The Imperial New Delhi

The Imperial is the grand old hotel of New Delhi, a short walk from Connaught Place on Janpath, and it has been welcoming guests since 1936. The building combines Victorian, Art Deco and Lutyens-era influences, and it stands in eight acres of grounds, which gives it a calm that is rare so close to the centre of the city. Few hotels in Delhi carry as much history, and that heritage feeling shapes the whole stay.

Accommodation ranges from rooms to suites, and the Deco Suites draw on the hotel's Art Deco heritage and its interest in art. A Digital Library offers a quiet place to read and work away from the room. The hotel is rated five stars, and the scale of its grounds means that even at busy times there is space to find a quiet corner.

Eating and drinking is a strength. The 1911 Restaurant serves classic Indian dishes, The Spice Route focuses on Asian cooking, and San Gimignano offers Italian food. The Atrium is the all-day option, and Haute Patisserie covers cakes and pastries. For drinks, the 1911 Bar shares its name with the hotel's Indian restaurant, and there are also The Hardinge Bar and Patiala Peg.

For relaxation there is The Imperial Spa, with Ayurveda treatments, a salon and a yoga space, and a swimming pool in the grounds, a welcome escape in the hotter months. The hotel also arranges day trips to the Taj Mahal in Agra and has meeting and event spaces.

The Imperial suits travellers who want a sense of history and old-world service, couples, and anyone who wants to be within walking distance of Connaught Place, Janpath and the central sights. Rates are at the luxury end of the market, so book early for the winter season, when Delhi's hotels are busiest.

The location is one of the best in the city for first-time visitors. Connaught Place's shops and restaurants are a short walk north, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is nearby, and India Gate and the museums of central New Delhi are a short taxi ride away. Even if you are not staying, a drink in the 1911 Bar is a good way to see the hotel.