Gymkhana Clubs in India
Jul 27th, 2004, 11:44 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Gymkhana Clubs in India
I just discovered we have a reciprocal membership to Bombay Gymkhana, Delhi Gymkhana Club, and Jodhpur Gymkhana. I see that Delhi and Jodhpur have very reasonable sleeping rooms. Has any one been there/stayed there? Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
Nov 8th, 2004, 11:23 AM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We were in India during the month of August. We stayed for several nights at the Gymkhana Club in Delhi and the Tolleygunge Club in Calcutta. Both clubs are quite pleasant with spacious grounds insulating one from the madness and congestion of these two busy cities. The Gymkhana is a tennis club located in a residential enclave across from Indira Gandhi?s former residence. The Clubhouse was built during the British Raj in classic colonial style. Today unfortunately it is glassed-in and sealed-up, and with no air-conditioning it is rather uncomfortable in the 100F+ heat of Delhi. However, an excellent grand barbecue/tandoori buffet is set out each evening on the front lawn, with giant fans blowing away the heat and mosquitoes. The rooms are set up as mini-cottages, and are quite comfortable with stone floors, air-conditioning units, and individual porches overlooking a common garden.
The Tolleygunge is a country club located at the southern end of the Calcutta metro line. A former British indigo plantation, today it is home to an 18-hole golf course and bird sanctuary. Although the grounds are beautiful, the clubhouse, like that of the Gymkhana, is somewhat faded. But the 19th Hole is a pleasant breakfast/ lunch spot, where one sits in an open air terrace under a canopy of fans. Sipping a lime soda while looking out over the golf course during the afternoon monsoon showers is a lovely experience. The rooms, which are in an annex, have the same fantastic view over the golf course as the 19th Hole. The rooms are quite similar in style and furnishings to standard US Holiday Inn type rooms, but could definitely stand to have the carpets replaced. The swimming pool is a first rate lap pool, and is likewise set in the same beautiful jungle setting. The Tolleygunge also has (but the Gymkhana does not) a well-stocked pro shop, where we purchased quite nice yet inexpensive polo shirts and other Tolleygunge Club paraphernalia.
The staff and members of both clubs were warm, friendly, and open. Both made us feel at home and as if we were resident members. My son played tennis with members at both clubs, and my daughter received a superb hair styling from the beauty salon staff at the Tolleygunge. If one is looking for colonial inspiration in the form of spit and polish brass, teak, and white marble, one can pay four times the amount and stay at the Imperial Hotel in Delhi or the Oberoi Hotel in Calcutta. But for a genuine experience and a peek into upper class Indian life, these two clubs provide a unique hospitality that is unmatched by any hotel in India.
Both clubs have their own web sites if you need more information.
The Tolleygunge is a country club located at the southern end of the Calcutta metro line. A former British indigo plantation, today it is home to an 18-hole golf course and bird sanctuary. Although the grounds are beautiful, the clubhouse, like that of the Gymkhana, is somewhat faded. But the 19th Hole is a pleasant breakfast/ lunch spot, where one sits in an open air terrace under a canopy of fans. Sipping a lime soda while looking out over the golf course during the afternoon monsoon showers is a lovely experience. The rooms, which are in an annex, have the same fantastic view over the golf course as the 19th Hole. The rooms are quite similar in style and furnishings to standard US Holiday Inn type rooms, but could definitely stand to have the carpets replaced. The swimming pool is a first rate lap pool, and is likewise set in the same beautiful jungle setting. The Tolleygunge also has (but the Gymkhana does not) a well-stocked pro shop, where we purchased quite nice yet inexpensive polo shirts and other Tolleygunge Club paraphernalia.
The staff and members of both clubs were warm, friendly, and open. Both made us feel at home and as if we were resident members. My son played tennis with members at both clubs, and my daughter received a superb hair styling from the beauty salon staff at the Tolleygunge. If one is looking for colonial inspiration in the form of spit and polish brass, teak, and white marble, one can pay four times the amount and stay at the Imperial Hotel in Delhi or the Oberoi Hotel in Calcutta. But for a genuine experience and a peek into upper class Indian life, these two clubs provide a unique hospitality that is unmatched by any hotel in India.
Both clubs have their own web sites if you need more information.
Nov 10th, 2004, 02:43 PM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks so much stepstra!! Perfect timing, as we'll be checking into the Delhi Gymkhana on Saturday evening. I am very excited.
You note that the Delhi Gymkhana has a website. I have been unable to find it. Would you kindly forward the webstite address if you have it? Thanks very much.
You note that the Delhi Gymkhana has a website. I have been unable to find it. Would you kindly forward the webstite address if you have it? Thanks very much.
Nov 14th, 2004, 12:21 PM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dot, here is the website: http://www.delhigymkhana.org.in
Make sure you request a room that is closer in to the reception area and NOT at the far end near the outside wall. That area is far, far too nosiy. They first put us there; but after I complained, they moved us inward where it was much more quiet.
Hire a taxi driver for the days you are there - it makes life much more pleasant. I think we paid about $15 per day for the three days we were there and he took us everywhere. Let us know how you liked it.
Make sure you request a room that is closer in to the reception area and NOT at the far end near the outside wall. That area is far, far too nosiy. They first put us there; but after I complained, they moved us inward where it was much more quiet.
Hire a taxi driver for the days you are there - it makes life much more pleasant. I think we paid about $15 per day for the three days we were there and he took us everywhere. Let us know how you liked it.
Jun 23rd, 2011, 07:14 PM
#5
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just happened to open this site, since I wanted to know about Gymkhana Clubs in India.
I stayed in Delhi Gymkhana about two decades back on couple of occasions while on leisure/business - reciprocal basis with Calcutta Club. Besides excellent location and environment, I liked the ambience of the club. However, in the evenings, it became too crowded and I have apprehensions that each member got a large number of guest, who were not conversant with club rules/etiquette required for using a club. Also, the waiters were more keen to attend to people from whom MORE tips were expected.
These observation of mine are very old - 1990/1991; maybe things have changed a lot.
-Bhaskar Mazumdar
I stayed in Delhi Gymkhana about two decades back on couple of occasions while on leisure/business - reciprocal basis with Calcutta Club. Besides excellent location and environment, I liked the ambience of the club. However, in the evenings, it became too crowded and I have apprehensions that each member got a large number of guest, who were not conversant with club rules/etiquette required for using a club. Also, the waiters were more keen to attend to people from whom MORE tips were expected.
These observation of mine are very old - 1990/1991; maybe things have changed a lot.
-Bhaskar Mazumdar
