India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [363]
Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg, New Delhi 110 003. 011/2436-3030. Fax 011/2436-0484. www.oberoihotels.com. reservations.tond@oberoihotels.com. 283 units. Rs 19,500 deluxe double; Rs 23,500 luxury double; Rs 28,500 premiere double; Rs 33,000 executive suite; Rs 45,000 special executive suite; Rs 59,000 deluxe suite; Rs 75,000 luxury and duplex suite; Rs 99,000 curzon suite; Rs 2,30,000 kohinoor suite. Taxes extra. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; bar; enoteca (wine bar); patisserie and delicatessen; airport transfer (free for premiere rooms and suites; Rs 3,250 for others); babysitting; concierge; doctor-on-call; fitness centre; Internet (Rs 450/hr.); indoor and outdoor heated pool; room service; spa; valet. In room: A/C, TV, butler service, DVD player, fax machine (except 1st floor), hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (Rs 800/40 min.–24 hr.).
Shangri-La Hotel Making good use of space and light, and less pretentious than some of the city’s more established luxury hotels, this is a good choice if you’re looking for a central location but don’t want to shell out on The Imperial; it also has a gorgeous pan-Asian restaurant, 19 Oriental Avenue, which is beautiful to look at, with two live kitchens serviced by hardworking kimono-clad waitresses. Most guest rooms enjoy great views of the city; the higher up you go, the more intriguing the city scene—ask for a “Parliament View” if you’d like to see a greener Delhi. Deluxe rooms start on the 12th floor; they’re carpeted and dressed in earthy tones, and are very spacious compared to that of many other large city hotels. Horizon rooms are on higher (17th and 18th) floors and are priciest, but come with a host of amenities. Outdoor areas, although small, include a fabulous pool surrounded by trees.
19 Ashoka Rd., Connaught Place, New Delhi 110 001. 011/4119-1919. Fax 011/4119-1988. www.shangri-la.com. slnd@shangri-la.com. 320 units. Rs 16,000 superior double; Rs 19,000 deluxe double; Rs 19,000 premiere double; Rs 22,000 Horizon superior double; Rs 22,000 Horizon premiere double; Rs 25,000–Rs 92,000 suite; Rs 2,500 extra bed. Taxes extra. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; lobby lounge-bar; pastry shop; airport transfer (Rs 2,590); babysitting; doctor-on-call; health club; Internet (complimentary); indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis; Ayurvedic massage; heated outdoor pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (complimentary).
Expensive
The Ambassador Hotel Not far from Lodi Gardens and Humayun’s Tomb, and practically next door to Khan Market, this hotel—operating since 1950—has an old-world ambience, with plenty of wood paneling and understated 21st-century luxuries like i-Pod docking stations. It’s not particularly elegant, and you might find standard guest rooms small and cluttered, but if you’re counting your rupees it offers relatively good value in this price category and is perfectly acceptable if the other recommendations are full. The superior guest room are worth the extra Rs 1,500 with French doors opening onto private balconies (not that there’s all that much to see) and large naturally lit bathrooms. Buffet breakfasts are taken in the bright, laid-back Yellow Brick Road coffee shop, which has an outdoor section that can be lovely in the morning. It’s less opulent and grandiose than some of the other upmarket hotels in town, with less formal but pleasant enough service.
Sujan Singh Park, Cornwallis Rd., New Delhi 110 003. 011/2463-2600. Fax 011/2463-8219. www.tajhotels.com. ambassador.delhi@tajhotels.com. 88 units. Rs 10,000 standard double; Rs 11,500 superior double; Rs 13,500 executive double; Rs 18,000 deluxe suite; Rs 1,000 extra