India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) (91 page)

The Meadows
Surrounded by 5.2 hectares (13 acres) of pleasant greenery, this small resort is great if you’d rather stay out of town. Accommodations are in a variety of simple cottages, the size and level of privacy varying according to price. Deluxe units are quite basic, so opt for the superior category (ask for G1), with white marble flooring, stiff cane chairs, and tiled bathrooms with drench showers. Save for the striped drapes, there’s not a lot of decoration, but the plain white rooms are fine when contrasted with the lush garden surroundings. There’s plenty here to keep young children occupied (including rabbits) while you relax in a quiet corner after sightseeing under the Maharashtrian sun (albeit with highway traffic noise now a constant presence). Breakfast is served poolside, under large, umbrella-like canopies; exotic birds, wild parrots, and butterflies provide the entertainment, and while staff aren’t all adept at English, everyone puts in a good enough effort.
Note:
Apparently, a major revamp and upgrade is scheduled, and with this might come a big jump in prices; call ahead to check.

Gat no. 135 and 136, Village Mitmita, Aurangabad-Mumbai Hwy., Aurangabad 431 002.
0240/267-7412
through -7421. Fax 0240/267-7416.
www.themeadowsresort.com
. Reservations (Mumbai):
022/6654-8361
or -8362. Fax 022/2203-3622. [email protected] 48 units. Rs 4,950 deluxe double; Rs 6,050 superior double; Rs 9,900 1-bedroom suite; Rs 13,200 2-bedroom suite; Rs 1,320 extra bed. Rates include breakfast. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
2 restaurant; bar; adventure sports on request; free airport and train station transfers; children’s playground; health club and spa; small library (books, music, and movies); large outdoor pool and children’s pool; room service; skating rink. In room: A/C, TV, DVD (in some), hair dryer, minibar (in suites), Wi-Fi (Rs 50/hr.; Rs 960/day).

Taj Residency
This is far and away the best hotel in town, and built with plenty of architectural references to a Mughal palace; the management of this lovely hotel is aiming very high. Not only the look, but also the service, has undergone dramatic improvement, providing elegant digs for both business travelers and vacationing cave-explorers. The deluxe rooms in the newer wing (which seamlessly fuses with the original building) are the most fashionable accommodations—plush and superbly fitted, they all have views over the pool and surrounding garden. But more recent refurbishment has transformed many of the original, more dated rooms into smart executive units with wooden floors and a sleek modern ambience; they’re smaller than the deluxe rooms, and aimed at business travelers, but are the best value here. The hotel gives practical training to students of the hotel management school next door, which often means getting better-than-average service from wide-eyed, very enthusiastic youngsters.
Note:
Plans are afoot to augment services to the deluxe rooms and suites by adding dedicated butlers.

8-N-12 CIDCO, Rauza Bagh, Aurangabad 431 003.
0240/661-3737.
Fax 0240/661-3939.
www.tajhotels.com
. [email protected]. 66 units. Rs 6,500 superior double; Rs 7,500 deluxe double; Rs 9,500 luxury double; Rs 17,000 junior suite; Rs 22,000 luxury suite. Suite rates include breakfast. Rates exclude 10% tax. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
2 restaurants, outdoor barbecue cafe, bar; airport transfers (Rs 323); babysitting; badminton court; concierge; croquet; health club (spa to be added by 2010); minigolf; large outdoor pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (Rs 240/hr.; Rs 600/day).

WHERE TO DINE

The classiest place to eat is at the
Taj Residency
(
0240/661-3939
), where there’s currently a very good round-the-clock cafe-style restaurant with an eclectic menu. We recommend you ask the obliging chef to prepare something Mahatrashtrian—the Malwani fish curry is a good bet, as is their home-style lamb in tomato-onion gravy
(muttonacha pandhra rassa),
but the kitchen can make good suggestions based on your preferences. (Note that there’s also a new Thai and Oriental specialty restaurant scheduled to open at the Taj by 2010.) Another smart choice (at least in terms of the quality of its food), is the pair of side-by-side restaurants at Hotel Amarpreet: they’re called
China Town
and
India Street,
both do delicious, satisfying dishes at very affordable prices, and the attached old-fashioned bar is a real trip down nostalgia lane. Another spot worth trying is
Angeethi
(opposite Nupur Theatre, Jalna Rd.;
0240/244-1988
), one of Aurangabad’s most popular restaurants, particularly with the business set. Try the Afghani chicken masala (pieces of boneless chicken cooked in a cashew-nut gravy), or the popular—and spicy—tandoori chicken masala. For something authentically Maharashtrian, order chicken
kolhapuri
(not on the menu, but ask for it anyway), a spicy-hot chicken dish with a sharp chili, onion, and garlic base; if you can handle the sting, it’s delicious.

Perhaps slightly overrated, we still fancy
Tandoor
(Shyam Chambers, Station Rd.;
0240/232-8481;
daily 11am–3pm and 6:30–11pm) as the best restaurant in town. It’s a very slick multicuisine place that’s been a hot favorite since 1988—although it’s a bit far from the main hotels. You can spend ages pondering the extensive menu, or you can ask the welcoming manager, Mr. Hussain, for his choices. Okra
(bhindi)
is not on the menu but can sometimes be made to order. The house specialty is definitely the kebabs; get a mixed tandoori sizzler with a selection of chicken kebabs or the fenugreek-leaves-flavored
kasturi kebab
(chicken) and
kabuli
tandoori
chicken (marinated in creamy yogurt and flavored with ginger, garlic, turmeric, and white pepper), all outstanding. If you’re looking for a mild curry that’s been delicately prepared to bring out the most subtle flavors, ask for chicken
korma
—the sauce is made from cashew nuts, poppy seeds, sweet-melon seeds, and white sesame seeds. Those craving a break from all things spicy can get the baked vegetables on a bed of spinach.