THE IMPERIAL NEW DELHI

THE IMPERIAL NEW DELHI
(Our preferred hotel in New Delhi, India)
By Michael Chinnici

Our Rajasthan India Photo Adventures begin at the THE IMPERIAL, an impeccably detailed 5-star heritage hotel located in New Delhi, India. We enjoy the elegance of this property and all it has to offer including its 5-star restaurants and beautifully appointed luxury spa (a 2017 World Luxury Spa Awards Nominee). For architectural and interior lovers, this property also offers excellent photographic opportunities.

Chosen as India’s best ‘Luxury Historical Hotel’ by World Luxury Hotel Awards 2015, The Imperial is an iconic property in Delhi’s 5 star hotel category and the most distinguished address situated in the heart of the capital, reminiscent of the halcyon days of the Raj. A luxury hotel with an iconic and awe-inspiring heritage interwoven in colonial elegance, it dwells in its modern delivery of old-style class, magnificence and luxuries aplenty. Built in 1931 by Blomfield, one of Sir Edwin Lutyen’s associates and inaugurated by Lord Willingdon in 1936, it is New Delhi’s landmark Hotel, located on Janpath, the erstwhile Queensway. The Hotel is steps away from Connaught Place, the renowned shopping district and is very close to the city’s major attractions.

IMPERIAL HOSPITALITY

An oasis of calm and comfort sums up the understated luxury of Lutyen’s masterpiece- The Imperial New Delhi. One approach down a drive flanked by tall king palm trees with immaculately dressed doormen waiting to greet. With its modern delivery of old-style class and luxuries aplenty wrapped in colonial elegance, The Imperial invites you to the halcyon days of the Raj when opulence was the order of the day. 235 elegant rooms and suites, the 24 king palms, the pillared verandahs, The Tea lounge, The Royal Ballroom and the verdant gardens at The Imperial have played host to some celebrated moments between the British and Indian aristocracy.

Awash in white, The Imperial is a unique blend of classic and contemporary having successfully preserved its historic aura, providing its guests a lifetime of memories. It is a marvelous mélange of Victorian, Colonial and Art deco styles in its interiors. The spacious high ceiling guest rooms, stunning crystal chandeliers, sparkling marble floors, large mahogany tables along with the impressive wealth of original 18th and 19th century art collection adorning the corridors of the hotel is a priceless heritage. It’s Presidential Suite spans over 3,000 Sq. feet, including spacious & luxurious dining and sitting areas, an expansive master bedroom and study. Fragonard amenities, a special program for single lady travelers- Eliza, breathtaking flower arrangements by renowned French Artists, all bring a touch of 21st century luxury to the impeccable Imperial experience.

Praise is lavish for cuisine at The Imperial, which offers eight places to dine or lounge—including award- winning South East Asian fare at The Spice Route to Tuscan Italian at San Gimignano, Pan Indian embracing the journey of Thomas and William Daniell at Daniell’s Tavern to world cuisine at 1911 and classic European cuisine at Nostalgia, 1911 Brasserie along with High tea at The Atrium. Two luxurious Bars -the 1911 Bar with more than 500 beverages and the Patiala Peg – The Royal Polo Bar along with La Baguette- a French Patisserie, make for a stellar dining experience at The Imperial.

The award-winning Imperial Spa exclusively for resident guests at the hotel with its bespoke international and Ayurvedic rituals offer holistic environment, embedded in a breathtaking architecture, which is truly an ode to the world of wellness.

HISTORY OF THE IMPERIAL

The Hotel is connected to a fascinating part India’s history. Presently managed by the firm M/s Akoi Saab and owned by Sardar Hardev Singh Akoi and Sardar Jasdev Singh Akoi , grandsons of the Late Sardar Bahadur Ranjit Singh who built the hotel. Conceptualised in 1934 by Blomfield and inaugurated by Lord Willingdon in 1936, The Imperial is a fine confluence of a rich historical past and a slick international appeal. The 24 king palms that lead up to the porch are an integral part of and witness to the very creation of New Delhi. The Hotel was designed to be one of the finest monuments of Lutyens’ grand vision of the Capital City’s original master plan presenting a unique blend of Victorian, Old colonial and Art Deco styles. The hotel was named and conferred the exquisite Lion Insignia by Lady Willingdon. It was the first amongst the legendary “Four Maidens of the East”, which some say included The Strand hotel in Rangoon, Raffles Hotel in Singapore and The Great Eastern & The Oriental in Calcutta.

The Imperial was placed on the second most important social boulevard of the nation, the prestigious Queensway, now called Janpath, the first being the grand and ceremonious Kingsway, now known as Rajpath. From the time it opened its doors in the 1930s, when India was beginning to write the last chapters of its saga on independence, there was little space in New Delhi for an Indo-British rubbing of shoulders. The Imperial provided such a space. Pandit Nehru, Mahatama Gandhi, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten met at The Imperial under congenial conditions to discuss the partition of India and creation of Pakistan. The Nehru family had a permanent suite here.

If only walls could speak, here indeed was a repository of fascinating anecdotal material for authors of romantic and detective fiction. It was here at The Imperial, where you could clink your glasses on the same table as the King to the war efforts or Gandhi to the quit India movement, to the strains of Blue Dambe or the belly act of a belle from Beirut with an orchestra from London to serenade you at lunch and invite you to take the floor with candle – lit dinner in the evening.

Silver tea service, tableware from London, Italian marble floors, Burma teak furniture, original Daniells and Frasers on the walls, a vision of undulating green lawns, turbaned
waiters in red, all create the aura of an early 19th century English Manor in the heart of Imperial Delhi.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION (2015-2016)

- The Imperial has been awarded the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Award 2016 for being the best “Luxury Historical Hotel in India for 2016” in the country winner category.
- The Imperial has been chosen as the “Best Heritage Hotel” by Travel + Leisure India’s Best Awards 2016
- The Imperial has been chosen for Excellence as a Hot 25 Leisure Hotel/Resort in Asia by the readers of SmartTravelAsia.com
- The Imperial Spa and Salon has been awarded the prestigious World Luxury Spa Award and has been chosen as the “Best Beauty Salon in India for 2016”.
- The Imperial has been awarded the prestigious ‘Luxury Hotel of the Year’ award by Luxury Travel Guide Global Awards 2016
- The Imperial has been honoured with ‘Best performance in five star luxury category in Delhi/NCR’ by Booking.com
- Reflecting great reviews on TripAdvisor consistently, The Imperial has been recognized for the 2016 Certificate of Excellence.
- The Imperial Spa has been awarded ‘Best Spa Interiors (Hotel)’ by Geospa asiaspa India Awards 2015
- The Imperial has been chosen as India’s best ‘Luxury Historical Hotel’ by World Luxury Hotel Awards 2015
- Nostalgia at 1911 Brasserie, San Gimignano and Afternoon Tea at The Imperial win Certificate of Excellence- 2015 by Trip Advisor.
- The Imperial Spa has been awarded Winner of Luxury Wellness Retreat India – Global Awards 2015 by Luxury Travel Guide
- The Imperial has won the title of The Luxury Hotel of the Year- India by Luxury Travel Guide Global Awards 2015
- The Imperial, New Delhi has been chosen by Trip Advisor Hall of Fame for 2015 and is bestowed with the Excellence Award
- The Imperial Spa is a FINALIST for World Luxury Spa Awards 2015 – Best Luxury Hotel Spa