Hotel Review: Is Paul Bangalore one of the best 5-star hotels in Bangalore or not?

Are you visiting Bengaluru soon and looking for one of the best 5-star hotels to stay in Bangalore? Read my detailed review of the Paul Bangalore hotel before booking your stay.

Bangalore, the silicon valley of India, is a hub of start-ups and technology firms. One of the most visited cities in India by business travellers, it soon started feeling the crunch of space. As the city’s start-ups ecosystem flourished, space became the biggest luxury. I have been to Bengaluru innumerable times on business and have stayed at several luxury hotels. But this time, the purpose of my visit was completely different. I decided to take a staycation in the heart of the city without stepping out of my hotel. As I didn’t want to sleep in a cramped 200 sq. ft hotel room, I opted for a business luxury hotel where space wasn’t a constraint. The Paul Bangalore Hotel became my default choice. Now you’ll wonder why I chose this hotel when there is no shortage of the best luxury hotels in Bangalore. 

Here is my honest review of why the Paul Hotel is one of the best hotels in Bangalore.

Here’s a detailed vlog about my stay experience at the Paul Bangalore Hotel.

Location of the Paul Bangalore Hotel

Whenever booking a hotel, location becomes my number one factor to consider. Whether I am on a work trip or leisure trip, I try to stay in the city’s heart as I don’t want to spend unnecessary money and time on transportation. And this time was no different. I asked around which is the best location to stay in Bangalore. I got many options to choose from – Koramangala, Indiranagar, M.G., Malleswaram, HSR Layout, Kammanahalli, Rajajinagar and a lot more. Finally, I settled for ‘The Paul Bangalore’ because it is strategically positioned in the heart of the city. Located in the CBD of Bangalore, the hotel is 3.5 km from Bagmane Tech Park, which houses major Fortune 500 companies. Baring the Bangalore International Airport (which is 43 km from the hotel), everything seems to be nearby – whether it is the Bangalore Railway Station (12 km), M.G. Road (4 km) or the major shopping areas of Indiranagar and Koramangala. Next to the property, there are both residential areas and tech giants. 

Paul Bangalore Hotel Entrance and Lobby

As my car approached the hotel, I was a bit confused traversing through the residential area lanes, but as I entered the hotel, I was in for a big surprise. The first feature of the property that captured my attention was the soaring atrium. The spacious atrium is tastefully designed to create the setting of an oasis through the use of lush indoor foliage of a rainforest, clusters of palms, gurgling fountains, and natural materials, such as wood, slate and granite. A large fabric roof—reminiscent of tents in a desert—covers the atrium, allowing the space to be used in all weather conditions. The best part about the atrium is that in a time when Climate change is such a big issue, the Paul Bangalore has found a way to keep a large open area naturally air-conditioned, well ventilated and lit by a semi-open, tensile fabric covered top. Thus, saving electricity used for air conditioning and lighting. The atrium holds the Sidewalk Cafe & Bar, lounge, reception and concierge desk.

Being part of the Paul John Hotels, the Paul Bangalore too is designed in a way that is very luxurious but not in your face. Unlike other five-star hotels in Bangalore, the hotel is very chic and modern but aesthetically understated rather than colourful Baroque. You see a lot of beige and cream hues that are pleasing to the eyes. I couldn’t help but notice the magnificent artworks collected from different parts of the world.

Rooms

The Paul Bangalore is an all-suite Luxury Business Hotel with 57 suites. There are four room categories ranging from 600 to 1250 square feet – Studio Suite, Two-bedroom Executive Suite, Two-bedroom Premium Suite and Two bedroom Club Suite. I stayed in the Maharaja Club Suite, which could house a big family. It had two bedrooms with attached balconies and bathrooms, one spare bathroom, one living room with a dining hall and kitchen and a well-stocked bar with premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Hotel amenities

Besides an outdoor pool, the hotel has a fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment, steam and a sauna.

Restaurants

If Paul Bangalore’s architecture and rooms can be so well thought of, how can food be less? The hotel offers multiple dining options, including three speciality restaurants, Bangalore’s only hotel based Microbrewery called Murphy’s Brewhouse and 24-hour room service.

I’ve to admit Paul Bangalore knows its flavours pretty well. Even a mundane thing like a welcome drink is prepared with a lot of thought, and I still remember the refreshing litchi and dragon fruit welcome drink. The head chef Mukesh Jha and his team ensure that you never forget the deliciousness of their restaurants long after your trip is over.

Now let me share my experience of trying out their various restaurants.

Sidewalk Café and Bar 

Nestled at the hotel’s atrium, the Sidewalk Café & Bar has a warm and cosy ambience. Designed like a European bistro, you can feast on an array of sumptuous international cuisines, including Italian, Pan Asian, American, Continental, Indian, and more. Their breakfast buffet spread is incredibly lavish with live cooking stations and a separate health zone filled with different kinds of fruits, salads, cold cuts, and juices. 

They have a daily rotating menu and pocket-friendly price, making it a hit amongst corporate lunches and weekend brunches. The Sidewalk Cafe is open round the clock, and you can either opt for a buffet at mealtimes, order ala carte or room service. 

TSW Tip: Don’t forget to try their Horlicks barfi, moti choor ladoo, and two types of sambhar (Kerala and Karnataka). Their wood-fired oven pizzas are also delicious and of enormous size. 

Vembanad

Located on the fourth floor of the Paul, Vembanad is a multi-award-winning fine dining coastal restaurant. Named after a very picturesque Vembanad Lake that happens to be the longest lake in the country and the largest in Kerala, the restaurant would leave you enthralled with its food quality. As I walked into Vembanad restaurant, I felt I had entered a “Tharavadu” house in Kerala.

The decor was quintessentially Kerala style, with a lit Nillavillaku (traditional brass lamp) placed at its entrance and a wooden snake boat decorated with flowers and candles. The moody, warm lighting in the restaurant enhanced the beauty of the carved wooden ceiling, wood-panelled walls, terracotta-tiled floors and heavy antique-styled teak furniture. The female staff were dressed in the traditional Kerala saree – Kasavu saree. My local friends had told me that this is the best restaurant for coastal cuisine in Bangalore, especially their fish and prawns. Being a vegetarian, I enjoyed my Vazha Koombu Cultlet, cheera pakora, and Pachakari Istew with freshly prepared appams on a live counter. 

Paul Brewhouse 

This happens to be my local friends’ favourite hangout place, and all of them had recommended me to visit it. So, I did, and this is what I found. Murphy’s Brewhouse, the first Irish microbrewery in Bangalore, is an excellent place to hang out with friends. Although I am not much of a beer person, I admit Paul Brewhouse does serve good Irish stout beer (saying from experiencing the beers in Ireland). My favourite of their four home-brewed beers was their Holy Sally, a Belgian wheat beer that was refreshing and flavorful!

I even took their Microbrewery tour, which I found pretty interesting. Arun and Karthik, the brewers at the microbrewery, are really very knowledgeable and passionate about brewing beers (do watch Karthik spill the beans in my vlog.) 

Masaledani 

Unfortunately, I couldn’t try this speciality restaurant that serves Indian Mughlai cuisine. But there’s always a next time to try.  

Service and Staff

Last but not least, my review would be incomplete without mentioning the people behind the impeccable service I got. I must say the staff of the Pual Bangalore are gold class when it comes to high standards of running a hotel. From the front desk to the chefs, all the staff members were very friendly and genuinely caring. Special mention to Sridhar, Naveen, Chef Mukesh, Chef Bino and Karthik (both the brewer and the front office executive) for providing me with a delightful experience.

Things I missed

I truly enjoyed my stay at the Paul Bangalore Hotel. What really stood out to me was the quality of service, the food and beverage, and the classy design of the hotels. My only qualms were that I wish I were travelling around Onam time because, at that time, the ambience of the hotel, especially Vembanad, is very festive and their sadhya is the best in the town. Also, I wish I was there to enjoy their Sunday brunch at Sidewalk Cafe. But there’s always the next time.

So, are you ready to stay at the Paul Bangalore next time you are in the city? 

How to book 

• You can book directly by visiting their website, The Paul Bangalore.
• Alternatively, you can also book through any third party website like Makemytrip, Yatra, Agoda, TripAdvisor or any other aggregator

Read More

If you want to read some more stories from Bangalore and around, don’t forget to read the following stories.

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• Gokarna – the land of unspoiled beaches

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