Breaking away from our lunch routines, we hopped over to the newly opened Hilton Garden Inn Muscat Al Khuwair for a taste of their globally popular breakfast, and – burp – we are contemplating changing tracks of this ‘Feast On’ section to breakfasts that have as delectable waffles. Golden brown, hot and crispy waffles are what set Hilton breakfasts apart, the world over, and the Hilton Garden Inn is no different. While there is no saying if it is the proximity to the city centre that has buoyed up the occupancy rate in the hotel, the buzz of people in the foyer and inside The Garden Grille, the main restaurant, is indication enough that the lure of the Hilton brand’s breakfast is strong.
Having opened doors in February this year, the Hilton Garden Inn has quickly found its groove in the hospitality sector of the country with its service culture and the brand promise of a guest-friendly approach in all its operational activities. Located in Al Khuwair’s prime Dohat Al Adab Street, it has the best of both natural landscape and cityscape, with the main façade overlooking the busy road and the Hajar Mountain range on the horizon. What adds to this happy amalgamation of natural and human structures is the blurring of lines between the two. From the al fresco dining section of the restaurant, one can almost experience a surreal feeling of being away from the city, despite being in close vicinity of the main road. The sprawling garden in the front, which is yet to grow to its expected proportion, helps create an illusion of being away from everyday life; an illusion that is strengthened over a leisurely breakfast.
Seen from the perspective of a guest, there are two things that are inconspicuously linked to a complimentary breakfast in a hotel: leisurely pace and holiday mood – unless it is a business breakfast or a hurried meeting over coffee/tea. At Hilton Garden Inn, which has made breakfasts its key attraction (in addition to the customer-is-king approach), the holiday mood is almost palpable in the leisurely pace of guests breakfasting within. With the buffet counter sectionalised to offer a choice of fruits, cold cuts, omelettes, waffles and what have you, there is little chance of a quick breakfast to put the day on a vibrant gear.
We were enveloped in a warm blanket of welcome, with the staff cued on to anticipate every request for coffee/tea/juice. The aroma of fresh omelette on the frying pan and waffles sizzling on the waffle iron added to the welcome note within the restaurant, which is designed to reflect a fort.
Terracotta pots adorn the large wooden room divider; flooring reflects a wooden finish and seats give the impression of being arranged on traditional boxes with iron rivets, while the open kitchen creates the fort look with its arch shape and the latticed work on the top. The look is further enhanced by designs that are reminiscent of watchtowers.
We began our leisurely Hilton breakfast with customary scrutiny of the variety on offer at various buffet stations: there is the coffee and tea section, with a versatile coffee machine; the cold station with 4 types of cut and whole fruits, cheeses and cold cuts; a choice of muesli, yoghurts and granola; a bread section with an assortment of bread, muffins and jams; and also regular porridge for guests who prefer a light breakfast. An Arab touch is injected into the proceedings of the buffet with a salad section, incorporating popular salad items and spreads. Besides, guests have the option of making their own waffles with a variety of toppings.
The main open kitchen, which is buzzing with activity to whip up specific requests from guests for omelettes, as well as to refill the hot section, has baskets arranged with croissants, Danish pastries, pancakes and Hilton’s signature waffles, which are served warm at the counter. The hot section, along the kitchen area, has baked beans, sautéed mushrooms, sausages, hash browns, beef bacon, parathas and the like, with the option of having the omelette of one’s choice. Guests are indulged in a variety of omelette versions by the team of chefs manning the kitchen.
We began with a regular tea and ended with a latte, and had a taste of all that was on offer in between. While the omelette came to the table in its hot aromatic avatar with the requested accompaniments, we picked our choice of hot and cold foods from the stations, going for seconds. We left the waffles for the last, as we wanted to finish our breakfast with the taste of waffles lingering on our palates. We topped the warm waffles with Nutella and cream and strawberries… The warm, melt-in-the-mouth crispy flavours of the waffles are a big draw. With so many choices and tempting options, the desire to stay put and eat at a leisurely pace is inevitable.
Breakfast at Hilton is, indeed, a treat for the senses.
