The Imperial

Few hotels in the world impress me in the way the Imperial did when I stayed here in Feb/Mar 2009. Opened in 1931 in the newly built capital of the British Raj, the legendary Imperial was the city's first luxury hotel, located on Queen's Way, today's Janpath. The hotel building, designed by the architect D. Bromfield, follows Art Déco lines on the outside, while maintaining a mix of colonial and Victorian styles in its interior. Long corridors and spacious rooms with high ceilings are furnished with an impressive collection of Victorian furniture and 19th century sketches of Indian monuments. Every possible five star amenity is available on the grounds of the hotel, including several superb restaurants, a spa and an outdoor swimming pool, all accompanied by excellent service (though I would rate the gym just adequate in comparison with the standards of the rest of the hotel). Staying here was such a pleasure that I found leaving the hotel rather difficult. Naturally, the Imperial is one of the city's most expensive, but discounted rates over the stated rate can be found online.

I have not stayed in this hotel but here is a brief history of the hotel:
BUILT IN 1931/THE GRAND HOTEL WITH VICTORIAN/OLD COLONIAL AND ART DECO STYLE/STANDS AESTHETICALLY REFURBISHED TODAY. THE ONLY HERITAGE LIKE BOUTIQUE HOTEL OF DELHI ALSO KNOWN AS THE MUSEUM HOTEL AS IT DISPLAYS THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF PRICELESS ART AND LITHOGRAPHS. THE HOTEL IS SET AMIST LARGE LANDSCAPED MANICURED LAWNS. * EXTERIOR CORRIDORS LOCATION DESCRIPTION THE HOTEL IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF EXCLUSIVE COMMERCIAL AND SHOPPING DISTRICT OF CONNAUGHT PLACE. MINITES AWAY FROM THE OFFICES OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES, PRAGATI MAIDAN, THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR AND EXHIBITION GROUNDS WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF HISTORICAL MONUMENTS, MUSEUMS, PARKS INCLUDING THE MAJESTIC RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN THE PALATIAL RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF INDIA.

Unique Quality: Amenities found in the hotel:
* Air Conditioning (In Room)
* Newspaper (Free)
* Refrigerator
* Telephone

* Television (Cable/Satellite)
* Non-Smoking Rooms
* Television
* Daily Maid Service

* In Room Broadband Internet Access
* Coffee Maker
* Balcony/Terrace
* Mini-Bar
It is a 5 star hotel located in Delhi, India
Costs: $375 a person per night

Hotels of the turn of the century or in the early 1900`s must have been like the Delhi-Imperial: aristocratic, exclusive, luxurious and big, offering exquisite services, very much depending on your status.
Large rooms, partly decorated with colonial and indian antiques, a colonial restaurant and brasserie as well as an Italian, an Indian and Asian restaurants leave no wishes open.
The hotel has a large garden area, outdoor pool and several al fresco restaurants and cafes respectively. It is situated in the heart of New Delhi, close to the business and governmental districts.The hotel has also a permanent 'Art Galleries', which houses an art collection as well as antiques that the hotel has acquired over the years.

Unique Quality: Flanked by 24 King Palms one feels imperial right from the check-in. Oldfashioned, but beautifully refurbished and very well kept hotel.

Directions: Close to Connaught Place;airport: 17 km., railway station: 3 km.
+91 11 2334 1234

Located in the heart of the city, The Imperial is not only one of the most distinguished hotels in the city but also the oldest. The 28 king palms that line the path leading to the porch of the hotel have witnessed the creation of New Delhi.

Unique Quality: The hotel has a discotheque, restaurants, swimming pool and provision for water sports, a shopping arcade, a health centre, a Business Centre, Safe Deposit Lockers, a beauty parlour, Sauna and Jacuzzi facilities.

Directions: From International Airport 25 km,Railway Station 4 Km.