Trident, Gurgaon

Suffice it to say that the Trident rather exceeds what one expects from Gurgaon — especially given this Delhi satellite city’s all-business reputation. You might expect some complicated value-engineering, but this place is anything but utilitarian, from the palatial dimensions of the common areas to the Escher-like composition of walkways and reflection pools to the exhaustive list of luxury-standard facilities.

On an aesthetic level, however, it’s probably the Trident’s simple geometry that packs the most punch. Its design is a triumph of symmetry and order: deck chairs evenly spaced by the pool, trees planted uniformly under arched windows and gardens so meticulously manicured not a single blade of grass seems out of place.

Thankfully it’s not the type of brutal modern architecture that overwhelms. The Trident’s Zen-like approach to opulence reflects the type of no-nonsense attitude that perfectly befits its primary function — that of a business hotel. All the views encourage a serene mental state. Pool-view rooms are the pick of the crop, with immense windows that open up to the reflection ponds. The Trident’s serene seven-acre plot is the perfect retreat for executives looking for a calm place to bed down after a day in one of the world’s more hectic cities.