On the eve of our 3rd wedding anniversary in December 2020, Minal and myself were weighing our options to celebrate the occasion given the pandemic was showing signs of slowing in India but was still a threat nevertheless. We knew from the outset that a vacation which included travel wasn't a good idea but with Hyderabad witnessing a steep decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases recorded each day, we decided to spend the anniversary at a luxury accomodation in Hyderabad itself. We started looking at some resorts but none of them was appealing enough forcing us to look at luxury hotels. After reading about multiple hotels, their facilities and safety measures, we zeroed in on The Trident.
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| Illustrative image of The Trident from Google Image search |
The choice became easier as the hotel made our third night's stay complimentary on booking 3 nights. And with that, we were set for our mini vacation of sorts.
Arrangements for our stay
As we arrived at Trident, the safety measures for the guests were in place and evident. Our car was sanitized at entry and so was the baggage near the lobby. Our temperatures were checked and we were only allowed inside after sanitizing our hands and having our masks on. The check in was quick and were escorted to our room by the hotel staff member who reprised the facilities at the hotel, their locations and timings on the way. Trident is considered one of the city's best hotels and it was easy to tell why just looking at the ambience as we entered the hotel.
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| Entrance to the lobby |
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| Seating in the lobby area |
We had a surprise in store for us as we entered our room. I had made a request to give us a quiet room on a high floor as it was our anniversary and the management went a step ahead to make it special for us. The room was decorated with balloons and props everywhere.
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| The room decorated with balloons and props |
That wasn't all. They also sent in a special anniversary chocolate cake to the room an hour later. Of course a lot of restaurants today celebrate special days with cakes on the house but in the case of Trident, we didn't even have to ask. The arrangements were already in place.
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| The anniversary cake |
Breakfast at Amara
Amara is Trident's in house multi cuisine restaurant and breakfast venue. The safety measures in place were surprising if not weird. We were provided a plastic container on arrival for breakfast and were requested to put our face masks in the contaner and carry it with us to the table. And all guests were allowed open access to the buffet making it uncomfortable for us at times when there were too many people around. Nevetheless, Amara'a continental spread had decent variety with multiple fruit and bread choices. The Indian spread seemed limited initially with only idli and poha available, we were told a lot of other items including dosa, chole bhature, parathas etc. could be ordered to the table from the live counters.
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Cereals
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| Breads, Muffins & Croissants |
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| Cut Fruits |
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| Fruit Basket |
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| Fresh Fruit Juices |
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Poha and Upma
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During the course of our stay, we tried most of the items and they were well cooked and tasted really good. However, what made our breakfast and stay itself memorable was the service at Amara. All the staff members took really good care of us and made sure we got what we wanted to eat. I must mention the restaurant manager Chetan for his personal interest in our food choices and suggestions for our food. The fact that he got us another cake for anniversary on finding out with decorations made it a special gesture for us.
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| Special Anniversary Cheese Cake at Amara |
Amenities at Trident
Although we didn't explore at lot at the hotel, we did check the pool side and gym out. While the pool was closed in line with government restriction owing to COVID-19, the pool side was still accessible if we wanted to just go there and soak in the sun. The gym however was fully functional and also had a trainer available in the mornings. Then again, there isn't too much to write about it other than the fact that the ongoing situation with the pandemic probably kept people away as the gym was totally deserted.
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| The gymnasium |
Thoughts on the stay
We went to Trident to celebrate our anniversary but didn't have anything in mind about what we wanted to do. That's where Trident chipped in and did so for us. Throughout our stay, at Amara especially we were given special treatment by the staff. The room was spacious, had an excellent view of the city and the chefs got us the best they had. They even capped off our stay with a parting rasmalai and muffins for the road.
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The parting dessert
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Easily the most memoerable hotel stay in a long time and we left with many memories certain that we would return one day which we hope will be soon.
That wasn't all. They also sent in a special anniversary chocolate cake to the room an hour later. Of course a lot of restaurants today celebrate special days with cakes on the house but in the case of Trident, we didn't even have to ask. The arrangements were already in place.
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