Stay here: The Imperial New Delhi Hotel review
“Like stepping inside a museum” has become a weighted phrase, yet a visit to The Imperial New Delhi fits this description in the best way possible. This luxury hotel has such a wealth of history on display that one could spend days wandering its halls, corridors and atriums, discovering something new at every turn. Here you’ll find the world’s largest collection of Indo-European art, with items dating back to the 17th century. The more than 5,500 paintings, lithographs, aquatints, photographs and statues on display each tell a story about the surrounding city – as do the antique weapons, medals and artefacts of the people who shaped this nation’s formative path.
What’s the deal?
Celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, The Imperial reigns as the Indian capital’s first “grand” hotel, a historic icon opened by then Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon. It sits back from the busy Janpath main road, in an exclusive district now home to many hotels, around 1km south of New Delhi’s symbolic central hub, Connaught Place. Yet construction of “CP” began three years after the hotel was built, as the city slowly took shape in the Imperial’s shadow. The result is an incongruously rustic retreat in the heart of the modern thrum; the 24 royal palms marking The Imperial’s approach became an early landmark as the city’s high-profile political and entertainment district emerged around it.
The Imperial has never been an aloof bystander to passing affairs, either. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten famously met in The Imperial to discuss the details of Indian independence. Nehru, the country’s first and longest-serving prime minister, also penned important documents in the more than 2,370sq ft Royal Imperial Suite, which decades later would host Hollywood A-listers Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Kate Winslet.
At 550sq ft, our Heritage Suite felt quite excessive enough – adorned with antique furniture, marble floors, hand-woven carpets and an incredibly comfy four-poster bed. Despite arriving late in the evening, we were welcomed straight from the airport transfer by a row of staff who all knew our names and applied the customary bindi red dot to our foreheads. Tea, cakes, fruit, chocolate and baby cucumber sandwiches were whisked to our room in what felt like seconds, and the tone for a regal yet relaxing stay was instantly set.
Why stay?
The sense of history and old-world luxury comes with such a wealth of facilities that one could enjoy a very contented trip to India without ever leaving the hotel’s three-hectare estate. Indeed, it would be equally foolish not to enjoy the perks of this special address – including the large outdoor pool, spa and extensive gardens, as well as a library and on-site luxury shopping. Dining is naturally a highlight, with breakfast best enjoyed on the cool terrace at the all-day 1911 Restaurant – where we watched morning dosas cooked up live, and later feasted on some of the best tandoori chicken known to man.
For a more intimate evening moment, The Spice Route is a popular Delhi restaurant which serves lively, often daring twists on classic dishes from East Asia and Southern India. Its creations have proved such a local hit that its signature recipe book is on sale in the lobby. The dimly lit, intimate space is a sight to behold, with a feng shui-inspired design that took seven years to reach fruition. Bolstered by carved pillars that once graced a Kerala temple, the walls feature a nine-part mosaic depicting the entire life cycle of humankind in the style of an ancient Ramayana pictorial epic. Alternatively, for those who want a change from local cuisine, the courtyard San Gimignano offers the classic Italian trattoria experience.
A visit to the spa is also a holistic experience. Rather than heading straight into a massage, we first had a 15-minute consult with a qualified doctor specialising in Ayurveda, who introduced us to 5,000-year-old ideas of balance. The upshot was a combined shirodhara treatment, where hot wax was poured over our forehead for close to half an hour – an oddly soothing sensation that sparked dreamlike digressions, revealing the ever-present connection between body and mind.
Not wishing to undermine our newfound sense of equilibrium, we regretfully passed up the opportunity to visit Patiala Peg, a whisky-centric venue where the standard pour is 120ml – the equivalent of a quadruple shot. The concept is inspired by the decadence and hospitality of the Maharaja of Patiala, a one-time captain of the Indian national cricket team. Known for fathering 88 children and keeping a fleet of 44 Rolls-Royces, this was a man who ensured his guests never went thirsty. Today, the tiny bar attracts business makers whose deals require discussion in comfortable surroundings. For those who require a clearer mind, afternoon tea is served daily as a buffet in a bright central atrium.
More impressive than all the facilities themselves is the hotel’s ability to maintain such a warm touch given its size. Despite its grand scale and long corridors, it also feels homely, with a personalised attention to detail lacking in comparably sized properties. It’s easy to see why so many generations of travellers, from heads of state to well-heeled holidaymakers, have made this grand establishment their home away from home.
Cathay editors say…
“The Imperial isn’t just a comfortable place to rest between busy Delhi days – it’s a living museum and a reason to visit the capital in its own right.”