Grand Mercure – Bangalore was the chosen place for a quick family get away and celebrate K’s birthday also.

A bit of problem with Uber and Ola on strike, we reached late and had to do with room service.

The studio suite was excellent, with a cake and fruit basket waiting.

During the 5 days we tried out the coffee shop -12th Main – for breakfast on a couple of days; tea once and dinner buffet the last day.

Breakfast:The range is quite the same as other – juice, fruits, cheese, bread, South Indian, sausages, potatoes, some Asian offerings with of course the mandatory – Eggs to order, Dosas, Puri Bhaji or Paratha.

The idli and and vada were quite nice, whilst the dosa and uttapam were excellent however the white coconut chutney was quite a let down, the sambhar tasted perfectly good a far cry from the adulterated one that we are used too. But was not piping hot.

The Puri bhaji freshly made was lovely and hit the spot, whilst the eggs – Bhurjee and omelette were ok. Missed the south Indian Upma and sheera that I normally try only when visiting the south.

Washing all this down with fresh juices – nice but needed to be chilled and no, ice doesn’t work. Filter coffee was barely there, I’ve had better in Bombay.

Overall a decent breakfast spread but nothing really that I would come back for.

The service needs to be tightened quite a bit.

Evening Tea & Room Service: This was quite pleasant and the pizza as well as veg burger quite satisfying.

Dinner Buffet: We reached at around 9 pm and the choice was quite sad particularly for vegetarians. N being allergic to palak and mushrooms had no choice except Dal. Upon calling them and asking for an alternate, they did make Kofta but as they said – chargeable basis – which was fine, but in a 5* in my last 30 years it has been the first time ever that this happened. The dessert selection though wide was sad and much better could be expected.

There was also a fine dine restaurant – By the Blue which we tried one night.

By the Blue – A lovely poolside restaurant amongst the chaos that is outside. In the evening with lights twinkling, lovely breeze floating.