down, Oasis, the all-day diner, has a majestic ambience complemented by expansive indoor and outdoor space and natural light, while inside the Blue Bar, on the same floor, modernism is mixed with elements of local art giving an Indian flavor to the global look.

The building façade overlooking this central courtyard is a low-lying, structure with clean, straight lines and multilevel curved balconies with bougainvillea creepers.

At night, the hotel offers an intricate interplay of water, light, and music, with its colour changing LED lights and lighted torches on either ends of the green space.