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We recently spent three days at The Imperial in Delhi, the magnificently restored Art Deco heritage hotel in India’s capital that was designed in 1934 to be one of the grand monuments of New Delhi. As India’s independence beckoned, the hotel became a place of power where leaders from Gandhi to Lord Mountbatten met to negotiate partition. Today it’s one of the nation’s finest properties featuring elegant rooms, world-class restaurants and breathtaking pool and gardens. It still welcomes the powerful and elite, but also makes regular travellers like us feel just as important.
Here are some of the things we loved about this historic hotel and why we think you can’t stay anywhere else when stopping in Delhi on a tour of India. In no particular order:
#1 First impressions.
After a long journey first impressions mean everything and from the first welcome at the car to the final goodnight at the end at the day – the Imperial staff are warm and genuine. These smiles prove it.
#2 Service That Doesn’t Miss a Beat
The Imperial is a beautiful hotel – there’s no doubt about that. However what really stood out to us was the service – all the daily movements that are happening, noticeably and unnoticeably, that made our stay remarkable. There were the men on our floor who kept our room spotless and fresh non-stop; the breakfast waiter who not only remembered each day exactly how we liked our coffee (and being from Melbourne we are fussy about coffee), but he knew exactly how many coffees we needed to start the day and brought them without being asked; to the ladies at security who were so pleasant and considerate. The Imperial staff are exceptional and a big part of what makes staying here so enjoyable.
#3 What a Pool!
Delhi was in the middle of a heat wave when we were visiting and after hectic amounts of exploring the city, we relished swimming in this incredible and expansive pool, lounging around with a cold drink and marvelling at the impressive hotel façade.
#4 The Collectibles.
The hotel is brimming with beautiful furniture, paintings, antiques and sculptures. If you appreciate beautiful things, then a stroll around the hotel will reveal many gorgeous things for your eyes to behold.
#5 Get Active
It’s hard to stay fit when on the road with all the breakfast buffets, drinks and general bonhomie, but at the Imperial you can easily squeeze in some activity. We loved the squash courts and gym, plus the hotel also offer yoga each day or by prior arrangement. No excuses for not exercising here!
#6 One for the Road
Lastly, we loved ending our days in Delhi at one of the hotel bars, with a quiet drink (or two), imagining all that this hotel has seen over the years and reliving our own personal Delhi adventures.
A stay at The Imperial in Delhi is included in our Golden Triangle In Style itinerary and can also be added to any custom made journey of India we can curate for you.
