DiscoverBangalore is pleased to to bring our next unbiased review on our series of Reviews on Bangalore Restaurants. Our freelance writer U B Githa this time visited a resotel just outside of Bangalore - Parkfield Resotel at Hoskote, 35 kms from Bangalore.

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PARKFIELD RESOTEL - WEEKEND GETAWAY
#173, off Chintamani Main Road, HOSKOTE, BANGALORE 562114
Tel: +91 80 27901017/27901018

Sitting under the inky dark sky, with a glass of cocktail in hand, gazing at the far away twinkling blurbs of lights with the cool nippy December breeze weaving geometric patterns on the mat of blue waters of the pool, and whispering sweet nothings --Does one need to escape to far away places ? The gazebo affords views of the different shades of green all around, as stone pavilions skirt the border on one side of the pool. Here the delicate and the rugged are well balanced. With such magic in the air it wouldn’t be a surprise if the three wise men on x’mas eve descended at the Parkfield Resotel at Hoskote, located 35 kms from Bengaluru, exotically crafted on a landscape of 35 acres. Plans are afoot for a one of its kind helipad facility. Drifting into dream land is so much fun here. That’s where I was on the 24th December; at the Park field’s maiden event in 2005 as the Resotel threw open its doors to welcome their guests on X-mas eve with a new address in the directory of getaway places.

The topography changes and the city is left far behind as you drive past two lakes with winged visitors rummaging in their clear waters, undulating greenery of the fields on both sides of the road and herds of buffalos returning home at goduli time (dusk) with their cowherds whistling a beaty tune. As you enter the resotel the gentle music from the Bamboo groves, the distinct architecture, which is one of contemporary fusion probably of the mexican, sunny mediterranean and the traditional (Vijayanagara style), a handiwork of Mr. Alex Jacob with a vision. the smiling young staff exuding genuine warmth greet you. The greens, creams, rust and browns within and without makes the connect with nature easier. The 35 rooms are in 3 different sizes with a price range from 5000/= to 8000/- (inclusive of 3 meals and taxes) and located on the top floor affording an unhindered view of the landscaped gardens.

The kitchen serving only ethnic THATTAKADA Kerala cuisine (and not the multi cuisine) leads to the huge Gulmohur dining hall designed to let in the natural outside breeze. Only the stone Jaalis (latticed stone/terracotta windows) and saambrani (perfumed powder that emits a pleasing odour when burnt that keeps all our winged evening friends at bay) were amiss. The spacious lobby and two conference halls are all on the ground level. The corridors in open street style add charm to the Mediterranean architecture. Rooms are very spacious and like the surroundings do not give the feeling of being hemmed in. The lobby that opens to the outside where pyramid shaped stone fountains let out thin jet streams of clear water is indeed a visual treat. The gazebo and the pergolas are just that – spectator areas with a sweeping view meant to unwind and relax the senses with nary a thought.

Mr.Cherian Paul, the far sighted NRI Chairman with his futuristic approach has appropriately marketed this as a RESOTEL where Business meets Pleasure (BMP) as the ambience of a resort and the business in a star hotel co mingle. Mr.Venu Rao brings his vast experience of having worked at the Taj and Windsor groups and in overseeing the development of many such hospitality properties, has been closely associated with this resotel from its inception, as also its marketing. Exuding friendliness and charm, he epitomizes this fusion (BMP) redefining the concept of hospitality. His casual remark that he has butterflies in his stomach is a pointer that he doesn’t take his guests for granted as every guest is made to feel special here. There is no park or field in the vicinity but Venu Rao tells me that this is a part of the chain of “Southern Hospitality” headquartered at Kerala and that PARKFIELD is the brand name.

The crisp cookies fresh from their ovens and the X-mas cake with the right mix of all the ingredients and spices with the subtle flavour of the rum were tasty. Mr.Rao stating that the cake is very LITE and that it will not lighten the spirits humorously coaxed us to have a cake apiece. The cake mixing ceremony was held two months ago with the guests joining the bakers with gusto. But the cake could have been removed from the oven that much earlier to complement the taste. The starters of roasted cashews, masala peanuts, French fries and Gobi Manchurian were the precursors of a wonderful spread that would follow shortly and set the evening going. The Gobi (cauliflower- in Hindi) Manchurian was not wrapped in the routine corn flour coating that feels like one is biting into a crab shell or the florets cruising in dripping gravy with onion rings and garlic bits tangoing at odds. Here I could feel the individual florets just dipped in hot salty water, with a light coating of the batter before it was fried teasing the taste buds. The carols, jazz music, Santa with his bag of chocolates, the fire works and the non stop dancing and fun had all the 85 revelers in the best of their elements. The buffet that followed the gung ho evening with a range of rotis right from the tandoor, piping hot dosas, pilaf, varied curries, and the traditional Kerala dessert of paahz payasam(rice flour cooked in thick milk base), ice cream and huge soft Gulab Jamuns was indeed hotte puje(kannada for heavenly manna).

Want to connect with yourself and with nature and not go green with envy, then one must head to this classy premium segmented Resotel that has a 24 hour check out. The facilities that can be availed are the wi fi, hot zone giving one the internet connectivity near the pool, the meditation space for a dose of nirvana and the spa and the ayurvedic centre to be opened shortly promise to be a rejuvenator of the body, soul and the mind. The upcoming 6 hole golf course is targeted at the ITPL corporate crowd, just 18 kms away.

The board rooms and conference halls are inspired for hardcore decisions accommodating groups from 35-300 paxs. The bar with its high stooled seating and swathed in warm golden hues is like as if one is on the deck of a ship with the view of the waters from the pool. With a Kerala boat at the pool in the days to come the experience will be complete. The bamboo enclave in the herbaria has rare saplings grown for the purpose of gifting and later for sale. There is also a patch of medicinal plants grown for their Ayurvedic practioner.

The place is catching the attention and fancy of Bangaloreans with bookings made for the next 30 days and events planned and tailored to suit the corporate guests requirements.

The ambience in itself can have the adrenalin thumping. The locale, the food and that extra which goes a long way in making a difference is the mantra (hymn) of Parkfield and a refreshing weekend getaway for families or groups.

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