The Imperial, New Delhi, India 🇮🇳

The grandeur of times long past, paired with impeccable service

Located between Connaught Place and the government district, The Imperial New Delhi is a grand hotel where world history was literally made — today, you can enjoy your dinner at the very same terrace table where the partition of India was once negotiated. From cucumber sandwiches to housekeeping staff who seem to appear as if by magic, to the Lounge with its gold-embossed room key — here, service is delivered in a way that’s charming rather than stuffy. With over 5,000 works of art, Art Deco Bars, and a temperature-controlled pool, one quickly becomes clear: this is more of a journey through time than a hotel stay — and this in-depth review will show you why.

Review #129

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Location

The Imperial New Delhi is located in the heart of New Delhi’s historic center, right between Connaught Place and the government district surrounding India Gate. The neighboring area is characterized by wide boulevards, colonial architecture, and many historic buildings dating back to the era of the British-planned city.

Many attractions, such as India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the Khan Market area, are just a short distance away. At the same time, the immediate surroundings feel much quieter and more elegant than many other parts of Delhi.

The location is a perfect fit for the hotel’s character: historic, prestigious, and closely tied to the history of the Indian capital.

Getting There

The Imperial New Delhi is centrally located on Janpath Road, just a few minutes from Connaught Place. Depending on traffic, it takes around 30–45 minutes to reach the hotel from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) by taxi or hotel shuttle.

If you’re using public transportation, you can reach the hotel via the Janpath or Patel Chowk metro stations, both of which are just a few minutes’ walk away. Meaning you’ll have easy access to the most important parts of Delhi even without a taxi.

If you’re arriving by long-distance train, it takes about 10–15 minutes by taxi to get to the hotel from New Delhi Railway Station. The city’s major bus stations are also mostly easy to reach. Despite its central location, the immediate area around the hotel is surprisingly quiet and spacious.

We arrived at the hotel by taxi from our previous hotel, The Leela Palace Delhi — as, I suppose, did most of the guests.

A road sign points you in the right direction as soon as you reach the hotel entrance. Right at the gate, a rather small, golden plaque elegant and discreetly displays the hotel’s name. There, as is customary, your car is checked for explosives before continueing down the long driveway to the entrance.

Once you arrive, staff dressed in beautiful traditional attire will open the doors for you and welcome you with the utmost warmth — a gesture that, from the very first moment, consistently foreshadows the hotel’s impeccable style, charm, and elegance, which it will later deliver in full! So – what a welcome!

Your luggage will also be unloaded and collected so it can be delivered directly to your room later. On the short walk up the stairs to the Lobby, the swinging door will be held open for you, and you’ll be greeted right away by the reception staff!

Reservation

We booked a Heritage Room — in this case, once again through our own booking platform — so we could enjoy special additional amenities.

The Imperial New Delhi currently offers the following benefits when booking the Preferred Partner Rate:

• Free breakfast daily for up to two guests per room

• $100 hotel credit

• Free basic Wi-Fi for your stay

• Early check-in and late check-out (if available)

• Free upgrade (if available at check-in)

Check-in

After arriving at the Lobby, we were greeted with a welcome ceremony, handed over our passports, and, after a brief conversation with the receptionist, were escorted directly to our room. That’s where the actual check-in took place.

Some interesting details about the house were told, and the actual procedure was woven into the conversation in a very charming way. We were then asked if we’d like another drink and decided on a (delicious) freshly squeezed orange juice, which found its way to our room just a few minutes later.

We were also informed that our room category included access to the Imperial Lounge — which was unexpected but even more so, made us very happy!!!

By the way, check-in here at The Imperial New Delhi is available already starting at 2:00 p.m.

The Imperial New Delhi at a Glance

The Imperial New Delhi is one of India’s oldest grand hotels and opened in 1936, a few years after New Delhi was officially declared the capital of British India. It was founded by Lord Willingdon as the luxury hotel of the new capital and owes its name to Lady Willingdon, the resolute wife of the British Viceroy, who insisted on the name “The Imperial.”

In its early decades, the hotel was managed by the Oberoi family, who had leased it from the Singh family — and remains in the same family’s ownership to this day. Even back then, it was regarded as a social hub for diplomats, politicians, and international guests, and is still closely tied to the city’s history to this day.

The building was designed in the colonial style and combines classic British architecture with Indian elements. Wide hallways, high ceilings, marble floors, and historic works of art characterize the entire property, which feels less like a modern hotel and more like a historic city palace with spacious interiors and gardens.

The hotel spans three floors and features a total of 235 rooms and Suites. The Deluxe and Heritage rooms are primarily located on the first and second floors, while the larger Suites and Signature Suites are mainly on the third floor. Many rooms are classically furnished and reflect the hotel’s colonial style with dark wood, historic details, and traditional fabrics.

The ground floor houses the Lobby, reception desk, several restaurants, and the Lounge. Particularly striking is the grand entrance hall, featuring historical photographs, works of art, and numerous details from the history of Delhi and the hotel itself — some of the hotel’s most famous restaurants, which have been fixtures in the city for decades, are also located on this level. The pool area is to be found in the garden at ground floor level, surrounded by palm trees and colonial arcades, while the spa and fitness area are placed in the basement and blend discreetly into the historic architecture.

The Imperial is more than just a beautiful building — it is a piece of Indian history. It was right here that Mahatma Gandhi, Lord Mountbatten, Pandit Nehru, and the Muslim politician Muhammad Ali Jinnah once sat together to negotiate one of the most momentous events of the 20th century: the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. The table where they sat back then is still to be found on the terrace today — with a little luck, you can even enjoy dinner there, in the exact spot where world history was made. Jinnah is even said to have announced the founding of Pakistan from the Imperial’s ballroom.

The hotel has hosted countless state guests, maharajas, and movie stars, and boasts an art collection of over 5,000 original works from the 17th and 18th centuries, displayed throughout the Lobby, hallways, and guest rooms. Overall, The Imperial New Delhi feels less like a classic luxury hotel and more like a historic grand hotel with a museum-like atmosphere — the history of the hotel is palpable in nearly every area, from the hallways and restaurants to the historic photographs and art collections that are displayed throughout the entire building.

Grand Heritage Room

As mentioned earlier, we were booked into a Grand Heritage Room. So room No. 321 is ours for the night — let’s take a closer look at it together.

Welcome

As we walked into the room, a welcome gift was waiting for us. A card and some fruit were already laid out. Shortly after that, three small cucumber sandwiches arrived fresh from the kitchen — very typically British and so yummy! — along with fantastic, moist madeleines, half-coated in chocolate — the best we’ve ever had!!!

And then there was the freshly squeezed orange juice! It wasn’t anything too fancy, but it was beautifully presented, served fresh, and of truly fantastic quality!

Living Room and Bedroom

Just past the room door, you’ll find yourself in the large combined living and bedroom. Here, too, you can see the historic layout of the entire house. These days, people would try to separate the different areas more clearly, but here, everything is simply housed in one single, square room.

Straight ahead, right in front of the only window, is a desk with a phone, notepad, and pen ready to use. A particularly nice touch is the charging port that is built right into the desk and clearly labeled. This preserves the historic character while still offering modern technology.

The huge bed right next to the door is spacious — 2.20 wide and 2 meters long — and looked a bit like the kind you’d find at your grandparents’ house back in the day, which somehow fits the style of the house perfectly — a high-end, modern-style Suite would really be out of place here. The mattress was actually a bit firmer; if that’s not your thing, you can ask for an extra topper. The pillows were a mix of soft and firm, and the comforter was wonderfully cozy and light — but above all, intricately embroidered with the hotel’s logo — very chic!

On the wall behind the bed, you’ll find a wardrobe. Yes. A real, proper closet. Not a built-in one or anything like that. One made of real wood with inlays, which is surely just as old as the hotel itself. The two pairs of hinged doors provide plenty of space for your clothes — both on hangers and in drawers.

Of course, you’ll also find an ironing board and iron here, along with a safe, slippers, and everything you need for shoe care.

Next to it is a luggage rack that can also be used as a small cabinet. By the way, you can fold down a cushion to create an extra seat if not needed for luggage storage.

Right next to the front door, hidden inside a sideboard, is the minibar. On the countertop are the capsule coffee machine, the electric kettle, cups of various sizes, water, and tea—beautifully packaged in small tin cans. Very British, once again. Tea definitely is more important here than coffee!

The refrigerator is stocked with soft drinks, energy drinks, water, juices, and beer. In the adjacent cabinet, you’ll find sweet and salty snacks, as well as glasses and the price list for the minibar.

Of course, a hotel with such high standards as The Imperial New Delhi also offers its guests turndown service. As part of this service, the curtains are drawn, the ceiling light is turned off, and the bedside lamps are turned on. The bed is also made up for the night. The decorative pillows are removed, and the pillows are arranged so that you can fall asleep right away. The bedspread is turned back, and bottles of water with a glass are placed on both nightstands.

By the way, it was really, really great that Rameshwar, the housekeeping staff member assigned to us, apparently had his office right down the hall from us and would pop up every now and then as if by magic, wish us a nice day, and ask if everything was okay or if we needed anything. He also asked when we’d like the turndown service and if there was anything in particular he should keep in mind. That’s what I call really great service!

He also noticed right away that we’d taken the great little amenities from the bathroom as souvenirs and gave us a huge pile of them on top of that! 🙂 Awesome — so thoughtful! It’s exactly these little gestures that make the difference between a good stay and a fantastic one! An employee like that is worth their weight in gold and a real treasure!

Bathroom

In the bathroom, too, it becomes clear once again that you’re in a historic building. The entire room is lined with marble and exudes 1920s elegance, though it’s on the smaller side. Right to the left of the entrance is the vanity with one sink. There you’ll also find a relatively large selection of toiletries.

The bathrobes are hanging on the inside of the door. Straight ahead, in the window alcove, is the built-in bathtub with a shower. To the right is the toilet and an additional shower stall, which was certainly added later as an extra convenience to accommodate the modern habits of today’s guests, but which blends in perfectly with the overall design. The Forrest amenities from their Bitter Orange & Cinnamon line smelled fantastic — like a summer in Spain or an orange grove.

View

By the way, the window shapes were interesting. They certainly resembled loopholes and were likely chosen back then to keep the heat out. Our view looked out the back, offering an unobstructed view of the large terraces and the beautifully green garden. Nothing incredibly spectacular, but definitely nice.

The Imperial Lounge

Although we had definitely looked into it before our arrival and knew there was a Lounge at The Imperial New Delhi, we had dismissed the idea because we didn’t expect to have access to it. Surprisingly, however, we were informed that, thanks to our room upgrade, we were also allowed to use the Lounge. Naturally, this made us all the more delighted! Upon closer inspection, the room key even features gold embossing and the words“ The Imperial Lounge” printed on it. That, of course, also indicates access privileges.

Located on the ground floor, roughly behind the front desk, the Lounge features three different rooms with sofas and standard dining tables for seating. Here, you can relax all day long and enjoy soft drinks, water, coffee, or tea. You can also choose from a small menu of food items. The space is wonderfully quiet and invites you to unwind and linger in an elegant atmosphere.

In the Lounge itself, you’ll be looked after by two really nice and extremely service-oriented staff members. They do a truly great job and are always there without being intrusive.

In the evening, the “Evening Indulgence” features a small but exquisite and exceptionally high-quality selection of dishes, along with wine and Cocktails.

During peak season, the Club Lounge also offers an à la carte breakfast; however, this was not available in May 2026 due to it being the off-season. There is also a small outdoor area for smokers.

Also worth mentioning is the Lounge’s public restroom: There’s staff there who, after you leave the stall, turn on the faucet for you to wash your hands and then hand you a towel to dry off—that was completely unfamiliar and totally weird at first, but he did it so wonderfully that it felt extremely friendly and unobtrusive. Once again — service of the highest caliber, without ever coming across as snobbish or aloof.

Hotel Activities

Pool

Of course, a hotel like The Imperial New Delhi wouldn’t be complete without a pool. And, as expected, the hotel doesn’t disappoint here either! The very large, temperature-controlled pool offers just the right refreshment in the hot weather. In addition to the main pool, there’s also an elevated, round hot tub — our dream combo!

On two sides of the pool, there are several pairs of lounge chairs, each with a beach umbrella. As soon as we arrived at the pool area, we were greeted warmly here as well and were able to choose one of the many lounge chairs available that afternoon. The extremely attentive staff member then laid out the towels on the loungers, and just a few moments later, a sort of picnic basket featuring cold towels and ice-cold lemonade was waiting for us. Just like at The Leela Palace New Delhi — really cool!

We loved cooling off in the pool so much that we went for another swim right after dinner, and Padip from the pool team was kind enough to let us stay (without us realizing it) even past the area’s official closing time of 10:00 p.m. — and we even got to have a little chat with him — it’s just the little things like that which make stays like this so special.

Fitness Center

The gym is located in the basement of the building and even lets in natural light thanks to strategically placed skylights. The room, which isn’t too large, has a handful of pieces of equipment for a good workout. The entrance to the gym is located next to the pool or can be accessed from the hotel’s basement.

In addition, there’s also a fairly large yoga sanctuary where daily morning sessions are offered.

Spa

The Imperial Spa is located next to the gym, also in the hotel’s basement — below the garden, so to speak — but can be accessed through its own entrance. The space is also beautifully designed, featuring an elegant blend of Indian, Arabic, and British elements.

In addition to the individual treatment rooms, the spa also features a hot tub that is available to guests who have booked treatments.

Restaurants

The Spice Route

The hotel’s Asian restaurant is a true treasure trove. Built and furnished over many years, it creates the illusion of being inside a centuries-old house with a temple and courtyard in an Asian country. The extremely elaborate wood carvings and paintings are incredibly impressive. You step into a forest of columns and then find yourself right inside the building. The seating arrangements also vary depending on the area.

Our booked rate included a $100 hotel credit, so we decided to use it for dinner here. As expected, we weren’t disappointed. The service was incredibly friendly, attentive, and professional, without ever coming across as cold. The food was absolutely delicious and arrived very quickly. All in all, another great experience here. The only thing was that the air conditioning was set quite cold, so I quickly grabbed some sweaters for both of us from our room.

San Gimignano

In addition to a beautiful interior, this Italian restaurant also features an exquisitely designed patio area.

1911 Restaurant

The hotel’s all-day dining restaurant serves international and Indian specialties from morning until late in the evening. The brasserie features a wonderfully classic Art Deco style, and you can admire the beautiful panoramic murals here.

The restaurant’s terrace is, of course, especially popular during the cooler evening hours.

The Atrium

The atrium at The Imperial New Delhi is truly beautifully designed and feels more like a piazza than the interior of a hotel. As a result, it’s the ideal place for afternoon tea with scones or coffee and cake.

Patiala Peg

Have you always wanted to try an authentic Patiala Peg? That legendary mix of 60 ml of whiskey and 60 ml of water, served in a special glass? Then you’ve come to the right place. This traditional drink is served in its authentic form exclusively here at The Imperial New Delhi.

1911 Bar

Adjacent to the 1911 Restaurant, the bar is also decorated in a beautiful Art Deco style, and the bar itself is particularly impressive. The glasswork is exquisitely delicate, and the wall mural is rich in detail and striking.

Haute Patisserie

Located in one of the stairwells, the pastries for the atrium come from here, but of course you can also take them with you to go.

The Hardinge Bar

Adjacent to the 1911 Bar, this bar offers more privacy and seclusion. So if you’re looking for even more exclusivity, this is the right choice for you.

Breakfast

Breakfast at The Imperial New Delhi is served at the beautiful 1911 Restaurant. As is customary in India, a truly extensive buffet is laid out, which also features a live cooking station for egg dishes. The selection here is much more geared toward international guests — the Indian breakfast selection is relatively small compared to other hotels.

Orders for hot beverages are taken and are being served at the table. The service here was, of course, absolutely outstanding, and all the dishes we were able to try were truly delicious.

However, there isn’t an à la carte menu — to be honest, I would have really liked to see one here — which would actually be in line with the hotel’s standard.

Service

As already mentioned in several other parts of this review, the service was truly outstanding. The check-in process was completely private and efficient, the housekeeping staff member Rameshwar was a real gem, the pool team was great, and the ladies at the Lounge were just plain wonderful! All the staff members were charming and skilled communicators in every interaction — professional yet warm. We felt truly well taken care of at all times and were very comfortable.

Checkout

We checked out at the front desk. Everything was perfectly organized, and after the quick and friendly check-out process, we chatted for a little while. They also asked if we needed any help with our departure.

Costs

For this one night at The Imperial New Delhi in May 2026, we paid a good 28,820 IDR. At the time of our trip, that was equivalent to about 260 euros. The price was for the Heritage Room — the upgrade to the Grand Heritage Room and the accompanying access to the Imperial Lounge, as well as the 100 USD hotel credit and complimentary breakfast, were included in the Preferred Partner Rate we booked.

Departure and Onward Travel

After our stays at the Andaz Delhi, the JW Marriott Delhi, the Hyatt Regency Delhi, and The Leela Palace New Delhi, we’re now leaving the city and heading to our next stop with a driver we booked through GetYourGuide. The Oberoi in Agra — just a stone’s throw from the Taj Mahal — is also among the very best hotels. So stay tuned. It’s worth it!

Conclusion

It’s hard to say anything more than: awesome, awesome, and even more awesome.

We had been looking forward to this trip with great anticipation, and it truly exceeded our expectations.

In our opinion, the hotel is particularly well-suited for solo travelers, business travelers, and couples. The atmosphere is indeed very upscale, quiet, and elegant. Of course, families can also have a good time here — the pool is certainly inviting for a splash. However, there are no designated family areas.

On our internal EVRYWHRE scale, The Imperial New Delhi definitely ranks at Top-Notch!

Rating

What else can we give this stay at The Imperial New Delhi other than a well-deserved 10 out of 10 possible points?

Actually, we could have scored one of those rare, legendary 11-point ratings, but we ended up missing out on that because of the not existing à la carte breakfast menu.

Go there?

Yes, definitely! The hotel is simply legendary, and if your budget allows and you’re in town, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on staying here. Well definitely be back!

Book with EVRYWHRE

Would you like to stay at The Imperial New Delhi? Then book using our Preferred Partner rate! It won’t cost you any more, but it offers real benefits:

✔ Free breakfast
✔ Upgrade subject to availability
✔ $100 hotel credit
✔ Early check-in & late check-out
✔ Earn points—as usual

You can find all the details on our Booking Hub.

YouTube Review

Want to learn more about this legendary hotel in New Delhi? Then be sure to check out our YouTube review. Fabi has once again put together a great video for you that highlights the best features of this amazing hotel even better than I can in this written review.