Subrata Roy, the Chairperson of Sahara Pariwar, commissioned Hotel Sahara Star to BMA by extending a carte blanche with a single caveat: create an out-of-the-world and never-seen-before hospitality experience in India. BMA wove this diktat into the architectural built-form by creating a glazed, futuristic, spaceship-like circular form that intrigued passes-by using the adjacent Western Express Highway. Internally, this circular form — structurally, a composite dome — delineates a central atrium, imagined as a tropical garden complete with waterbodies, water-facing decks, pathways, bridges, a waterfall and vegetation (including Royal Palms retained from an earlier hotel that once stood there).

This green heart occupies centerstage of the spatial narrative, with rooms, restaurants and other services circling this natural space. The 300 rooms, including 22 elegant suites either overlook this large tropical oasis or afford city views from their high-tech private balconies.  All suites, which are spread across more than 1,000 sq ft, are pure indulgence with walk-in wardrobes, king-size beds, expansive balconies, spacious living room, lavish furnishings and high-end fittings.

The diverse gastronomical offerings — from pan-Asian, Mediterranean to Indian and Far Eastern — can be experienced at Hotel Sahara Star in sophisticated settings which echo the particular region’s cultural ethos. The piece de resistance, however, is the private dining room (PDR), Ocean, which still remains one of the biggest highlights of this five-star hotel. Spread across 3,000 sq ft, the backdrop for the PDR, is an aquarium (the biggest built in India till date) stretching across three walls. The breath-taking view of exotic fish and other oceanic wonders forms the perfect setting for private soirees and special celebrations.