Detailed Review
Situated on the prestigious Queen's Way, in Janpath, the Imperial Hotel is just a stone's throw away from Connaught Place, fashionable shopping market and premium business district of New Delhi.
Overlooking verdant gardens, the accommodation units are comfortable, pleasant and equipped with all the facilities and conveniences that a discerning business or leisure traveller would expect. For corporate events, the hotel offers luxurious and well-appointed rooms with an impeccable setting, ideal for organising conferences, seminars, private get-togethers and small dinner parties. At leisure, you can have a bracing dip in the swimming pool.
Press Quotes
"Contemporary colonial. Designed by Lutyens, the Imperial has had a fabulous renovation and is currently the best hotel in the city." Tatler 05
Independent Reviews
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The Imperial Delhi
By Margaret MervisWhile Lutyens was busy laying out the impressive government buildings of New Delhi, his associate Bromfield created the plans for a world class hotel for the new city. Opened in 1931 by the Vicereine, Lady Willingdon, now totally refurbished, this five star de luxe hotel easily merits its title of First of the Four Maidens of the East. Half an hour from collection at the airport, the hotel’s liveried 4x4 drives between 24 king palms to the striking white Art Deco building in an eight-acre oasis in the commercial centre of the city.
What sets it apart from Asia’s finest hotels? Without doubt the fabulous, museum-quality 2,500-piece collection of original art and antiques which decorate every public area, room, suite and corridor of the 232 room hotel. There are sculptures, oils, watercolours, engravings, lithographs, and photographs illustrating the history of India from the British arrival to departure in 1947. The hotel is a glorious, successful mixture of Victorian, Indian Colonial and Thirties Deco. The marble inlay work in floors, in both public and private rooms, displays the tradition of craftsmanship handed down since the Mughals brought their skills to the Taj Mahal. Attention to detail and quality in its refurbishment is total.
The service varies from slightly overpowering at the entrance (uniformed Turbars to bow and open car doors and white-suited female attendants to bow and open hotel doors) to slightly erratic by the luggage porters. Breakfast is disappointing, an opportunity missed to provide choice ripe local fruits, local yoghurt and breads. The Spa, expected to open in late 2005, is not yet complete. The Business Centre staff are charming and helpful but the room-based internet connection is frustrating to use. The location is good both for business and tourist excursions for which the hotel Travel Centre is useful. Internal and external security is diligent, and the Imperial looks, and is, a world-class twentyfirst century hotel.
There are several interesting restaurants and bars, including the Patiala Peg and 1911 bars, the exotic Spice Route restaurant with hand-painted walls, the excellent San Gimignano on a covered terrace, with visiting Italian chefs. Breakfast can be taken on a bamboo-shaded terrace overlooking a lawn. Other facilities include conference rooms, shops, (with India’s only Chanel store) and a good outdoor pool.
The rooms: There are 188 rooms and 44 suites in four wings which span out from the centre into gardens. They range from Standard to Heritage rooms, Lutyens Suites to the Presidential Suite. Every room has fresh filtered air on hourly replacement, internet access, original art, marble bathroom and good furniture. Heritage rooms are larger, with parquet flooring, dressing rooms, and excellent showers. The suites are lavish, some with individual private terraces.© Travel Intelligence. All rights reserved
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"Bright and white, this art deco jewel enjoys a central New Delhi location, luxurious amenities and attentive, friendly staff."
The Imperial
By Sarah Anderson
Built in 1931 by the Singh family who still own it, the Imperial has recently been completely refurbished with marble floors and high, high ceilings; some of the furniture was designed by Lutyen’s granddaughter.
The location is central, near Connaught Circle, and the feeling as you drive up to it is one of awe. There are 232 rooms which are, initially at least, extremely hard to find. Once located the fire instructions on the door were Byzantine in their complexity.
The beds are comfortable, the décor simple with one well-chosen painting, but some of the inner rooms have no outside windows and others can be noisy.
One of the delights of this hotel is the collection of 2500 Company School paintings that range throughout the public spaces, which have been collected by the Singh family over the years.
There are many bars and restaurants – especially good is the Thai food in the Spice Route but there are also Indian and Italian restaurants and there are 220 wines on the wine list.
© Travel Intelligence. All rights reserved
Condé Nast Traveller 2008 & 2007 Gold List
