lebua Lucknow – Year 1936 Preserved in a Heritage Haveli

It is hard to believe that for a city as intertwined with history and culture as Lucknow, there is literally a single property in town that qualifies as a ‘heritage stay’. I assumed it to be an exaggeration when a staff member at Lebua Saraca Estate mentioned this bit of information about the property.Turns out, this was no exaggeration. Google it to believe it. I did.

This property, dating back to 1936, once belonged to an army veteran, Brigadier Sharma and his wife. They sold it off to Mohammed Abdullah who redesigned the bungalow but kept the character of the space intact. Special care was taken not to up-root any trees which were a part of the original complex area. The trees are such an integral part of the property that it’s hard to imagine Lebua Saraca Estate without the greens. In fact the name itself originates from the Asoka Trees that border the property. White with a dash of green is the theme of Lebua Saraca Estate, reminding us that it’s always going to be a gorgeous outcome if man works along with nature, rather than pretending to be the creator.

 

My stay at Saraca Estate was nothing short of a dream sequence from a bygone era, an old world charm seeping through the pearl white quarters of this huge bungalow. I was pleasantly surprised by Suite 218 where a trail of heritage stories kept me company. Add to that the happiness of receiving a hand-written welcome note by Sunaina (GM- lebua Lucknow),which actually made my day. I could go on and on about Suite 218, but maybe I should let the pictures talk.

 

At Lebua Saraca Estate, the lives and times of the Navabs of Lucknow are entangled in the exquisite royal decor of the rooms. Equipped with all modern amenities, yet maintaining the old world charm is a tough act to balance. Huge wooden doors, high ceilings, ventilators with stained-glass coverings, chikan-kari curtains and cemented floors of yesteryear’s that are hard to find now a days – an entire Lucknow comes alive in each room of this heritage property which gives visitors a peek into Ganga-Jamuna culture of Lucknow. Each of lebua Lucknow’s 41 rooms and suites pay subtle homage to the Lakhnavi heritage synonymous of an ostentatious lifestyle nurtured in sprawling kothis and havelis of the past. The stair-ways and corridors deserve a special mention here, for they are decorated with portraits of the various Navabs of Lucknow, and some framed black and white photographs that easily date back to a century.

 

 

 

 

 

Long lost stories, colorful bougainvilleas, vintage vehicles and the tehzeeb of Lucknow form an utterly beautiful poetry that is Lebua Saraca Estate. Huge open terraces, central courtyards and a vintage vibe is the USP of this beautiful heritage hotel. Add to that the hospitality of Lucknow that charms it’s way right into your heart. The nazakat of Avadh might be long gone, but it’s surviving traces can be easily found in way Lucknow treats its guests.

No post about Lucknow could be complete without mentioning food. What better way to start the day than having breakfast in the lawn, surrounded by greens all around.

Lebua Saraca Estate does full justice to the cuisine with the in house restaurant called Azrak that serves traditional Avadhi, Hyderabadi and Rajasthani cuisines. Royal cuisines of the Nvabas, the Rajputs and the Nizams are available to commoners today, the flavors still intact, thanks to expert chefs who could re-create magic. Even though famous for non-vegetarian food, the vegetarian in me came back super happy with Mava Aur Meve Ke Seekh, Dal Makhni and Ulte Tave ke Parathe.

A special mention to the in-house Italian restaurant called 1936, which supposedly serves the best Italian in town. Vintage is the theme here but what is worth mentioning are the three trees that grow inside-out of the restaurant. Blending along with mother nature, 1936 seems to be nothing but perfect. I couldn’t get a chance to try the food here but I am already looking forward to the next trip to Lucknow.

Even though a heritage property, Lebua Saraca Estate caters to the needs of today’s traveler. The property is equipped with all modern amenities, including a gym and a pool to relax.

 

A roof-top lounge which adds to the charm of Lucknavi nights, is an ode to an era gone by. A nostalgic heart is reminded of times when the Navabs as well as Avadh were real and not just an illusion that survives today.