My Staycation at The Imperial, Where Luxury is in Every Detail

A while back I came across a quote " Luxury is in every detail" and a few days later, I felt the deep underlying meaning of the quote! The feeling stayed with me throughout my stay in this luxury colonial hotel in Delhi, it refused to leave me as I walked through its majestic & tastefully done corridors, it lingered as I ate in the opulent restaurants with pleasing service or just sat around soaking in the views around me. One may wonder how far did I travel for this? Not much. I was in the bustling Janpat area of Delhi, where statuesque king palms welcomed me from the driveway to one of the most iconic hotels, rightly called "The Imperial"

Soaked in history, The Imperial has an awe inspiring heritage that has attracted prestigious guests like James Cameron, Kate Winslet, King of Morocco, Queen of Netherlands and more over the years. Designed to suit a jet setting business traveler or a luxury aficionado, The Imperial is an oasis of understated elegance.

My airport pick-up arrived in time & we zipped across busy lanes to be welcomed by a smiling Bijender at the entrance. Tall, well-built & affable, it was during my small chat with him that he told be about his stint at The Imperial that has lasted 25 years! 25 years of welcoming guests with a red turban adorning him & a smile that never leaves his face!!!

I checked in to the heritage room of the Eliza wing- a distinctive stay experience for the single lady traveler located on the 3rd floor of the hotel. Thoughtful luxuries with safety as the priority are the focus here- round the clock lady assistance, In-room check in facility, special flower arrangement & exclusive linen are some of the features that aim to make your stay comfortable! The wing comprises of 12 rooms & single lady travelers get automatically enrolled in this program.

I enjoyed a cup of tea presented beautifully in silver tea service & walked around the huge high ceilinged room before resting on the comfortable bed made of Burma teak wood. A pillow menu announced the types of pillows I could opt for as per my choice- nice :)

Soon it was lunch time & I headed to the coveted "The Spice Route" restaurant that has been heralded by Condenast Traveler as one of the top ten restaurants in the world! It was like stepping in to a visual canvass that portrayed through its design the unique journey from South to South East Asia- Wicked Spoon Confessions recommends you keep some extra time here to admire the architectural story in the restaurants sensual design. I enjoyed Chemeen Toren (Kerala style stir fried prawns), Yum Mamuang- salad made with  raw mango for starters. A dish that deserves a special mention here - PLA E SAAN was a delicate play of flavors of my taste buds. Crispy fried sole fillets are served with spicy sweet plum sugar sauce topped with raw mango slivers. The main course of  Thai chicken green curry served with fragrant jasmine rice was a welcome change with just a hint of sweetness in the curry. A piping hot appam from the kitchen encouraged me to polish off the remaining curry in style!

Spice Route

Do not leave without trying signature dishes- Chemeen Thoren, Phad Thai Kung, Tom Yung Kung. Chef designed specials that vary to include fresh & seasonal produce are a must try too.

Chemeen Thoren

Chicken in Green Curry

Pla E Saan

A small siesta after lunch and I was ready to enjoy the delectable high tea at "The Atrium". My unhindered view of the humming fountain & the sky lit ceiling added to interlude being played on my culinary senses whilst enjoying the traditional English afternoon tea. This glass domed tea lounge serves one of the best high teas in the city. The impressive spread consists of warm buttered scones, tarts, tiny sandwiches, assorted pastries served with tea of your choice- Masala ( I had two cups!!), Assam, Organic, English Breakfast, Earl Grey & more.

The Atrium

I peeked into the "Patiala Peg" bar, one of the most popular bars in the city that lives upto its name & serves large measures of 75 ml of choice of tipple.

Patiala Peg

Invigorated by the tea, I walked around & gazed at the plush furnishings & historic ambiance of 1911 restaurant. Neatly divided into three luxurious dining areas- Brassiere, a majestic veranda & terrace this restaurant serves world cuisine to guests. The richly done interiors of the restaurant & the period artifacts remind you of a rich bygone era. Keep some time from your stay to look at the photographs from the colonial era that adorn the corridors of this restaurant. The restaurant is a perfect ode to 1911- a year symbolic to the history of India that witnessed New Delhi being declared as the capital of India.

1911- Bar

1911 – All Day Dining Restaurant & Verandah Lounge

All the walking around made a crave an heavenly spa treatment & off  I went to one of the largest spas in the capital for a 60 minute signature treatment located near the poolside of the hotel. Read more about my spa experience here.

Dinner beckoned me to San Gimignano- an award winning Italian restaurant with al-fresco seating (in fair weather conditions) named after a city in Tuscany. I started with a basket of warm house breads served with a chilled virgin mojito for company.

San Gimignano

My dinner started with a fresh salad made with & rocket leaves, toasted bread & sun-dried tomatoes ( on special request) tossed with home made dressing & crostini served with chicken liver pate & bell pepper relish. For mains, I tried sea bass made with white wine & served with seasonal vegetables, topped with fresh herbs! The food at San Gimignano is easy on the palate & full of flavors from produce sourced locally & imported from Italy served in relaxed romantic setting.

Clockwise: Crostini served with chicken liver pate & bell pepper relish, sea bass made with white wine & served with seasonal vegetables, topped with fresh herbs and Fresh salad made with & rocket leaves, toasted bread & sun-dried tomatoes tossed with home made dressing

The hotel also houses One Imperial Place- a stand alone business center replete with modern luxurious provides an authentic & comfortable business experience for conferences, meets & more for the savvy businessmen of today!

One Imperial Place

Next day after breakfast at 1911 restaurant veranda just a short distance away from the "Gandhi Table" & mesmerized by the etchings of Delhi Durbar on the restaurant walls, I realized that it was time to bid adieu to this majestic hotel called The Imperial. Usually home sick the next day, after I leave the Mumbai madness behind, my staycation at this iconic hotel had enveloped me in a time wrap so majestic...I wanted to savor my goodbyes!

The majestic hotel called The Imperial, located in the heart of Delhi is a treasure trove for every traveler. Relax in the spacious & luxurious rooms, dine at award winning restaurants, appreciate the original & rare art & lithographs on the walls, seat in the lush cool gardens or enjoy the heavenly spa & take back memories of your beautiful experience.