ITC Chandigarh Resort

ITC Chandigarh Resort is a relic of the city’s early 90s swagger, a dust‑kissed palace of brass and gilt that tries hard to masquerade as a heritage resort while the surrounding sector 17 market churns on in neon. The lobby’s marble floor still bears the imprint of loitering tourists, and the chandeliers flicker like an after‑glow of a forgotten film set. If you’re staying for more than a night, book a room on the third floor facing the Sukhna Lake promenade; the view of the water at sunrise is the only thing that feels genuinely curated, and the cheap tea service on the balcony is surprisingly decent. Skip the “Royal Indian Cuisine” buffet at 7 p.m.; the chowder‑like dal and wilted paneer are better savoured at the nearby Black Lotus in Sector 35, where the spice is nailed. The spa’s Ayurvedic massage is decent but overpriced; a thirty‑minute foot soak at the lakefront shacks costs a fraction and the air is fresher. July‑August monsoon drags the lake into a grey sigh, so aim for October to February when the garden’s lotus blooms and the humidity eases. One night is a stop‑over; three lets you explore the adjoining Sector 22 market, the Rock Garden and the surprisingly decent vegetarian fare at the campus canteen, which beats the resort’s limp “regional specials”.