Book the The Imperial New Delhi with VIP Benefits

The Imperial New Delhi is one of the capital's landmark heritage hotels. It stands on Janpath, close to Connaught Place, the government district, and many cultural addresses. Opened in 1936, it still carries the scale and ceremony of New Delhi's early city plan. Yet it also works as a polished city retreat for today's travelers.

The arrival sets the tone with palms, white colonnades, broad lawns, and a pace that feels removed from the traffic outside. Inside, marble floors, high ceilings, deep verandas, period detail, and a large art collection give the hotel a clear sense of place. It feels rooted in Delhi rather than shaped like a standard city hotel.

This is a good address for travelers who want Delhi history, central access, and full-service comfort in one stay. Connaught Place, India Gate, Lodhi Garden, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the National Museum, and Khan Market are all practical by car. Old Delhi, Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, and the airport can be built into a broader itinerary.

The hotel suits first-time visitors who want a composed base for sightseeing. It also works for repeat guests who value atmosphere and for business travelers who need a central location. Dining, wellness, meeting rooms, and calm public spaces are all close at hand.

Heritage & Atmosphere

The Imperial's character comes from its mix of Victorian, Art Deco, and Lutyens-era references. The building was part of New Delhi's grand civic plan, and that history still shapes the mood of the hotel. Corridors are lined with paintings, prints, photographs, and memorabilia. A walk from room to restaurant can feel like moving through a private gallery.

The atmosphere is formal without being cold. Staff understand the rituals of a classic hotel, from arrival service to afternoon tea. They also know how to keep the stay easy for guests coming from long flights or full days in the city.

The grounds are a major part of the appeal. The eight-acre setting gives the hotel more breathing room than most central Delhi addresses. Lawns, gardens, and shaded paths create places to pause between meetings, meals, and sightseeing. This is especially valuable in a city as layered and energetic as Delhi. The Imperial does not try to erase the capital outside its gates. Instead, it gives guests a calm rhythm from which to explore it.

Rooms & Suites

Accommodations range from Deco Rooms and Imperial Rooms to Grand Heritage Rooms, Heritage Suites, Deco Suites, Luxury Suites, the Viceroy Suite, and the Imperial Suite. The style varies by category. The common thread is generous proportion, period-inspired detail, polished wood, Indian textiles, marble bathrooms, and a residential sense of order. High ceilings and large windows help many rooms feel brighter and more spacious than typical urban hotel rooms.

Imperial Rooms work well for shorter stays or travelers who will spend much of the day exploring. Grand Heritage Rooms add more space and richer detail. Deco Suites and Heritage Suites suit guests who want a stronger design statement. Larger suites give more room for entertaining, longer stays, or a more private apartment-like setting in the center of the city.

The Imperial Suite is the most elaborate expression of the hotel's old-New-Delhi personality. It has space to host, work, and unwind, with a setting that feels closely tied to the building's past.

Dining & Bars

The dining program is one of the reasons many Delhi residents know the hotel even if they are not staying overnight. The Spice Route is the signature restaurant, known for Southeast Asian and coastal Indian flavors served in a richly detailed setting. San Gimignano brings Italian cooking to the garden side of the hotel. 1911 Restaurant is the all-day venue for Indian and international dishes, breakfast, and relaxed meals between city plans.

The Atrium is the place for afternoon tea, coffee, and lighter pauses beneath the hotel's gracious public spaces. Patiala Peg has the feel of a clubby Delhi bar and is known for its namesake pour. 1911 Bar and The Hardinge Bar give guests more choices for cocktails and evening conversation.

Haute Patisserie adds cakes, pastries, and refined sweets for a quiet treat or a gift to take away. Together, the restaurants and bars make the hotel useful beyond a simple bed for the night. A guest can dine formally, meet privately, have a late drink, or keep the day easy without leaving the property.

Wellness & Pool

The Imperial Spa gives the hotel a resort-like dimension in the middle of the capital. Treatments include international therapies, Ayurveda-inspired rituals, beauty services, and longer wellness programs. The salon supports grooming before events, meetings, or celebrations. The spa areas, steam, sauna, fitness facilities, and yoga options help balance the pace of Delhi days. They are useful for guests working through jet lag or a packed itinerary.

The outdoor pool is another advantage. It feels especially welcome after sightseeing in warmer months. The surrounding greenery makes the area feel more private than the hotel's central location might suggest. Guests who want a slower day can combine breakfast, a swim, spa time, and dinner on property. That turns the hotel into a full-day retreat rather than only a place to sleep.

Meetings & Events

The Imperial has long been part of Delhi's social and diplomatic life, and its event spaces reflect that role. Meeting rooms, salons, and larger venues can support private dinners, board meetings, receptions, weddings, and cultural events. The service style is formal enough for important occasions. The setting gives events a sense of address that newer glass towers cannot easily match.

For business travelers, the location is practical for the central government area, diplomatic meetings, financial offices, and cultural institutions. For leisure guests, the same location reduces the friction of moving through the city. A morning can begin with India Gate or Lodhi Garden. It can continue with shopping around Khan Market or Connaught Place, then end with dinner at the hotel. Old Delhi, the Red Fort area, and Jama Masjid require more time and planning. The concierge can help shape the day around traffic and heat.

Delhi Access & Experiences

The Imperial is well placed for guests who want to understand Delhi through both monuments and daily life. Nearby Connaught Place brings colonial-era geometry, shops, restaurants, and metro access. India Gate and the ceremonial avenues of New Delhi show the capital's grand civic scale. Lodhi Garden, Humayun's Tomb, and Safdarjung's Tomb add greenery, architecture, and a quieter historical mood. Farther out, Qutub Minar and Mehrauli bring older layers of the city into view.

The hotel can also organize city tours, art-focused walks, and a day trip to Agra for guests who want to see the Taj Mahal while based in Delhi. The distance makes that a long day, but it is a popular option for travelers on a tight India schedule. Those with more time may prefer to spend a night in Agra. Others may add Jaipur to build a broader North India route. In either case, The Imperial works well as the Delhi anchor before or after a larger itinerary.

Who Should Stay Here

The Imperial New Delhi is strongest for travelers who want heritage, service, centrality, and a sense of Delhi's grand hotel tradition. It is more atmospheric than many modern business hotels and more complete than smaller boutique properties. Families can use the gardens, pool, and larger rooms to keep the stay comfortable. Couples may prefer the suites, spa, afternoon tea, and destination dining. Solo travelers and business guests benefit from a location that is easy to navigate and a hotel setup that handles details smoothly.

Compared with The Leela Palace New Delhi, The Imperial feels more historic and more connected to the center of the city. Compared with The Oberoi New Delhi, it is less contemporary and more heritage-led. Compared with Taj Palace New Delhi, it is smaller in resort scale but stronger in old-city atmosphere. Travelers choosing The Imperial usually value story, setting, and a sense of arrival as much as modern convenience.