Sometimes, life tosses you in a spin cycle of deadlines, traffic and never-ending to-do lists and the noise gets too loud to hear your own thoughts. That’s when I decided to hit pause and escape for a solo weekend. Just me, my thoughts and a place I’d heard whispers about being equal parts stunning and serene—JW Marriott Bengaluru Prestige Golfshire Resort & Spa.
I landed in Bengaluru on a crisp Saturday afternoon, the kind that makes you want to drive with the windows down and the music hitting just right—a stark difference from Mumbai’s polluted and humid weather where you can’t function without the AC. The flight was barely two hours, but it seemed like worlds apart.
Firstly, the location is *chef’s kiss*. Just 21 kilometers from the Kempegowda International Airport, the resort sits in a cocoon of calm near Nandi Hills. It’s far enough from the city to feel like a real escape but close enough that you don’t need to plan an entire itinerary just to get there. From the moment I checked into the 275-acre property—I got my first breath of fresh air in what felt like months and everything slowed down, in the best way possible.
The first thing that struck me wasn’t the grandeur of the place (which is undeniable) but the quiet. Not the eerie kind—this was the comforting silence that blankets you after days of digital doomscrolling and construction chaos. The architecture is inspired by the glide of Bangalore silk—smooth, elegant, effortlessly luxurious.
My room was one of the Garden Terrace rooms with its own little outdoor bed nestled in a private green pocket. The interiors were a masterclass in design—just clean lines, soothing tones and small thoughtful touches that make you exhale in relief. I didn’t even try to resist—I dropped my bags, curled up on the outdoor bed, and fell asleep to the sound of leaves rustling. When I woke up, the post-travel daze had been replaced by hunger. I ordered dumpling soup through room service. It arrived simple, hot, flavourful—just what my tired soul needed.
Later that evening, I stepped out of my room to explore the resort. Everywhere I turned, there was something designed to soothe: still water bodies, rolling greens, high-ceilings and sky-high palms standing like quiet sentinels. I wandered from pools to lawns, checked out the gym, the spa and even the entertainment room—which had everything from a virtual golf simulator to a PS5 setup, a bowling alley and air hockey tables.
By sunset, the sky had turned a soft mix of gold and lavender, and I found myself at Flamingo, their pool-side bar, chatting with the bartender who clearly knew his craft. He whipped up a few cocktail using herbs and flowers from their own JW Garden—fragrant, delicate and dangerously easy to sip.
Dinner that night was at Aaleeshan, their Indian fine dining restaurant, a Mughal-inspired affair that felt both regal and intimate. I went for their signature kebabs and biryani, both deeply spiced and rich, created lovingly by Lucknowi Chef Riyaz Ahmed.
Upon returning to my room, I ran myself a hot bath as Bengaluru's unusually cool 22-degree air wrapped around the glass windows—and it was probably the reason behind why I slept like a baby that night.
The next morning, I woke up to birds chirping in my terrace garden and breakfast calling my name. Even though each dish looked more delicious than the next, I kept things light because I didn’t want to make the rookie mistake of filling up too much before their Sunday brunch, which is apparently something of a local legend. And when I walked into the brunch space, I understood why. Tables heaved under the weight of regional delicacies, international spreads, fresh seafood, live counters and an entire dessert island that deserved its own postal code. The energy was infectious—live music, clinking glasses and the relaxed hum of happy weekenders.
A food-comma induced nap later, it was time for ‘Halli Katte’, a take on traditional Karnataka-style tea time. There were local snacks and earthy kettles pouring hot masala chai. But what made the experience truly special was the live painting session happening right beside it. An artist was guiding a group—me included—through the process of painting flowing water using acrylics. Mine wasn’t a masterpiece, but for the first time in ages, I wasn’t painting for Instagram or validation—just cause it felt good.
As the sun began to set, it was time for my appointment at the Spa by JW. Let me just say this—if heaven had a waiting room, it would look like this spa. Seven treatment rooms hover lakeside, and everything—right down to the music playing—is curated to help calm your inner chaos. I got a blissful full-body massage, followed a short sauna and jacuzzi sesh.
To snap out of my jelly-like lethargy, I then took a dip in their temperature-controlled pool. The water was perfect—not too warm, not too cool—and I floated around for a while, staring at the sky and realising that these are the moments that one actually lives for after the hustle and the hard work.
Dinner that evening was at the resort’s Pan-Asian offering called East – The Asian Living Room, where Indonese-origin Chef Saiful Agam brought out one delicious course after another, comprising sushi, dim sums, pad Thai and dessert. The service was smooth and the meal felt unhurried. With a full heart and even fuller stomach, I returned to my room and called it an early night.
My last morning at JW Marriot Bengaluru arrived with the kind of clarity that only comes from real rest. I had one last breakfast comprising eggs made just right, some podi idlis and fruit juice from their seasonal selection. There was no rush, no dread—just a calm readiness to return to the real world.
As I was leaving, I looked back at the resort once more—not out of longing, but gratitude. This place had given me space mentally, let me stop performing, stop reacting and just be. In a world where every minute is spoken for, this felt like a quiet, beautiful rebellion. After all, the best trips are the ones where you don’t do much… just arrive, exhale and let the place do the rest.
