Bliss In Bangalore

With the opening of the 143-room Ista Bangalore hotel, istahotels.com, the owners of India's renowned Himalayan spa retreat, Ananda, are hoping to bring that same blissful spirit of rejuvenation to the country's high-tech hub. But the Ista is first and foremost a business[an error occurred while processing this directive] hotel, so expect wi-fi Internet access in common areas, broadband in rooms and a business center open around the clock. Guest rooms are minimalist, with blond wood walls and understated furnishings. The healing powers of the rooms with a view of Ulsoor Lake are worth the upgrade. And the private gardens in the executive suites are ideal for yoga sessions between business meetings.

A top-notch massage at the hotel spa will help balance the body's pitta — or Ayurvedic fire element — before heated negotiations with your clients and contacts. Afterward, take the edge off the workday with aperitifs at the candlelit Liquid (which is, believe it or not, Bangalore's first outdoor bar), then head to Ista's Northern Indian-style restaurant, Zaman, for meals prepared in the Awadhi tradition — known for its slow cooking and elaborate spices. Sister property Ananda may have those mountain views, but Ista's chefs hit more than a few peaks of their own.