design et al are delighted to announce that Virtuous Retail have been shortlisted for Hotel Suite Asia Pacific Award in The International Hotel and Property Awards 2017.
The Waverly Hotel & Residences takes its inspiration from the rich colonial heritage of the surrounding Whitefield area – a formally planned Anglo-Indian settlement in India, boasting of a relaxed lifestyle, colonial style architecture, quaint bungalows, sprawling orchards and farms. The name comes from the Waverly Inn where Winston Churchill used to stay, located in Whitefield when he was posted here as a young Lieutenant. Rumour has it that during his visits, Churchill courted Rose Hamilton, the daughter of James Hamilton, who was the then owner of the Inn.
The Waverly today pays tribute to Whitefield’s rich historical British connection through a ‘colonial meets contemporary’ outlook in its design. With an aim to create a quintessential “home away from home”, catering to global professionals and their families and ideal for both short & long stays, The Waverly is located within the VR Bengaluru campus – a mixed use development. A mix of colonial black and white chequered flooring, rich polished wood and deep pile carpeting has been used on the floors. The walls are either painted in vibrant solid colours or dressed in bright patterned wallpapers. The furniture is a mix of contemporary and colonial pieces – from white wicker chairs in The Verandah, the green leather Chesterfield sofas, to the modern and linear writing & bedside tables.
The walls are lined with large white bookshelves full of well-thumbed books from the city’s well known second-hand bookstores. Each room has a unique décor – in the use of colour on the walls, upholstery, rugs, art and objects. The history of Whitefield and its surrounding areas comes alive at The Waverly Hotel & Residences through its 54 luxurious and spacious rooms, a modern British pub called The Whitefield Arms, hotel Veranda, and the Living Room; providing a modern experience with historical notes that Sir Churchill would have appreciated. Offering unparalleled accommodation in 2293 sq. ft. the Churchill Suite, are three bedroom residences on the 5th floor truly sets the standard in design and amenities.
Providing the feeling of an upscale apartment, these residences could easily be in one of London’s neighbourhoods. All bedrooms have privately attached bathrooms. Also featured is a fully equipped contemporary kitchen, a dining area that seats six, two formal living rooms and a powder room. The three bedroom residences provides all premium amenities a long stay guest or family would require. The moment one steps into The Waverly hotel, one is transported to old world Whitefield. The Living Room hosts British Artist Piers Bourke’s popular tryptich “Soon to be Removed” series – the telephone boxes in the colours of the Union Jack and the English script written like Hindi fonts, are a perfect fit for The Waverly.
The corridors are adorned with contemporary art, also for sale, thereby making the space ever changing and tastefully dynamic. Through a careful scouring of old shops in the city; old books, an antique grandfather clock, lanterns, keepsake boxes, candle stands, toy cars, small furniture items, rugs, and wonderful witty orange ceramic double decker buses have been put up in the rooms. The polished wooden clothes valet in every room which has a small drawer for small jewellery/cuff links is a reminder of a bygone era. The works of a celebrated local cartoonist, Paul Fernandes also feature on the walls in each room – these caricatures depict old Bangalore in a witty and lighthearted way. A walk back into the history is coupled with the flexibility to combine the next-door bedrooms to form two or three bedroom suites, which lends spacious living rooms, dining room, kitchen, a powder room and walk in closets. The hotel is located in the entrepreneurial bowl of the city and along with the other conveniences available in the campus, the hotel design is a part of every guest’s conversation.