Ravi Shankar, CEO Anantara Hospitality talks about Laika, Boutique Stay in Bangalore

The word 'Laika' rolls off the tongue as the erotic touch of a woman. Sweet and unforgettable, it conjures up a sense of beauty amongst the wild. Perhaps this compelling mysticism was the secret behind Kyler England's song 'Laika', which she wrote for 'A Flower Grows in Stone' whilst on the road with her guitar.

Laika, the flower, is delicate, beautiful, innocent and sensual all rolled into one. It is about creativity, art and experiences - to be remembered for time eternity. I could go on and on about this beauty but to cut a long story short, we hope that your Laika experience will be as magical as the word promises.

Laika's journey is not for the ordinary, for she attracts like a diva. And as I take you on this journey, I want you to sit back and relax. Enjoy the colours, contours and feelings that I am sure Laika will evoke within you.

There is a Story in every Element of Laika - says Ravi Shankar, Ceo, Anantara Hospitality

As you turn off Bangalore's busy MG road into a quiet by-lane, you see Laika. The first impression is that of a brick town house with a huge 100 year old evergreen pine running all the way to the top. You look at this beautiful building peeping from the greenery and you wonder, how did this beautiful home take roots in Bangalore.

Enter Laika, a world where everything and everyone has a story to tell. Carefully chosen from old houses and monuments for their heritage contribution, the resort is an interesting pot-pourri of different places and time. The beds narrate the long forgotten story of old Kerala homes, the tables with hand painted mosaics bespeak the Portuguese contribution to Goa's homes and the window louvers stand proud in their Bangalore old mansion history. And last but not the least, the wood on the gates bear the marks of thousands of trains, for they are a part of the Indian Railways History.

The ancient Jamoon tree at the side has been the source of many to be or not to be discussions. The fruits in their purple glory fall across the lawns even as trees blooming orange and pink flowers, green creepers with yellow flowers and the ivy all vie for attention.

All 8 rooms are large, sunlit spacious homes away from homes. Colourful decour, air-conditioning, television, telephone, hot-cold water options make for a comfortable and pleasant stay. The dinning areas with their European candlesticks warrant mention even as the birds troop down to pay homage to the Chefs cooking amongst the Lily Ponds.

Ravi Shankar talks about Laika's facilities

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Continental breakfast is available at Laika. Catch the chef unravel the delights of Mangalorean cuisine on the Dinner table. Named after the Godess Mangaladevi, Mangalore is a port city in the coastal region of Karnataka. The cuisine is well known for its use of coconut and a special red chillie called badige which imparts a famous fiery colour and taste. Other options are myriad choices in and around walking distance of Laika (take away is also possible).

NIGHT LIFE AROUND LAIKA

13th floor, The Maya Lounge, Hint, Zero-G, Tucson Verve, Nxox, I-bar are some of the currently popular spots that come to mind.

HEALTH CLUB, SPA, GOLF AND SWIMMING POOL

Choose your preferred choice of Health Club, Swimming Pool, Spa options from a plethora of available options within easy walking distance at The Park, Ista, Taj Gateway, Taj Residency hotels on MG Road.

Available Golf options are the Karnataka Golf Association and Bangalore Golf Club (15 minutes drive time).

CONFERENCE OPTIONS

Easily accessible (within walking distance) conference options exist at Five Star / three Star hotels. Some choices are The Park, Ista, Taj Gateway, Taj Residency hotels on MG Road.

OTHER FACILITIES

Laundry, Room Service, Housekeeping

Things to do on MG Road

MG Road (or Mahatma Gandhi Road) is one of the principal roads of Bangalore (as is true of all Indian metro cities)
Easily accessible from city suburbs, IT sectors, Financial streets
Majority of English film theatres, shopping malls, banks, pubs & lounges, food joints, cyber cafes, 5 star hotels are all to be found on this one street
This is the place to work, shop and simply have fun
5 star hotels like The Taj, The Park, Ista can be found on MG Road with a plethora of conference, dinning, entertainment, health club and spa options
Sigma, Garuda (which also has a multi-plex), Bangalore Central, Bombay Store are some of the hang-out shopping malls to be found here
Commercial Street and Brigade Road, just off MG road, are good street bargain shopping avenues
Golf options are available at the Karnataka Golf Association and Bangalore Golf Club 15 minutes away

Did you know - MG Road used to be called South Parade in British times. Stroll off Dickenson Road to see the last vestiges of old Colonial Bangalore.

Anantara Hospitality unravels the flavours of Mangalore Cuisine on Laika Boutique Stay's dinner table...

The tangy odour waft through the air even as I enter the kitchen at Laika. The Chef is a bit of as connoisseur in Mangalorean cuisine and today he has promised me some Sanna, Modde and Tarkari Gassi for Dinner.

Named after the goddess Mangaladevi, Mangalore is a port city in the coastal region of Karnataka, India about 250 km from Laika. This cuisine is well known for its use of coconut and a special red chilli called badige which imparts the famous fiery colour and taste that all Mangalorean food is famous for.

Even as I lick my fingers after my feast, I wish all Epicureans at Laika Bon Apetit.

Feast on Sanna (variant of Idli), Modde (closest to a Kerala Puttu) and Neer Dosa (Rice Dosa folded into triangles) accompanied not with Chutney and Sambar but with a variety of Curries and Gassis.

Tarkari Gassi (mixed vegetables cooked in fresh coconut masala and coconut milk), Noorje Dadne Koddellu (spicy drumstick and brinjal gravy) and Padangi Upkari (Moong cooked with coconut) served with traditional red rice is inviting for Lunch or Dinner. The Jeegujje Fry (breadfruit marinated with dry red chilli) looks like fried fish but veggies can relax and have it.

Non-veggies can enjoy sea food, mutton and chicken specialities in a variety of spice flavoured gravies. The Kori Gassi (chicken cooked in fresh coconut masala and coconut milk), Meen Puli Munchi (sour and spicy fish curry), Fish Bafat Masala Fry, Mutton Kundapur (home-style mutton curry in Kundapur masala) are some of the typical Mangalore fare to be found on this chefs table.

For the sweet tooth, there is always traditional Mangalorean Halwa and Khas Khas Payasam.

Enjoy the flavours and maybe pick up some tips on the way too... Happy feasting!!!

Discover the World around Laika

Bangalore is an entertainment and cultural hub with plenty of wining & dining, night clubs, shopping, golf, cinema, pubs & lounge options.

Tipu Sultan's Palace · Hyder Ali 1740 Lal Bagh · Gavi Gangadhareshwara Temple · 18th century Venkataramanaswamy Temple · State Museum · Cubbon Park & library (over 334 acres)

· Karnatak Chitrakala Parishath - rich collections of Roerich & Rabindranath Tagore sketches amongst other folk art. Favoured venue for performances, theatre, dance recitals, New Year art bazaar

1866 Venkatappa Art Gallery, State Museum · Ved Vignan Ashram of renowned spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

· Bangalore Turf Club horse races (May to August and November to March), famous for the Kingfisher July Derby