Hotels, restaurants draw in patrons, with a side of nostalgia

The petrichor after the first spell of rain, the musty smell wafting from old pages of photo albums, and TV shows and films from a bygone era remind us of the good ol’ days. 

For most of us, nostalgia is like a warm, fuzzy hug that brings a smile to our faces. Nostalgia not only has a special place in our lives but also hospitality.

Hotels and restaurants often go out of their way to offer time-honoured experiences to their patrons, invoking a sense of familiarity, comfort, and warmth. It’s not restricted to the décor, food and beverage, or the music that sparks joy; it is the stories that bind them.

For instance, Hard Rock Cafe (HRC) may have opened its first outlet in London in 1971, but it continues to host events and invite bands that pay tribute to old-school rock music several decades later.

Its newest outlet in New Delhi’s Janpath strikes a chord with the patrons with its montage of memorabilia pinned on its walls—a unique characteristic of HRC. 

From singer Shakira’s black bra worn during her 2011 Sale El Sol tour or Elton John’s platform shoes that he chose during his live ‘Daniel’ music video, HRC has thoughtfully curated the décor to bring back historic moments from the past. 

Nostalgia also takes over when you live in properties like La Villa Bethany in Landour (a small cantonment town near Mussoorie), imbued with old-world charm driving patrons to make frequent visits.

Interestingly, Landour is dotted with British colonial structures with English-style interiors, the air filled with the aroma of evening coffee enjoyed with madeleines and shops lined with custom-made leather boots. 

Close by is Welcomhotel The Savoy. The epicentre of Mussoorie’s social life, it has hosted historic events like the 1930 Indo-Afghan conference.

With its old-world charm and timeless elegance for over a century, The Savoy is one of the most favoured properties for those looking for a respite from the modern world. 

Décor and design elements 

There’s no denying that décor offers an unmatched experience to guests. In the case of Jaisalmer’s WelcomHeritage Mandir Palace, its Indo-Saracenic design, ornate balconies, canopies, screen carvings, and stonework all add to the palace’s charm and evoke a sense of history and grandeur, shares Abinash Manghani, CEO of WelcomHeritage Hotels.

WelcomHeritage’s Bal Samand Lake Palace is also an architectural marvel, erected in the 17th century. The lush surroundings, including the sprawling private estate enveloped by fruit-laden orchards, meticulously manicured lawns, and vibrant flower gardens, further enhance its immersive experience.

Another jewel from the north—the Noormahal Palace in Karnal boasts of hand-painted frescoes, intricately designed arches, bronze décor, and shamadans—every detail exudes a sense of grandeur. 

The staircase leading to the terrace showcases sepia-toned rare photographs of erstwhile maharajas engaged in polo games and hunting expeditions, capturing the essence of a bygone era. 

“The high-domed ceilings adorned with gold leaf frescos and the walls adorned with works of traditional Rajasthani artisans and rare folk textiles further enhance the old-world charm. We take great pride in creating an environment where our guests can relish the beauty of the past while enjoying the comforts of the present,” adds Roop Partap Choudhary, Executive Director of Noormahal Palace.

The Orient Express in New Delhi’s sprawling Taj Palace also instantly strikes you at the mention of nostalgia. It is a must-visit if you want to turn the wheels of time. 

Inspired by the legendary long-distance train, which operated between Paris and Istanbul until 1977, the celebrated fine-dining restaurant has existed since 1983. It recreates the ambience of a historic era, focusing on the finest European fare.

“The dining carriage with its mahogany walls inlaid with Lalique of Cote d’Azur, delicate brass luggage racks, and dinner tables set with fine porcelain and crystal goblets atop white linen tablecloths is a throwback to Agatha Christie’s world in Murder on the Orient Express,” reiterates Harsh Champawat, Director of Operations, Taj Palace. 

That’s also the case with Rick’s, which finds space in the magnificent Taj Mahal, New Delhi. Drawing inspiration from the timeless cinematic masterpiece Casablanca, Rick's brings alive the romanticism, adventure, and glamour of the illustrious 40s.

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A taste of time 

Nothing can invoke nostalgia more than food. From childhood delicacies to traditional foods passed down through generations, the flavours and aromas of certain dishes elicit warm and comforting memories. 

Hard Rock Café’s new outlet has retained some of the classic food offerings from its first-ever menu—classic nachos, wings, baby back ribs, all-American sliders, and cheese fries, mixed along with a few new ones, of course.

CGH Earth’s Coconut Lagoon, located in a sheltered and enchanting cove in Kumarakom, offers Kerala’s home-cooked meals to guests with its Curry Lunch—a curated four-course meal, including 12 recipes borrowed from locals. 

“The ingredients are sourced from the farms around the resort and include seasonal vegetables such as kappa, chena, chakka, and kachil. Seasonal fish like the Veloori, Kozhuva, Vatta, Pallathi, and Koori also find their way onto the menu, courtesy of the local fishermen. The elaborate meal usually ends with a rich payasam, either palada, ada pradhaman or pazham pradhaman,” highlights Radhakrishna Shenoi, General Manager - Operations, CGH Earth. 

While the menu at the Orient Express has evolved with time, some of the restaurant's most iconic dishes continue to take centre stage and remain bestsellers. 

Signatures like Camembert cheese soufflé, paprika sauce; lamb in the style of chasseur, scalloped potato; magret duck, chou rouge purée, fig, golden beet; seared king scallops, confit chicken, chou fleur truffle purée and warm chocolate pudding, liquid chocolate centre, have been on the menu for decades. 

Meanwhile, Rick’s stays true to its memo even in its reimagined avatar in 2023. It offers ‘The Signature Serves’—meticulously crafted with the passion of yesteryear nostalgia—while ingredients like Japanese miso and homemade infusions and pickles infuse a tinge of innovation. 

Arun Sundaraj, Director of Culinary Operations at Taj Mahal, New Delhi, says, “We have retained many of our classics but with a certain twist. There’s a flair in our presentation when it comes to cocktails. The food offerings are from across the world, but we have maintained a balance in our use of global and local flavours. The menu pairs beautifully with our cocktail programme.”

At La Villa Bethany, preparations to make the sinful rum cake begin as early as August. The idea is to make every meal special for their guests with freshly-prepared delicacies, with a side of warm conversations. This is what fosters a sense of community and makes guests feel at home!

A well-trained culinary team at the Welcomhotel The Savoy continues to whip up some of its signature offerings, including the Savoy vegetarian and non-vegetarian kebab platter, Babooji’s murgh shorba, Officer’s club ki subzi, biryani baag-e-bahaar, sinful chocolate, my lady’s favourite – caramel custard, shares Amaan Kidwai, Area Manager Welcomhotels North and General Manager at Sheraton, New Delhi. 

While these restaurants have been around for decades, new entrants like AM PM in Kolkata have curated food offerings, invoking wistful yearning among diners with its banana-wrapped bhetki with kasturi methi beurre blanc, corn ribs, and avocado chaat. 

Striking a balance 

While nostalgia plays an integral role in offering an unmatched experience, it is critical to achieve a balance. 

“Avoiding over-reliance on past trends or getting locked in a time capsule is not the best. Understanding the target audience, tastes, and demographics can help to utilise this element better,” advises Nidhi Desai, Marketing Head of Hard Rock Cafe.

Striking the delicate balance between offering something new and in-trend while retaining old-world charm requires a thoughtful approach. Embracing ever-evolving trends and incorporating modern elements with a twist on classic aesthetics can create a harmonious blend, points out Grace Muivah, Brand Lead, Bright Hospitality. 

“Nostalgia is what keeps patrons coming back in the search for peace, nature, bespoke experiences, warmth, home-cooked meals, dinner table experiences, fresh flowers, library, and the sound of birds, but most importantly, for the sense of belonging,” concludes Sunita Kudle, Owner and Innkeeper of La Villa Bethany, Landour.