Vivanta by Taj hotels across India

Travelling in India is a unique experience. The sights, sounds and smells are quintessentially Indian that are ever present from the moment you arrive at the airport and move through security. The road networks in Southern India are to the uninitiated traveller utter chaos with five lanes of traffic negotiating a single track road with minimal incident although maximum use of the horn. The surrounding buildings place beautifully ornate three story homes next to dust bowls with only a shack present.  Setting the scene for a stay in India makes it potentially a nervous decision when choosing a hotel where the local landscape appears a completely different world. Enter a chain of luxury hotels appealing to business and holiday travellers alike with Vivanta by Taj (www.vivantabytaj.com) that is a chain of hotels owned no surprises by the Tata group who see to have a stake in most of  India's infrastructure. The hotels are generally 5 star and seeking to cater for all needs with well appointed rooms with catering accommodating local and international cuisine. With pools, gym and wifi available it is easy for a business traveller to forget where they are and maximise the value in any stay. Security on face value is tight with walled perimeters and guards checking the underside of cars and metal detectors for bags and guests. This is the result of a bombing previously on the chain where they now take this more seriously. That said it is only a token effort and in six days of staying I set the metal detector off daily without any enquiry. The hotel is what you need though with quality rooms and all the facilities you would expect. Epic?  It is certainly enough.