Leisure, girl-bonding and a whole lot of fun; Marriott Hyderabad's all-woman staycation had all that and more

Girls can have fun too; in fact, looking at the increase in the number of all-girls trips in the last few years, one can safely say girls know to have fun better than their opposite gender. However, time is always the challenge especially since women are known to get on the guilt trip more often than they choose to go on a leisure trip, what with work and home demanding most of their attention.

A couple of months ago, Marriott Hyderabad devised an amazing plan exclusively for women to chill over a weekend of indulgent fun. Five of us packed our bags and headed out to enjoy a quick getaway amid a busy schedule. We reached the hotel to a warm welcome on Saturday in the best of our casuals, and after a quick lunch headed for a relaxing ayurvedic spa session. From less-than-an-hour packages, foot massages, and back massages to a long and relaxing therapy sessions, the Spa at Marriott had it all on the menu, and we had all the time in the world – a heady combination indeed.

After a thorough attention received at the Spa, we were all relaxed and ready to conquer the world and were dressed to do just that for the evening. An Indian meal at the famous award-winning specialty restaurant Bidri was followed by dance and music at the Altitude- roof top brilliance overlooking Hussain Sagar only possible at Marriott Hyderabad. Saturday Nights had DJ Murthovic belting out the best of his tracks and the evening went on well into the night – a luxury that can be enjoyed only at a handful few lounges in the city, not to forget the concoctions from the bar giving the right company in addition to the girl-bonding. With much reluctance and so much more left to gossip, the gang went upto their rooms to crash.

A special mention has to be made about the rooms that we were booked into. They were on this exclusive floor where only women or families are allowed to stay, and the woman-guard gives an additional sense of security especially for solo-women travelers. Even the calls to the rooms are scrutinised, and they are aptly called Isabella rooms after an English explorer Isabella Bird, known for her travels and travel books. Welcome kit including premium essentials, magazines and novels tastefully placed along with chocolates and fruits and not to mention the very effective sleep balm – made for a great check-in. My room had a Danielle Steel novel, my friend got a Chetan Bhagat; and Eat Pray Love in the other one. My suggestion is to exchange your book if you don't like the author, even though I wondered how one will find time to read amidst so much pampering.

Sunday involved a leisurely brunch at Okra with the poolside offering stunning background for selfies and pictures. More amazing cocktails followed accompanied by well devised menu to include a variety of cuisines, live stations offering Indian grills, European starters to Maggi and the kebabs, pasta, pizza and so on. It was one stretched out afternoon of a whole lot of conversation that kept the spirits high with the drinks taking care of the rest, and good food on the side, until it was time to go back to life as we knew it: until the next fun outing.