Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/148134
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TAJ HOTELS The Pierre's marble lobby gives a foretaste of the luxury that awaits. Our sojourn at the Pierre began two weeks before our arrival. We received a friendly but quite formal email from our Taj Royal Attaché, Anupam Guha, who requested our travel plans so he could arrange a limousine airport pick-up. He also asked for a list of foods and drinks we wanted to have waiting for us in the suite, which was equipped with a small but state-of-the-art kitchen. He also asked what reading material—newspapers, magazines, books—we required. He wanted to know whether there were any restaurant reservations or theater tickets we would like. Upon our arrival we were warmly welcomed by name. The suite was fully provisioned according to our wishes and Anupam was standing at attention to greet us and attend to our every whim. He offered to unpack us. A chilled bottle of grande marque champagne was also waiting. The Grand Suite opened into a large foyer crowned by a chandelier. To the right was an enormous living room which contained a dining table that could accommodate eight. At the other end of the room there was a seating arrangement where eight could comfortably have cocktails and socialize. The large windows offered sweeping city views from two sides. The room, and the rest of the suite, was furnished in exquisite Indian antiques. The fabrics were intricate brocades, the walls were hung with 19th-century Indian prints, the carpets were hand-woven and the tables were stacked with large books of Indian art and design. Across the foyer were two large bedrooms, one of which contained a massive four-poster bed. There were two sizable bathrooms and, of course, the small kitchen. During our stay, Anupam was always nearby to offer advice, answer questions and provide any service we required. I asked him about some of the more interesting requests he had received from other guests. He told me about putting up and decorating a Christmas tree for one family and creating a spooky environment, complete with ghosts and goblins for Halloween for another. In case we ever wanted to leave our exquisite eyrie, we could venture downstairs where Sirio Maccioni, the famed proprietor of Le Cirque and a number of other fine restaurants, has opened an elegant establishment called, not surprisingly, Sirio. It's very good and quite luxurious. On our last day, Anupam spent half an hour drawing a bath for my wife. It was a work of art with pastel colored bubbles in an intricate design mingled with rose petals. Our stay at the Pierre redefined the word "luxury" for me. It's reassuring to know that such lavish—but always tasteful—pampering still exists in the world, and it can be yours. The tab: $1500 per night, exclusive of tax and copious tips. august 2013 / the tasting panel / 1 15 TP0813_104-132.indd 115 7/24/13 9:41 PM