The Claridges

With a refined, colonial look, landscaped gardens and a location in the heart of New Delhi close to Central Secretariat, in some ways The Claridges represents an India gone by, but it’s also home to a range of top-class eating and drinking options, luxurious spa, and even a vodka bar.

The rooms are elegant and traditional in style, with antique furnishings and colonial-style features side-by-side with modern artworks and design pieces. The Club Room brings to mind the days of the Raj, with its grand columns and arches, polished dark wood floors and old-fashioned furnishings; the Luxury Suite has beautiful views of the fountain-dotted gardens; and so does the grand The Claridges Suite, which has a large private balcony from which you can take in the view.

The Claridges has a range of dining options to satisfy foodies of all stripes, with various international cuisines to choose from. Pickwicks serves up light bites, pasta dishes, grilled meats and sandwiches in a casual setting, while Jade is the place to go for authentic mainland Chinese cuisine. Highly-rated Sevilla is among Delhi’s leading Mediterranean restaurants, and Dhaba offers delicious Indian street food in a characterful setting. And if you’re still peckish, head to Ye Old Bakery – long a favourite patisserie of hungry Delhiites. At Aura, several of the world’s finest vodkas are on offer alongside other spirits and beverages.

The indulgent spa draws on ancient Ayurvedic traditions to offer a range of treatments which will help you relax and recharge after a day experiencing the frantic energy of Delhi. At Silhouette hair and beauty salon, a range of highly-qualified therapists will see that you’re looking your best, and there’s also a fully kitted-out fitness centre. The outdoor pool is a great place to relax with a cocktail or snack from the adjacent bar.

The Claridges’ central New Delhi location means that many of the capital’s famous attractions are close at hand. That includes India Gate, an iconic memorial arch to those lost in the First World War and Third Afghan War; the majestic Red Fort, a Mughal fortress dating from the 1630s; and the magnificent Humayun’s Tomb.