Some hotels are simply somewhere to sleep. Others become part of the trip itself, and for me, The Imperial New Delhi was definitely the latter.
I stayed here for three nights in August with my daughter and from the moment we arrived, we both loved it. Our first impression was of the handsome, tall, turban-clad doormen and front-of-house team in brilliant white kurtas, followed by a traditional swagat welcome with marigold garlands and tikka from the women, who wore their saris with such grace. The scent in the hotel was absolutely divine and the floral displays were to die for. It felt special before we had even reached our room. I have saved a few of my favourite photos from our stay on my Instagram highlights.
The Imperial Hotel dates back to 1936 and has an extraordinary history. Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah and Lord Mountbatten all passed through its doors and the hotel is home to more than 5,500 works of art. Normally, when I read facts like that about a hotel, I think, “Yes, lovely”… but when you’re actually walking along those magnificent corridors, looking at the paintings, photographs, Persian carpets and Art Deco details, you really do feel that history around you. And yet it never feels like a museum. It feels like somewhere you actually want to stay.
Our Heritage Room was elegant, calm and wonderfully spacious, plenty of room for my daughter to make a complete mess! and it was exactly what we needed after being out exploring Delhi in the August heat. My daughter found the traffic, noise and sheer intensity of Delhi quite overwhelming at times, but she relaxed almost the moment we stepped back over The Imperial’s threshold. Set within eight acres of gardens, it became our oasis of calm.
The pool was another real highlight. I swam for 30 minutes every day and despite the humidity and temperatures in the mid-thirties, the water was wonderfully cool. The poolside service was lovely too, with chilled water arriving in a picnic basket; such a small detail, but exactly the sort of thing you remember.
Breakfast was excellent, with so many choices. I went very Indian with masala dosa and masala omelette, while my daughter was much happier with fruit and pastries. It became one of those easy little morning rituals before heading out into the city.
One afternoon, my daughter and I escaped to The Imperial Spa for two 60-minute signature spa rituals, and this was probably one of my favourite memories of the stay. It began with a warm foot ritual, followed by the massage, beautiful oils and then the most glorious bath filled with flower petals. It felt completely indulgent and, after a day in Delhi, absolutely heavenly. Since coming home, I discovered that The Imperial Spa has been named Best Hotel Spa in India 2026 by the World Spa Awards, which made me smile because it really was exceptional.
Food was another highlight. For our special dinner, we went to The Spice Route, which is one of those restaurants where the gorgeous interiors are almost as memorable as the meal. We tried lots of Asian dishes and the portions were so generous and utterly delicious, gosh, it was difficult to pick a favourite dish. I highly recommend trying a selection but as starters. The whole evening felt like a proper occasion without being overdone. The menu is extensive and something for everyone's taste buds.
For our more relaxed lunches and dinners, we loved the 1911 Restaurant. In fact, it became our favourite spot in the hotel. There is so much natural light streaming in and the beautiful turquoise tiles seem to catch and reflect it. It has a completely different feel from The Spice Route; lighter, more relaxed and perfect for those moments when you just want to sit, eat well and talk about everything you have seen that day.
The location is another huge plus. The Imperial is on Janpath, so you are brilliantly placed for central Delhi. Connaught Place is close by, as is the Cottage Industries emporium for shopping and Gandhi Smriti is within easy reach too. It also makes organising airport transfers and heading out for sightseeing very straightforward. For me, that matters. A beautiful hotel is one thing, but a beautiful hotel in the right location makes the whole trip so much easier.
And ultimately, that is why I’ve chosen The Imperial as my preferred Delhi hotel for Travel with Anita. Of course, it has all the accolades; two Michelin Keys, extraordinary history, wonderful restaurants and now an award-winning spa, but that isn’t really why I’ve chosen it.
I’ve chosen it because I’ve stayed there. I’ve slept there, eaten there, swum there, wandered through those corridors, sat by the pool, had the spa treatment and experienced the service for myself.
And I loved it.
When I take women to India with Travel with Anita, I want them to stay in places that feel part of the journey rather than simply somewhere we’ve booked a room. I want to be able to say, hand on heart, “I’ve stayed here, I know it, and I think you’re going to love it too.”
The Imperial is exactly that sort of place. And I already know that when we come back through those doors after a busy day exploring Delhi, I’ll be very happy to say, “Welcome home.”
