The Imperial is the most storied hotel in Delhi and our splurge pick. It opened on Janpath in 1936, inaugurated by the viceroy Lord Willingdon, and a drive lined with royal palms still leads to a porch and pillared verandahs that feel unchanged since the days when Nehru, Gandhi, Jinnah and Mountbatten met here to discuss the future of India. The hotel’s collection of more than 5,000 original artworks, many from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, hangs throughout the corridors, lounges and rooms, so a walk to breakfast feels like a museum visit. Dining is a highlight: The Spice Route, a much-loved Southeast Asian restaurant, the 1911 restaurant and bar, San Gimignano for Italian, The Atrium for afternoon tea, plus the Patiala Peg and Hardinge bars. The grounds hold two outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Expedia lists it as a five-star property with an exceptional guest rating of 9.6.
Location and getting around: the hotel sits on Janpath in the heart of New Delhi, a two-minute walk from Janpath metro station and a short stroll from Connaught Place, Jantar Mantar and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. India Gate and the government quarter are within three kilometres, Old Delhi and the Red Fort are a short metro or taxi ride north, and Humayun’s Tomb is about twenty minutes south by car. Day trips to Agra and Jaipur can collect you at the door.
Rooms: the 235 rooms and suites are individually furnished in colonial and art deco style, with high ceilings, period art and marble bathrooms; the heritage rooms and suites are the most atmospheric.
Who it suits: couples on a special trip, history lovers and anyone who wants a calm, central base with a sense of occasion. The pools and gardens are a welcome escape from the city.
Good to know: breakfast is charged separately unless your rate includes it, and airport transfers are expensive, so compare with a taxi. Book The Spice Route and afternoon tea ahead, especially at weekends.
Why stay here
- ✓Two outdoor pools
- ✓Full-service spa
- ✓The Spice Route restaurant
- ✓1911 Restaurant and Bar
- ✓Afternoon tea at The Atrium
- ✓Heritage art collection
- ✓24-hour room service
- ✓Fitness centre and yoga
Good questions
Where is The Imperial in New Delhi?+
It is on Janpath, a two-minute walk from Janpath metro station and close to Connaught Place. India Gate is within three kilometres.
Does The Imperial have a pool?+
Yes, it has two outdoor pools in its gardens, along with a full-service spa and a gym. One pool closes for a few weeks in late spring.
Is breakfast included at The Imperial?+
Breakfast is charged separately unless your rate includes it. The hotel’s restaurants also serve lunch, dinner and afternoon tea.
