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India
The Experience
The gleaming white Art Deco facade of the Imperial is a testament to the vision the British had of New Delhi: a planned city that would be the very model of a modern major capital. Built by a protégé of Sir Edwin Luytens (New Delhi's main architect) in 1931, the hotel is flanked by a row of royal palms and surrounded by green lawns -- a purpose-built oasis. Inside, a mix of Victorian, Colonial and Deco styles, rich works of art and layout of two wings joined by an atrium create an intimate atmosphere that belies the hotel's size.
The RoomsThe hotel is split between the Heritage and Art Deco wings, and they stay true to their names. Heritage rooms (324 square feet) and suites (550 square feet) come with a built-in sense of history, including large wooden armoires and desks in the colonial Victorian style, along with Persian rugs, and lithographs by the Daniells brothers. The Art Deco suites increase the space to 630 square feet and are plushly modern, with chestnut wood and a mix of dark leather and light fabrics. Turn on your Bang & Olufsen TV and even swivel it between bedroom and living room.
The ServiceThe rooms and public areas practically shimmer, and in any room, staff members immediately smile and acknowledge your presence. Room service arrives promptly and is served with a discreet flourish: Coffee is poured, the tea properly steeped. And trays immediately disappear from outside the room -- it's a dream genie world.
The HighlightsWhat sets the Imperial apart is its very individual vibe, from the lion insignia that is replicated everywhere to the ghosts of pre-Independence Delhi; you can practically see men in white flannels and women drinking gin fizzes. Speaking of which, be sure to have a drink in the 1911 Bar (the foundation for New Delhi was laid in 1911), which hearkens back to the days of the British Raj and rule, with a large horseshoe bar and black-and-white photos of turbaned and mustachioed fellows. At the same time, the Imperial is truly a part of modern India; sit down for a bite at the red-and-gold Spice Route restaurant, which serves a mix of Thai and superb southern Indian cuisine.
-- Sunshine Flint
