Delhi is not a city that reveals itself quietly. From the monumental avenues of New Delhi to the sensory intensity of the old city, India’s capital is a fascinating collision of history and modernity, grandeur and chaos, tradition and constant change. Finding a hotel capable of reflecting that history while simultaneously offering a genuine refuge from the city’s relentless energy is therefore something rather special. Behind a long avenue of palms on Janpath, The Imperial New Delhi provides exactly that. Opened in 1936, this legendary hotel belongs to a small group of properties where the distinction between hotel and historical landmark has gradually disappeared. Its marble corridors, Art Deco details, remarkable art collection and atmospheric bars preserve the elegance of another era, while generations of politicians, royalty, diplomats and travellers have contributed to a story closely intertwined with that of modern India.

Yet The Imperial is much more than a beautifully preserved grand dame. Almost ninety years after opening its doors, it remains a remarkably complete luxury hotel, combining its extraordinary heritage with contemporary rooms and suites, extensive wellness facilities and an ambitious collection of restaurants and bars. Most surprising of all is the amount of space surrounding it. Hidden within eight acres of gardens in the very centre of New Delhi lies an urban resort with all modern hospitality. It is precisely this combination that makes The Imperial so compelling today. You come expecting history, but discover a hotel that has managed to preserve its past without ever becoming trapped by it.

Location & Hotel

The Imperial enjoys an exceptional position on Janpath, within easy reach of Connaught Place and the governmental heart of New Delhi, yet its eight-acre estate creates a remarkable sense of separation from the city around it. The long driveway lined with palms provides the first indication of what awaits. Traffic gradually disappears behind you, greenery takes over and by the time you arrive at the imposing white façade, the rhythm of Delhi already seems to have slowed considerably.

The story of The Imperial is closely intertwined with the creation of New Delhi itself. The property was built and originally operated by S.B.S. Ranjit Singh, son of R.B.S. Narain Singh, and was conceived in 1934 by architect F.B. Blomfield, who belonged to the architectural circle associated with the development of India’s new capital. The hotel officially opened in 1936, during the period of Lord Willingdon as Viceroy of India. Its architecture consequently belongs to a particularly fascinating chapter in the city’s development, bringing together the monumental proportions of the colonial period with Victorian influences, early Art Deco and architectural references associated with Lutyens’ New Delhi.

Almost ninety years later, that heritage remains the defining element of the property, but what surprised us most during our stay was how naturally it has been incorporated into a fully functioning contemporary luxury hotel. The Imperial does not feel like a new hotel decorated to suggest history, nor does it feel like a museum in which guests happen to sleep. Instead, the two worlds coexist remarkably naturally. Beautiful marble floors, high ceilings, dark wooden furniture, Persian carpets, antique telephones, chandeliers and colourful stained glass preserve the character of another era, while the actual hotel experience has continuously evolved around them.

Art plays an important role throughout the property. Thousands of works are displayed across the hotel, including paintings, engravings and historical pieces connected to India, some of which date back several centuries. Rather than concentrating this collection in one dedicated gallery, The Imperial allows art to become part of everyday life. Corridors consequently feel like small exhibitions, while historical prints and objects appear almost unexpectedly between rooms, restaurants and public spaces.

The public areas reinforce that sense of discovery. During our visit, immense flower arrangements formed spectacular centrepieces in the lobby, their colour and scale contrasting beautifully with the restrained architecture surrounding them. Elsewhere, stained-glass windows introduce deep greens, blues and amber tones, while darker wooden interiors create another, almost cinematic side of the property. There is richness everywhere, but very little feels recently added simply to create an effect. The Imperial possesses the kind of patina that cannot be ordered from an interior designer; it has been accumulated over decades.

This authenticity becomes even more meaningful when considering the people who have passed through the hotel. Its proximity to the political heart of the capital made The Imperial an important meeting place during the years surrounding Indian independence, and its history has been connected with politicians, members of royalty, diplomats, artists and international personalities. That past is present throughout the property without ever becoming overwhelming. One can appreciate The Imperial simply as a beautiful luxury hotel, but understanding its historical context adds another dimension to the experience. Private member club corners are obviously part of the experience.

The contrast between this world and the enormous city outside is perhaps what we enjoyed most. Once the car has passed through the gates and travelled along the palm-lined approach, the rhythm changes completely. Delhi remains right outside, but suddenly feels considerably further away. Few city hotels demonstrate more convincingly that tranquillity and space can be among the greatest forms of luxury.

Rooms & Suites

The Imperial offers 192 rooms and 43 suites, ranging from Deco, Imperial, Heritage and Grand Heritage Rooms to several categories of suites, culminating in the spectacular Imperial Suite. What connects these different categories is the decision to preserve the architectural and decorative identity of the building. The accommodation is not a collection of generic contemporary rooms hidden behind a historic façade; high ceilings, artwork, dark woods, marble, carpets and classical furniture continue the visual language encountered throughout the rest of the property.

At the same time, staying in a heritage hotel should never require compromising on contemporary comfort, and this is precisely where The Imperial succeeds. The rooms may visually reference another era, but they function entirely in the present. Modern connectivity, charging points, efficient climate control and contemporary technology have been discreetly incorporated without becoming dominant design elements. Bathrooms combine generous quantities of marble with modern fittings and luxury amenities, while excellent bedding and the remarkable tranquillity of the property create exactly the kind of cocoon one appreciates after spending a full day exploring Delhi.

There is considerable variation between the categories. The Deco Rooms start at approximately 25 m² and place slightly more emphasis on the hotel’s Art Deco identity, while Imperial Rooms increase the space to around 30 m² and benefit from the characteristic high ceilings of the building. The approximately 34 m² Heritage Rooms provide a more generous living environment, while Grand Heritage Rooms reach around 45 m² and begin to approach junior-suite proportions, combining considerably more space with beautiful views towards the hotel’s greenery.

The suites take this residential character further. Heritage Suites introduce a separate living room and dressing area, with teak, hand-woven carpets, artwork and marble continuing the traditional atmosphere of the hotel. Deco Suites interpret the Art Deco side of The Imperial somewhat more explicitly, while the larger Luxury Suites increasingly feel like private Delhi residences rather than conventional hotel accommodation.

At the top of the collection sits the enormous Imperial Suite, measuring approximately 229 m². Extensive living and dining spaces, important artworks, Persian rugs, antiques and a four-poster bed create an almost private-apartment experience, while contemporary comforts and extensive bathroom and wellness facilities ensure that the historical aesthetic never comes at the expense of modern luxury.

That philosophy was particularly apparent in the rooms we visited during our stay. Their proportions immediately stand out, especially the ceiling height and the amount of space surrounding the furniture. Bedrooms feel composed rather than overdesigned, living areas possess an elegant residential formality, and the marble bathrooms are considerably more contemporary than one might expect after walking through the historical corridors downstairs.

We particularly appreciate that The Imperial has resisted the temptation to remove every trace of age in pursuit of the perfectly polished international luxury room. A hotel with this history should feel different from a newly constructed property in Dubai, Singapore or New York. The challenge lies in preserving that difference while ensuring that everything a contemporary traveller needs works seamlessly, and The Imperial achieves this balance particularly well.

Many rooms and suites look towards the gardens and quieter parts of the estate, further reinforcing the sense of tranquillity. Waking up surrounded by greenery while knowing that one is staying in the centre of one of the world’s largest metropolitan areas remains rather extraordinary. The accommodation consequently becomes more than somewhere to sleep; it is an essential part of the refuge The Imperial creates from Delhi outside.

Gastronomy

Gastronomy is another area where The Imperial goes considerably further than one might initially expect from a historic city hotel. Rather than concentrating everything around one main restaurant, the property offers several distinctive dining concepts, each with its own atmosphere and culinary identity. From the extraordinary craftsmanship and Asian flavours of The Spice Route to the grand-hotel character of 1911 Restaurant, Italian cuisine at San Gimignano, afternoon tea at The Atrium and a collection of atmospheric bars, there is enough variety to make food and drink an important part of the stay rather than simply an additional hotel service.

The Spice Route

The undisputed gastronomic showpiece is The Spice Route, and describing it merely as a restaurant would hardly do justice to the extraordinary project behind it. Conceived by renowned Indian designer and cultural curator Rajeev Sethi, the restaurant took around seven years to complete. Instead of creating a decorative interpretation of an Asian interior, Sethi brought together traditional craftsmen, artists, antique architectural elements and historical techniques to create a space in which virtually every surface contributes to the story. Artisans from Kerala worked on the hand-painted murals, natural pigments were used throughout the interiors, while carved timber, sculptures, painted ceilings and carefully selected objects create an astonishing richness and level of detail.

One clear narrative connects everything: the historic Spice Route itself. The ancient trading routes that carried spices from India’s Malabar Coast through Sri Lanka and onwards across Southeast Asia transported far more than pepper, cinnamon or cloves. They also facilitated an exchange of cultures, religions, craftsmanship, artistic traditions and cooking techniques. That historic journey became the blueprint for the restaurant and can be discovered throughout its architecture, artworks and decorative elements.

The Spice Route unfolds through nine distinct sections, with the interiors incorporating symbolism connected to different stages of human life. Moving through the restaurant therefore becomes part of the experience. Carved pillars, temple-inspired details, richly painted surfaces and sculptures reveal different cultural influences as the journey progresses, and the extraordinary amount of handmade detail makes it worth exploring the rooms before or after dinner rather than simply walking directly to the table.

Most importantly from a WBP Stars perspective, the journey does not end with the design. The menu follows essentially the same Spice Route as the interior, moving from southern India and Sri Lanka towards Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. The flavours and techniques consequently change together with the geographical story, allowing the cuisine to become a continuation of the surroundings.

That coherence is what makes The Spice Route exceptional. Architecture, craftsmanship, history and gastronomy all originate from the same idea, with the original Spice Route functioning as the red line connecting everything guests see and taste. Few hotel restaurants possess such a complete identity, and fewer still have been created with this degree of patience and craftsmanship. The Spice Route is not merely The Imperial’s signature restaurant; it is one of the defining experiences of the hotel itself.

1911 Restaurant

If The Spice Route is the hotel’s great gastronomic destination, 1911 Restaurant is its elegant everyday heart. Its name refers to the year in which Delhi was proclaimed the new capital of British India, and the bright, classically elegant dining room continues the dialogue between Indian history and European grand-hotel tradition found throughout The Imperial.

The restaurant operates throughout the day with a broad international and Indian menu, but we particularly enjoyed it at breakfast. The morning offering is exceptionally extensive, with an impressive buffet complemented by dishes prepared à la minute. Indian breakfast specialities sit comfortably alongside Western classics, fresh fruit, pastries, breads, juices and hot preparations, creating the kind of breakfast where several mornings are required to properly explore everything on offer.

One of the most fascinating details in 1911 Restaurant, however, has nothing to do with the food. Among the regular restaurant furniture stands a distinctive white metal table, Table No. 14, which has been carefully preserved because this was Mahatma Gandhi’s table during his visits to The Imperial, where he would take his breakfast and lunch. Rather than removing it during later renovations or placing it behind glass as a museum piece, The Imperial has kept the table where it belongs: inside a restaurant that continues to welcome guests every day.

Its simplicity makes the story even more beautiful. The white metal table is almost modest compared with the grandeur surrounding it, yet knowing that Gandhi once sat here gives it a significance that no specially commissioned piece of furniture could ever achieve. Table No. 14 remains as a quiet tribute to Gandhi and a tangible connection to one of the most decisive chapters in modern Indian history.

It is also a perfect illustration of what makes The Imperial different from a hotel that merely adopts a historical aesthetic. Here, history actually happened. Guests can have breakfast in the same dining room where Gandhi once started his day, while his table continues to occupy its place almost ninety years later. These small, authentic connections with the past are found throughout The Imperial and give the hotel a depth that simply cannot be recreated.

San Gimignano

For a completely different culinary direction, San Gimignano provides the Italian chapter of The Imperial’s gastronomic offering. The restaurant has a more intimate character and draws its inspiration from Tuscany, with Italian classics, handmade pasta and Mediterranean flavours forming the backbone of the menu.

The contrast with The Spice Route is considerable, and that is precisely its value within the hotel. Guests staying for several nights can move from the deeply immersive Asian experience of The Spice Route to a much more familiar and relaxed Italian dinner without leaving the property. When the Delhi weather permits, the outdoor component adds another pleasant dimension.

San Gimignano also demonstrates how The Imperial manages its gastronomy more broadly. There is no attempt to force every restaurant into the same historical or Indian narrative. Each has its own personality, allowing the hotel to offer genuine culinary diversity while maintaining a consistently elegant atmosphere.

The Atrium

One of our favourite moments during the stay was considerably more traditional: afternoon tea at The Atrium. Set beneath the impressive glass roof, the space fills with natural light during the day and provides an elegant setting for one of the great rituals associated with historic hotels.

Tea arrives accompanied by tiered stands filled with finger sandwiches, savouries, warm scones and pastries, creating an experience that feels completely at home within The Imperial. In many contemporary hotels, afternoon tea can feel like a concept imported primarily because it photographs well. Here, the architecture, tableware, history and unhurried style of service make it feel entirely natural.

It also provides a welcome moment of calm during a day in Delhi. After several hours outside in the extraordinary energy of the capital, there is considerable pleasure in returning to the hotel, sitting beneath the glass ceiling and allowing an hour to pass over tea and warm scones without feeling any particular need to be somewhere else.

The Haute Haute Pâtisserie at the Imperial transforms a passion for pastry into thoughtfully crafted experiences and is of a very high level.

1911 Bar & The Hardinge Bar

The bars provide another important dimension to The Imperial’s identity. This is a hotel that still understands the enduring attraction of a proper grand-hotel bar, where atmosphere comes primarily from the room itself rather than from unnecessary spectacle.

Dark wood, marble counters, leather seating, colourful stained glass and subdued lighting create wonderfully evocative interiors, while formally dressed bartenders and a contemporary cocktail programme prevent them from becoming exercises in nostalgia. Sitting at the bar in the evening, surrounded by historical photographs and polished timber while a cocktail is prepared in front of you, feels intrinsically connected to the personality of The Imperial.

1911 Bar has a particularly attractive Art Deco character and provides a livelier counterpart to the restaurant, while The Hardinge Bar offers a more intimate atmosphere. Together they demonstrate how successfully The Imperial allows old-world glamour and contemporary drinking culture to coexist.

Patiala Peg

Perhaps the most distinctive drinking tradition at The Imperial, however, is found at Patiala Peg. Its name refers not to a particular cocktail or type of whisky, but to one of India’s most colourful drinking traditions: the famously generous Patiala Peg, an unusually large measure of spirit historically associated with the Maharaja of Patiala.

Stories surrounding the precise origin of the measure vary and have acquired an almost legendary character over time, but the Patiala Peg became synonymous with princely generosity and eventually entered Indian drinking culture as an expression in its own right. Ordering one is essentially the opposite of asking the bartender to be conservative with the bottle. The Imperial has given this tradition a permanent home. Patiala Peg is presented by the hotel as the only bar in the world where the legendary Patiala measure is formally preserved and served with its dedicated measure, transforming what could easily have survived merely as a historical anecdote into another living part of the property.

It is a small but wonderfully characteristic detail. Throughout The Imperial, history is most interesting when it remains connected to the present, whether through Gandhi’s Table No. 14 at 1911 Restaurant, the ancient trading routes brought to life at The Spice Route or a rather formidable measure of whisky at Patiala Peg. The hotel does not simply tell these stories; wherever possible, it allows guests to continue participating in them. Taken together, the restaurants, afternoon tea and bars give The Imperial an unusually complete gastronomic identity. The variety is impressive, but what makes it particularly memorable is how naturally food and drink become another way of discovering the history and personality of the property. At The Imperial, gastronomy is not separated from the hotel story; it is one of the ways that story continues to be told.

Hotel Assets

The main assets of The Imperial include its incredible pool and wellness facilities:

Pool

Perhaps the greatest surprise of our stay was the outdoor swimming pool. Looking at The Imperial’s central location on a map, one would hardly expect to discover such an expansive pool area hidden behind the historical building. Yet surrounded by mature trees, palms and lawns lies a magnificent outdoor pool whose scale would feel entirely appropriate in a resort.

This is not a city-hotel pool that has simply been squeezed into an available courtyard. The generous dimensions of both the pool and its surroundings make it a genuine destination within the property, with plenty of space for sun loungers and enough greenery to provide an impressive degree of privacy. From certain perspectives around the water, almost nothing suggests that one of the world’s busiest capitals lies immediately beyond the hotel’s estate.

For us, this is one of The Imperial’s most distinctive qualities. It completely changes the rhythm of a stay in New Delhi. After a morning exploring monuments, markets and the fascinating chaos of the city, guests can return to the hotel and spend several hours beside a vast swimming pool in almost complete tranquillity before heading out again in the evening.

The eight-acre estate makes this possible. Space is an increasingly precious commodity in any major capital, and to find this amount of greenery surrounding a historic hotel in central New Delhi is exceptional. The mature gardens do much more than beautify the property; they create the physical separation that allows The Imperial to function almost like an urban resort in the heart of the Indian capital.

For leisure travellers and particularly for guests spending several nights in Delhi, the pool adds enormous value. The hotel becomes somewhere you actively want to spend part of the day rather than simply somewhere to return to at night, and that distinction significantly enhances the overall experience.

Wellness

The wellness facilities continue this resort-like philosophy indoors. The Imperial Spa is an exceptionally extensive wellness environment for a central city hotel and combines contemporary treatments with traditions deeply rooted in India, including Ayurveda and yoga. Treatment rooms are complemented by sauna and steam facilities, a Jacuzzi, relaxation areas and a well-equipped fitness centre. The Ayurvedic component gives the spa a welcome connection to its destination, with traditional therapies sitting naturally alongside more familiar contemporary treatments.

What makes the wellness offering particularly successful is its relevance within the context of Delhi. This is a city that rewards curiosity and exploration but can also be intensely stimulating. Returning after several hours outside and being able to move between the gardens, pool and spa creates an effective counterbalance to that energy. Together, the spa and pool considerably broaden The Imperial’s appeal. The hotel works perfectly as an exceptionally central base from which to explore New Delhi, yet it also contains enough leisure facilities to justify spending an entire day within the property.

Why go?

The Imperial New Delhi represents something increasingly difficult to find in contemporary luxury hospitality: a hotel with genuine history that has evolved without losing its identity. Its Art Deco architecture, extraordinary collection of art and wonderfully atmospheric interiors provide an unmistakable sense of place, while comfortable rooms, contemporary amenities and ambitious gastronomy ensure that the experience remains entirely relevant today.

What makes the property even more remarkable is the feeling of space and tranquillity it manages to create in the centre of one of the world’s most intense capitals. Behind the palms and historic façade lies a genuine sanctuary where almost ninety years of heritage coexist naturally with the expectations of the modern traveller. The Imperial does not need to recreate history because it has lived it. It is elegant without becoming theatrical, historic without feeling outdated and luxurious without sacrificing its personality – a true grand dame of New Delhi that remains as relevant today as the story it continues to preserve.