Laika

An elegant boutique hotel and home stay tucked away at the end of a quiet residential lane off bustling Mahatma Gandhi Road, Laika offers an idyllic haven in the electric pace of India’s high tech metropolis.

The handsome two-storied bungalow surrounded by trees has a terracotta tiled roof and a zig zag staircase decorated with potted plants, not unlike the city’s turn of the century “typical white or cream” bungalows as described by Elizabeth Staley in her book, ‘Monkey Tops – Old Buildings in Bangalore Cantonment’. Check into this family-run hotel and you’ll be charmed by its communal spirit. The aesthetically designed rooms are flooded with natural light, pops of colour on the walls, interesting décor accents and vintage furniture from the neighbouring states of Kerala and Goa. Amenities include king sized or twin beds, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, cable television and laundry service. Hot breakfast is served daily in the communal dining room. There is another lounge and dining area for guests on the upper floor and a smoking zone on the terrace. A cosy library with a book exchange policy further adds to Laika’s earthy appeal. When you aren’t resting in the lovely garden, or signing up for an in house cooking class, get acquainted with the historic neighbourhood. Morning walks at Cubbon Park (the bandstand here was originally built in Glasgow), visits to 153 year old All Saints Church in Richmond Town and dosa with steaming filter coffee at Vasudev Adigas – one of the city’s time honoured darshini food institutions - immerse you in the nostalgic spirit of the Garden City.