Off camera: At Maurya, Barack Obama jumps off the Beast to sweat it out at the gym

The couple stayed in the Grand Presidential Suite, which has two bedrooms, a 12-seater dining room, private sauna, study room, a high-speed lift and a dedicated housekeeping team. The Beast was parked in the VIP area with the rest of the cavalcade.

To welcome the high-profile guests, the hotel ordered special pillow cases, a set of books and an edible chocolate frame which had photographs of the couple with their daughters.

The edible chocolate frame with the Barack Obama family photograph

Curtains were put up in the lobby of the hotel, separating the corridors and lift area from the rest of the hall. According to sources, about 15 minutes before Obama’s arrival, his security team would draw the curtains, cordoning off the hotel staff.

So, although it was a three-day visit, most of the hotel staff only managed to catch a glimpse of Obama on two occasions — when he hosted a US embassy team at the Kamal Mahal on January 25, and when he hosted a dinner for 20 CEOs at the rooftop restaurant on January 26.

“He seems to be fond of coffee. Every time he stepped out of the Beast, he would be holding a coffee cup,” said a source.

Michelle also hosted a gathering at the Bukhara on January 26, where they enjoyed sikandari raan, murgh malai, seekh kabab and naan bukhara. According to sources, when not accompanying Obama, Michelle preferred to stay inside the suite.

Before leaving, Obama met some of the hotel staff on Tuesday, gifted them chocolates and complimented them for their “awesome hospitality”.