‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ or ‘Guest is God’ roughly translated in Greek could mean ‘aspasia’ or welcome. Aspasia is also about coming home to pampering. If you are wondering what we are talking about, get prepared for a walk through one of the premium boutique suites in the city.

To begin with, this is one classic house that has been well converted into five-star luxury suites. Synonymous with personalised service, it is located in Koramangala and comes from the Bangalore Urban Spaces to meet the demands of the international as well as the domestic guests.

Globetrotters Satish and Dr Sheela Bangalore, the brains behind the project, picked a bit of this and that from every country they visited, its culture, its cuisine and amalgamated them into this global home called Aspasia. A different pathway from the usual premium hotel, the duo makes sure that the guest gets the personalised attention.

On the aesthetically done interiors, Sheela says, “We did a lot of homework before beginning the project. I am a dentist who jumped into the hospitality industry by chance. We travel a lot. During my travels, I take pictures of all kinds of architecture, some of which I have incorporated into Aspasia.”

Step into the reception lounge itself and innumerable Ganeshas, lamps of all sizes and a library welcome you. Sheela, incidentally, is an avid collector of Ganesha idols, which is all too obvious if you take a look at the hotel alleys and the various magazines on Ganesha lying around. 

Sheela says, “we have the global traveller coming back to us again and again. In December, we had more than 50 per cent occupancy. We also have delegations coming in for seminars from various metros and MNCs.”
Aspasia is located at the centre of the IT hub and very close to the airport. “Each of our 19 rooms -15 premium rooms and four deluxe rooms - has a balcony. There is complimentary breakfast, Internet access, fitness centre  to name a few facilities.” 

And she hasn’t left any room for complaint. The rooms have that classical touch with global furniture. The flooring is wooden and there are impeccable imported rain showers. “Talking of other amenities,” she says, “we have secretarial services, hosted tours, a kitchen where you can cook for yourself if you wish to do so.” And for the couch potatoes, there is Tata Sky connection in every room.

The terrace garden restaurant, all in white, is a place to sit back and you can actually swing because there is indeed a swing on which you can rock yourself. The cuisine is continental as well as Indian. “There are lot of foreign guests who ask for Dosa everyday,” she adds.

“Aspasia’s value creation is a luxury stay at 75 per cent less cost compared to the five-star propositions,” she says. The conference room is available for the outsiders as well. And for those who don’t want to skip their daily trip to the gym, there is a scope for a good workout at the gym. And those waiting to put their feet up, you can do so after a revitalising jacuzzi or the steam room.

As the metropolis gets crowded day after day with premium luxury hotels, why not take a detour and go home with Aspasia for a change?

Aspasia is located at 423, 8th Main, 4th Block, Koramangala. Contact: 99725 72309.