Review: House of MG, Ahmedabad: Luxury Redefined

House of MG is an uber luxurious boutique hotel located in the most beautiful part of Ahmedabad - the old walled city. The hotel is housed in the 1904 haveli which was built by the textile baron of the day - Seth Mangaldas Giridhardas. After the family moved from this haveli to another house, the property was abandoned for decades, till it was converted into an ingenuous hotel in 2006.

I was recently hosted by the gracious owners of the property and here is the review of my enriching experience there :)

House of MG - a review

I loved the tiles...

The entrance to the House of MG

Right outside my room

My connection with House of MG has been long. The place opened in 2006 when I was a student at NID and visited the restaurants there for good Gujarati food, especially the thali. However, what I have always admired the most about the place is how it gave a new lease of life to this old, heritage house and opened it up to the world to experience it the luxury of the bygone era.

Now that I don't stay in Ahmedabad, It was indeed a pleasure to be hosted by them on my recent visit to the city. I must also secretly mention that the stay here was like getting an old dream fulfilled :)

A brief History

As I mentioned the haveli was built in 1924. To understand the history a little better, we need to know a bit more about the two bothers who were perhaps the most iconic amongst the city's rich in the early 20th Century. Mangaldas Girdhardas started off as a storekeeper of a textile mill, but eventually ended up becoming the owner of many, along with his brother Chimanlal.

The newly opened section of the hotel

One of the lovely nooks at the House of MG

Another view of the same place...

The house not just housed the two brothers and their families, but also some important historical figures - including Mohanlal Karamchand Gandhi. The room where he lived is now a suite and it's even possible to stay there as a guest. More on this room later.

In 2006, Abhay Mangaldas, great grandson of Mangaldas Girdhardas renovated a part of the house and opened it as a boutique hotel, and this is how the House of MG was born.

My stay at House of MG

I spent one luxurious weekend at the hotel and loved every moment of it. I must also confess that I have a thing for everything old and vintage, so staying in a 100 years old room was quite special. I must also mention that living for just a weekend is not enough as I was quite restless to explore all possible corners of the house.

My room!

Chilling in my room

Selfie outside my room!

I stayed in a room called Padmavati, which is named after Mangaldas Girdhardas' daughter by the same name. The room was HUGE with really high ceiling - it's easy to imagine the good life the rich of the era lived. It had everything you can think of, including a Gujarati style jhoola or swing. A perfect place to sit and relax, sip a cup of coffee and read a book.

My afternoon was spent in the old city exploring the old houses and later participating in the Muharram procession on the street right in front of the hotel. I was tired and covered in sweat and dirt, and the swimming pool was a perfect place to cool down and that's exactly what I did. The pool is usually open only for guests, but I believe that during the afternoon hours you can pay a small fee and come to swim. I did that a few years back and trust me, in Ahmedabad it's the perfect way to spend the afternoon.

The swimming pool at the House of MG

Food at House of MG

You get one of the best Gujarati thali in town at House of MG at their rooftop restaurant, aptly called Agashiye (which means 'on the terrace' in Gujarati). It's a multi course meal and starts with a welcome drink at the receiving area before the terrace. The food is unlimited (in true thali style) and the courses are so many that you can lose count of it. Gujarati food is my favourite cuisine and so I have always loved eating the food here, especially the sweets. Agashiye serves both lunch and dinner, but I would recommend going for dinner.

Green House is the other good (though I feel a little high priced) food option at the Hosue of MG. Located right when you enter on the right had side, the place serves variety of food, including South Indian, North Indian and Gujarati. Surprisingly, there is not Guajarti food for breakfast, so if you do want that you need to step out of the hotel and walk toward the Relief Road or Teen Darwaza and find some small street-side shop for it. I recommend fafda-jalebi as a typical Gujarati breakfast.

Mangaldas ni Haveli

This section deserves a completely new post as Mangaldas ni Haveli is one of the most delightful old havelis in the whole of Ahmedabad. It belongs to the House of MG, but it's not in the same compound but a few kilometres away. To reach here you need to reach the Manek Chowk and then walk straight on the street which has Muhurut Pol on the right and old Stock Exchange on the left and reach the end of the street. Take a left turn and the haveli in on your right just 50m down the road.

One of the most intricate sections of the Haveli

Some magnificent carving!

It's an old restored house which can be visited to get an idea of how life was back in the days. You can see how water harvesting was done then, how the chowk allowed light and air to circulate in the house and more. Usually the haveli opens to public in the late afternoon, or early morning. Do make a visit here, and you will thank me :)

A night heritage walk also starts from here and it's organised by the Hosue of MG. I did this walk a few years back and you can read about it here. I would really recommend this walk, as it gives a different perspective to the city when you see it in the night - there could be some adventures as well because you do get to walk into old houses in the torch light and it certainly feels a little eerie.

Practical Details

Location: House of MG is located right where the old walled city of Ahmedabad starts, on the east of River Sabarmati. The most famous landmark is the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, which is located right in front of the hotel. Ahmedabad now has Uber and Ola, as well as autos, and you can get these from anywhere in the city.

Outside the spa

There is great art to be seen everywhere...

Lovely steps leading to even lovelier places...

Types of rooms: There are rooms as well as suites. The price starts from Rs 5,990  of the rooms. The 'basic' rooms are not basic at all, and are extremely luxurious. These rooms are popular for honeymooning couples or newly married to spend their first night.

There are two suites and both of them are very special. The Mangaldas suite is the largest and on located on the top floor, while the Kanchangauri suite, named after his wife, comes next in size. Both have vintage furniture and havelis style decor. In no two rooms at the hotel are similar, and each has been designed with it's own unique theme.

Kanchangauri suite

Kanchangauri suite

Mangaldas Suite

Mangaldas Suite

Read more on their website - House of MG.