Travel+Leisure. November 2026.

Growing up in India, a visit to The Imperial New Delhi was always exciting in our family. It was our go-to for visits to the capital, with convenient access to our favorite shopping spots at nearby Janpath and Connaught Place. I have fond memories of meeting friends over celebratory afternoon pastries that led into late-night conversations over whiskey pegs at one of the hotel bars.

At the entrance, muscular, mustachioed Sikh doormen wearing immaculate white uniforms with brass buttons and crimson turbans guided me inside what felt like a secluded Indian palace. Across an eight-acre garden estate, towering royal palms enclosed a mosaic-tiled outdoor pool, while the interiors featured antique chandeliers, silver frames, brass pots, and photographs of princely states and military figures, offering a richly detailed picture of India’s past. The hotel felt like an intimate museum, with so much art and intricate décor that my eyes hardly knew where to linger.

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