India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) (239 page)
Number One Mansingh Rd., New Delhi 110 011.
011/2302-6162.
Fax 011/2302-6070.
www.tajhotels.com
. [email protected]. 294 units. Rs 11,500 superior rooms; Rs 18,500 deluxe double; Rs 20,500 Taj Luxury; Rs 23,000 Taj Club double; Rs 40,000–Rs 250,000 suite. Taj Club and Suites include one-way airport transfer, breakfast, valet, wine, chocolates, and cocktail hour. Taxes extra. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
7 restaurants; bar; airport transfer (Rs 2,481); babysitting; concierge; currency exchange; doctor-on-call; DVD and CD library; health club, spa and gym; Internet (Rs 400/hr.); pool; 24-hr. room service; yoga. In room: A/C, TV, fax machine (all except superior), minibar, Wi-Fi (Rs 200/hr., Rs 600/day).
Moderate
Ahuja Residency
Situated adjacent to a park in Golf Links, one of the most expensive residential areas in Delhi, this family-run hotel offers reasonable comfort, a peaceful retreat from the city, and well-meaning service. The owners maintain standards and upgrade facilities regularly, so if you prefer a more intimate lodging experience and can’t quite afford to stay at Amarya (or, more likely, can’t get a reservation there) than Ahuja and Shanti are the next options you need to enquire into. Try to reserve no. 12, a slightly larger-than-average corner unit, or fork out on no. 11 converted to a suite but costing the same. You may find mattresses a trifle soft, but cool white linens make up for this. Guests tend to make a beeline for the lovely terrace overlooking the park and the neat little lawn out front. There’s a quaint country-style dining room for homey Indian meals. The Ahuja family also offers serviced apartments and has another guesthouse in Defence Colony.
193 Golf Links, New Delhi 110 003.011/2461-1027.
Fax 011/2464-9008.
www.ahujaresidency.com
. [email protected]. 12 units. Rs 5,738 double. Rates include taxes, breakfast. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
Dining room; airport transfer (Rs 750); doctor-on-call; Internet (Rs 50/hr.); limited room service; travel and transport assistance. In room: A/C, TV, minibar, Wi-Fi (complimentary).
Amarya Haveli & Amarya Gardens
Finally—exclusive boutique-style lodgings that combine eye-catching style, useful amenities (including round-the-clock chefs), relatively salubrious locations,
and
reasonable rates. Located in Hauz Khas,
Amarya Haveli
has six handsome rooms, each inspired by a different region of India and done out in luxurious locally sourced fabrics (owners Alex and Mathieu are in the textile business)—it’s a clever synthesis of traditional and contemporary elements, with a hefty injection of personality. Pricier, but with an even greater sense of exclusivity,
Amarya Gardens
is a little farther south in a masterfully transformed Defence Colony mansion: Rooms are big and airy, and there’s a cheerful, tree-shaded garden terrace. The signature here is the extensive use of white, accented with bold colors, antiques, and fresh flowers. Sexy and characterful, the Amarya properties are a real find, and rates remain very fair considering their obvious popularity. Besides good looks and luxurious accommodations, the homey-yet-sophisticated atmosphere means that you can really find yourself warming up to what is often experienced as a chaotic, alienating city.
Haveli:
P-5 Hauz Khas Enclave, near Safdarjung Dev. Area, New Delhi 110 016.011/4175-9268.
Fax 011/4265-1106. 6 Units. Rs 6,900 double; Rs 2,000 extra bed.
Gardens:
C 179 Defence Colony, New Delhi 110 024.011/4656-2735.
Fax 011/4656-2734.
www.amaryagroup.com
. [email protected]. 4 units. Rs 8,900 deluxe double; Rs 9,900 master suite. Rs 2,500 extra bed. Rates include breakfast and taxes. AE, MC, V.
Amenities:
Restaurant; lounge; bar; airport transfers (Rs 850–Rs 1,350); room service. In room: A/C and fans, TV, Wi-Fi (free).
Hans Plaza Hotel
The best reason to stay here is the location: conveniently located near (10-min. walk) Connaught Place. Staff members at this small hotel are also wonderfully friendly and enthusiastic, which is a major draw, particularly after surviving the dread induced by the building’s hideous facade (the hotel occupies only the ground and upper floors of some sort of office block). Inside, things have been spruced up quite dramatically, with a modern makeover in shades of brown against white marble floors, but be aware that guest rooms vary quite a bit. Ask for an executive room on the 17th or 18th floor, and you’ll have a decent wood-floor room with larger windows; deluxe doubles have better beds and furnishings. The rooftop restaurant and bar afford grand views of the city. However, at the current rates, we’d personally prefer to be at one of the classier options such as Amarya Haveli & Gardens or The Manor.
15 Barakhamba Rd., Connaught Place, New Delhi.011/6615-0000.
Fax 011/6615-0000.
www.hanshotels.com
. 74 units. Rs 9,000 executive double; Rs 10,000 deluxe double; Rs 12,000 suite. Rates include breakfast. Taxes extra. AE, DC, MC, V.
Amenities:
2 restaurants; bar; airport transfer (Rs 1,200); babysitting; currency exchange; doctor-on-call; Internet (Rs 200/hr.); room service. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi (Rs 200/hr., Rs 675/day).