The Best Hotels in Delhi, India
Whether you’re visiting the Gandhi Smriti Museum, sampling Chandni Chowk’s street food or just en-route to Agra’s Taj Mahal, India’s capital city is well worth a closer look. We’ve hand-selected some ideas on where to stay in Delhi with the finest hotels from the city’s overwhelming array.
There is a common saying in Indian homes that “the guest is god”. The joy of hosting is an integral part of the country’s culture. It’s a custom that isn’t limited to private homes; when you spend a night at a hotel in India, you’ll find yourself feeling like a pampered house guest. These hotels, especially, know how to get hospitality right.
Taj Palace, New Delhi
Chain Hotel, Luxury
The fact that it’s located on the edge of Buddha Jayanti Park, one of the most beautiful and greenest parks in New Delhi, is a huge draw when staying in the capital city. Inside, the mix of Indian art, personal service and unapologetic grandeur will transport you miles from any sign of reality. The building itself is a curved 1980s show-stopper with 403 luxurious rooms and suites. The spa menu offers only Indian treatments using local herbs and oils.
The Roseate New Delhi
Luxury
A James Bond villain would feel quite at home in this designer oasis. Enjoy next-level calm and luxury not far from Delhi airport, with 3ha (8 acres) of gardens and a 108m (354ft) outdoor swimming pool. The reception lies behind enormous circled doors, and beyond that, elegant walkways criss-cross water between the restaurants, spa and rooms. All services, from food to spa appointments, are controlled on your in-room iPad. Make time for the spa’s signature massage, a mix of Swedish, aromatherapy, shiatsu and Thai influences.
The Grand New Delhi
Hotel
Lose yourself in luxury at this cavernous five-star hotel, only 9km (5.5mi) from New Delhi international airport. Accommodation runs from standard rooms to a presidential suite and six serviced apartments. The grounds channel French courtyard vibes, with a huge outdoor swimming pool to relax in. While this is opulence on a major scale, the well-versed staff keep service personal. Dinner at Caraway, the Indian brasserie, is a must – the head chef takes pride in regularly changing his recipes and cooks in an open tandoor.
Pullman New Delhi Aerocity
Luxury, Chain Hotel, Hotel
Choose to stay here, and in under 10 minutes you’ll be whisked from airport arrivals to the hotel lobby; it’s that close. The rooms are modern and soundproofed, with comforts including oversized leg support pillows and a free massage at the spa. Guests get 15 percent off at the six restaurants. The creatively named Farmer’s Market at Pluck is an eatery set out like a fancy food market with a “you choose, we cook” concept – all ingredients come from local producers or the kitchen garden at the hotel. Check out Pling, the jazz and blues bar, for a nightcap.
Eros Hotel New Delhi, Nehru Place
Luxury, Hotel
This five-star hotel is opposite the Lotus Temple, a beautiful white structure that is dedicated to the Baha’i faith and is one of the most popular attractions in the city. The charming and efficient staff have been welcoming a mix of business travellers and tourists for more than 25 years thanks to its close proximity to the business district as well as the local attractions and restaurants. A morning on the nine-hole putting green is a fun and novel activity in such a chaotic city.
Haveli Dharampura
Luxury
Sleep among rich Mughal architecture at Haveli Dharampur, which dates back to 1887. It took four years of gruelling restoration work to convert it from a period manor into a beautiful heritage palace with modern facilities. Its 14 rooms and suites surround a courtyard lined with elegant cusped arches and delicately carved wood. Rooms are dotted with antique furniture, and windows open onto the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk – among the oldest markets in Delhi – which are bursting with sari makers, restaurants and sweet shops.
Andaz Aerocity
Luxury
Andaz Aerocity is giving airport hotels a better name. With no clinical corridors or sparse rooms to speak of, the hotel features a modern design that includes huge windows flooding even the standard rooms with natural light. Its collection of bars and restaurants wouldn’t be out of place in a high-end city-centre hotel either. The Hong Kong Club restaurant and bar is one of the few in the city that stays open until the early hours. Its dumpling menu deserves special mention – the lobster, crab and spinach dumplings, in particular, aren’t to be missed. After dinner, head to its Juniper Bar for impeccable gin cocktails.
The Taj Mahal Hotel
Hotel
The Lodhi
Spa Hotel, Hotel
The Lodhi is all about modern luxury. If you’re going to splash out on a suite, it’s worth doing so here – they come with butler service, private plunge pools and huge daybeds. The other rooms aren’t to be sniffed at either, featuring super-king-size beds, goose-down pillows, Illy espresso machines and Bose speakers. The hotel is also home to the Indian Accent restaurant, which consistently makes the San Pellegrino 50 Best Restaurants in Asia list. You can also head to the neighbouring Khan Market, a hub for the best standalone restaurants in Delhi.
The Claridges
Hotel
Bungalow 99
Hotel
If you’re travelling with kids or plan to stay in Delhi for an extended period, choose this homely hotel. The sleek, modern apartments have three-bedrooms, a balcony, bathrooms with deep soaking tubs, and a large kitchen. Housekeeping comes as standard. The hotel is in Defence Colony, which has its own market with local restaurants and grocery stores, where you can either track down a creamy plate of butter chicken or try your hand at whipping it up yourself.
The Leela Palace
Hotel
The Imperial
Luxury
The elegance of the Imperial Hotel takes you back to British colonial India. On every wall you’ll find paintings, photographs and delicate murals illustrating Delhi’s history, making the space feel as much like a beautifully curated museum as a luxury hotel. In fact, the hotel has three galleries dedicated to colonial and post-colonial art – book a tour to make the most of them. Its award-winning restaurant, the Spice Route, takes you on a food trail through the southern coast of India, ending at Sri Lanka. It also has an award-winning spa with Ayurvedic treatments and an outdoor pool.
Judy Cogan contributed additional reporting to this article.
For a bit more pampering, why not check out the best luxury hotels in Delhi. Or if you’re on a budget, discover these cheap hotels, bookable with Culture Trip.