New Delhi
The Imperial New Delhi
Photo: Courtesy of The Imperial
A tasteful colonial theme park, this Art Deco icon—built in 1936, at the arrogant height of the Raj—is soaked with the ambiance of what writer Ranjana Sengupta calls “the whole tea-on-the-club-lawns and bugles-at-sunset world of Delhi in the 1930s.” An apt description for a pleasantly coddling yet vaguely unnerving time warp. It starts with the remarkable art collection, on display in every nook and cranny of the public areas: hundreds of historic lithographs, paintings, and anthropological sketches depict colonial-era and “native” life customs. The anachronism continues in the clubby 1911 lounge, all fan palms and cane chairs; in the stalwart Patiala Peg pub, smelling of single-malts and entitlement; and in the Imperial’s impeccably clipped lawns, fit for a coronation or a spot of croquet. The location, just blocks from Connaught Place, is as central as it gets; the service is not only confident but actually capable; and the rooms offer a tidy blend of historicism (in the Raj-style trimmings) and functionality (in the up-to-the-minute technology). The grounds are well worth an afternoon visit even if you’re not staying here.
Room to Book:
Deco Suites feature namesake Art Deco design and views of the courtyard, gardens, and atrium.
Insider Tip:
The hotel’s jewelry shop, tucked away off the parking lot, has a tiny but well-edited selection, focusing on semiprecious stones, silver, and Indian-favored yellow gold.
Amenities
Open / Closes- Accessible by Public Transportation
- Business Center
- Concierge
- Family Friendly
- Gym/Fitness Center
- Meeting Room
- Maid Service
- WiFi
Number of Rooms: 233
Number of Suites: 43
Number of Restaurants: 4
Number of Bars: 3
Year Opened:
Other:
