GURUGRAM: Ask people in Gurugram where to go for a quiet day away from the city without a long drive, and the Aravalli belt towards Tauru usually comes up. One of the bigger properties out there is ITC Grand Bharat, which its operator lists as ITC Grand Bharat, A Luxury Collection Retreat, Gurugram. This guide sets out what the hotel's own pages say about its restaurants, golf, spa floor and day visits, as read on 6 October 2026.

First, the location, because the name can mislead. The address on the ITC Hotels website is P.O. Hasanpur, Tauru, District Mewat, 122105, Haryana. In other words, it sits outside Gurugram district, in the Aravalli foothills south of the city, and most visitors from Gurugram will reach it by road. The hotel's factsheet notes that the retreat is owned by Landbase India Limited and operated by ITC Hotels under licence from Marriott International.

The hotel describes the property as a tribute to five thousand years of Indian civilisation and gives its area as 1,214,056 square metres, which is a little over 1.2 square kilometres. It lists four Presidential Villas and 100 suites, a 27-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, nine banqueting and meeting venues and a spa that covers 1,951 square metres.

The architecture is the part most first-time visitors talk about. According to the hotel page, the design draws on lesser known Indian sources, and it names the stepped wells of Adalaj in Gujarat, the Nagara style Mukteshwar temples of Odisha, the royal palace of Baroda and the ghats of Varanasi as influences. One of the curated experiences listed is an evening ritual by a water feature the hotel calls the Ghats of Yamuna.

For readers going for a meal rather than a stay, the restaurant section of the page lists three outlets. Aravali Pavilion is described as a bistro serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with dishes from across India and the world, and its listed operating period is 7 am to 11 pm. The page recommends a reservation in advance.

Restaurants, golf and the spa floor

The Royal Afghan, billed as a poolside barbecue serving North-West Frontier cuisine, has more limited hours. The page gives 7 pm to 11 pm for dinner, with a lunch service from 1 pm to 3:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays only. Anyone planning a weekday lunch here should note that the listing does not show weekday afternoon service.

The third outlet is Peacock Bar, listed from 11 am to midnight with finger food. The hotel says its design takes its colours from the national bird. Menus and prices are not published on the pages we read, so Dalimss News is not quoting any rates here; the reservation form on the site takes the number of diners, date and meal period.

Golf is the other big draw. The golf page names the course as the Classic Golf and Country Club and says it has an 18-hole championship layout split into the Ridge and Valley nines, plus a nine-hole executive course called Canyon, spread over about 1.2 square kilometres in the Aravalli foothills. The page lists the Ridge nine at 3,541 yards and the Valley nine at 3,573 yards, both par 36, and the Canyon at 3,135 yards, also par 36.

The same page says the driving range is more than 350 yards long, can take over 70 players at a time and lets golfers hit from grass bays. It also lists a large putting green and separate chipping, pitching and bunker practice areas, with certified coaches on site. Green fees and tee-time rules are not given on the page, so call the hotel before driving down with clubs. Readers who want to compare other courses on the state list can look at our guide to the seven golf courses on Haryana Tourism's Gurugram list.

The spa is called Kaya Kalp, The Royal Spa, and the hotel says it occupies a dedicated floor with 12 treatment suites, a yoga pavilion, a spa cafe, a gym, indoor pools and an outdoor pool, along with a salon for hair, skin and nail services. The page describes the treatments in its own terms; Dalimss News makes no claims about their effects.

For children, the page lists Ollie's Club for ages 4 to 12, with indoor and outdoor activities, a toddlers' section and supervision at all times. Outdoor activities named on the page include Segway tours, cycling, badminton, croquet, lawn tennis, archery and ATV rides, while indoor options include snooker and private film screenings. The page does not say which of these are open to day visitors, so check when you call.

That brings up the day-use option. The booking panel on the hotel page says day-use rooms are available for a nine-hour stay between 10 am and 7 pm, subject to terms. Guests between 12 and 18 years old are counted as extra occupants at an extra charge, and the panel allows a maximum of two children per room. Rates appear only during booking, so none are given here.

The contact numbers published on the page are +91 1267 285500 and +91 8130279799, with reservations handled at reservations@itchotels.com. If you are combining the trip with a family outing on the same side of the city, the Heritage Transport Museum on the Bilaspur Taoru Road is in the same direction, and the Damdama Lake day trip guide covers another Aravalli stop south of the city.

A practical note to end. Everything above comes from the hotel's own website and factsheet, which can change without notice, and the page itself says not every outlet runs in every time slot. Confirm restaurant timings, golf access and day-use availability directly with the hotel before you set out.

Dalimss News did not receive payment or any other consideration for this article. It is independent editorial coverage.