India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) - Keith Bain [364]
The Claridges With over half a century behind it, this elegant old-fashioned hotel—in an upmarket residential neighborhood, convenient to many Central Delhi sights—may not offer the same posh luxury as the city’s overrepresented Western chains, but provides good access to local life as its smart, down-to-earth restaurants and watering holes feature highly on the local social barometer. Dhaba, the Punjabi restaurant, serves a refined, hygienic version of the simple, tasty food found along North India’s busy highways; Sevilla is the semialfresco Mediterranean restaurant under a canopy of trees and thatch; the attached vodka bar is sublime. Ongoing room renovations in recent years have been met with several steep jumps in price, and accommodations are a mixed bag, with rates charged according to the relative level of comfort and aesthetic appeal. The Claridges rooms in both wings have private balconies and a more sumptuous look than the deluxe category; club suites are aimed with business travelers in mind.
12 Aurangzeb Rd., New Delhi 110 011. 011/4133-5133. Fax 011/2301-0625. www.claridges.com. info@claridges.com. 137 units. Rs 11,500 deluxe double, Rs 13,000 Claridges Room double, Rs 16,000 Club double; Rs 25,000–Rs 45,000 suites; Rs 2,000 extra bed. Taxes extra. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 4 restaurants; 2 bars; tea lounge; patisserie; airport transfer (Rs 2,200); babysitting; currency exchange; doctor-on-call; health club w/spa/sauna/steam; Internet (Rs 200/hr., Rs 700/day); outdoor pool; kiddies’ pool; room service. In room: A/C, TV, DVD on request, hair dryer, minibar, scale, Wi-Fi (Rs 200/hr., 700/day).
The Park The fabulous Park has injected some humor into the serious aspirations of Delhi’s other five-star properties, with a chichi designer makeover that extends from the cool drama of the prettily festooned lobby, to the ultratrendy restaurants and bar, and right into the elegant guest rooms and intelligently designed bathroom. If you require a tub, book a “luxury premium” room, which is enormous. Because of the curved shape of the hotel, guest rooms vary in size somewhat: The largest are at the corners of each floor—it’s worth requesting these. For indulgences, there’s Aura—gym, spa, and saloon; and there’s often a party in and around the funky pool, which not only has a bar but a net—so guests can play water volleyball—and a giant mirror ball to remind them they’re on vacation! Our favorite chain hotel in its price range, with enough visual fabulousness to just about make up for the disconcertingly indifferent service levels.
15 Parliament St., New Delhi 110 001. 011/2374-3000. Fax 011/2373-4400. www.theparkhotels.com. resv.del@theparkhotels.com. 220 units. Rs 12,000 luxury double; Rs 14,000 premium double; Rs 18,000 residence double; Rs 30,000 deluxe suite; Rs 50,000 presidential suite. Rates include breakfast. Residence units, and suites, include airport transfers. Taxes extra. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 3 restaurants; 2 bars; airport transfer (Rs 2,096); babysitting; doctor-on-call; health club; library of DVDs and CDs; massage; pool; room service; spa with sauna and steam; Wi-Fi (Rs 400/hr., Rs 800/day). In room: A/C, TV, DVD, hair dryer, Internet (Rs 400/hr., Rs 800/day), minibar, MP-3 docking station (only in Residence rooms and suites).
Taj Mahal Hotel Among our top five-star hotel picks in the Capital, and as such offering hands-down best value in the superior room category, this opulent, slightly brash hotel has an exciting atmosphere, award-wining restaurants and a range of superefficient amenities. Its major drawing card is the high esteem in which it is held locally—this is one of the best places to watch the Delhi glitterati at play and work: Capped by zardozi domes, the lobby alone sees a huge variety of beautiful