Obama's India visit: US President Barack Obama impressed by hospitality at ITC Maurya

NEW DELHI: "Awesome hospitality," was how US President Barack Obama described his stay at ITC Maurya, which hosted him and his wife Michelle during their second visit to India.

The couple stayed in Maurya's Grand Presidential Suite, which has two bedrooms, a 12-seater dining room, private sauna and a study.

Obama worked out at the hotel gym daily since his arrival on January 25, sources said.

The President was served food from the hotel's roof top European restaurant WestView when he dined with top CEOs from India and US on January 26.

Some of those who dined with him praised him for his down to earth and affable nature as he mixed with everybody sharing ideas, sources said. The dinner was hosted at the Grand Presidential Floor.

While this happened, Michelle chose to experience the famed Bukhara cuisine and had a private dinner with select members.

Some Union ministers including HRD Minister Smriti Irani, Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goel, Environment Minister Prakash Javedekar and Commerce and Industry Ministry Nirmala Sitharaman also met their US counterparts over dinner at the hotels's Dum Pukht restaurant.

When Obama was at the hotel, his ultra-secure car, called The Beast, was parked in the VIP area with the rest of his cavalcade.

"Awesome hospitality," President Obama said while meeting the select staff at ITC Maurya, sources added.