Privy Corners of the Privileged

Spice brings you the stories behind the exquisite craftsmanship of their sword collection. By-invite-only private clubs, ushered in by five star hotels, offer rarefied spaces that are perfect for Covid-adjacent playgrounds.

- SANDEEP ARORA

Exclusivity has long been the preserve of luxury, but it is as much about access as it is about exclusion. This is where the private members club becomes an extension of your play ground. In the 90’s, if you wanted to nip down for a quiet business meeting, The Belvedere at The Oberoi, New Delhi was the obvious choice that breathed elegance and privacy.

The noughties introduced more clubs but also with it the routine of sameness—same ambience, wood and glass panels and private areas, uniformed service, similar décor, with different cuisines. With no personalised engagement, the category dangled obtusely as a familiar old product but with well-defined service standards.

But it offered a space where recognition was key and privacy and cache were written into the By-Invite-Only access cards that came loaded with the memory of many a historic deal being sealed in these hallowed corridors. But private clubs have evolved over the years and embraced newer ways to adapt to changing lifestyle preferences.