The Imperial

Overview

About this property

The Imperial is Delhi's most famous heritage hotel. It has stood on Janpath, in Connaught Place, since 1936. It was New Delhi's first grand hotel, and it still looks the part today: a big white building with palms, gardens and a calm that is hard to find in the middle of Delhi.

The hotel sits on an eight-acre estate. Its architecture mixes Victorian, Art Deco and Lutyens' styles, as the hotel's own site says. Inside, the rooms are grand and old-style, with high ceilings and classic furniture. Nothing here feels modern for the sake of it. Everything feels settled and well kept.

The Imperial suits people who like history and quiet luxury. It is in the centre of Delhi, so Connaught Place, India Gate and the main markets are easy to reach. At the same time, the estate itself is quiet, with gardens and courtyards that shut out the city noise.

This is not a budget hotel, and it does not try to be one. It is for people who want a special stay in Delhi, with strong service, good food and a building that has real history. If you like old hotels with character, you will like it here.

At a glance

What you get here

Everything above is taken from the hotel's own website. If something is not listed here, it means we could not confirm it from the official site, so we have not written it.

Rooms

Rooms made for rest

The rooms at The Imperial come in several styles, as listed on the hotel's own site: Deco Rooms, Imperial Rooms, Heritage Rooms and Grand Heritage Rooms, plus suites like the Heritage Suite, Deco Suite, Viceroy Suite and Luxury Suite. They are individually decorated, with classic furniture, high ceilings and marble bathrooms.

Suites go further, with separate living areas and four-poster beds in some categories. If you want a particular room style, ask the hotel when you book, as each category feels different.

The rooms are quiet, which matters in central Delhi. After a day out in the city, you come back to a cool, calm room, and that rest is part of what you pay for here.

Room types and prices change with the season, so the hotel's own website will have the latest list. We do not show prices here because they change often, and we do not want to show you an old price.

Food & drink

Where to eat

There are three restaurants named on the hotel's own site: 1911 Restaurant, San Gimignano and The Spice Route. 1911 is the classic restaurant of the hotel. San Gimignano serves Italian food, as the hotel's site says. The Spice Route is the hotel's famous Asian restaurant, and it is the one most people talk about after a stay here.

For drinks, there are bars on site, including Patiala Peg. An evening drink here, after a day of sightseeing, is a good way to end the day. The bars are calm and old-style, which suits the hotel well.

If you are staying for one night only, try to have at least one meal inside the hotel. The dining rooms here are part of the experience, not just a place to eat. The food and the setting together are why people remember meals at The Imperial.

Things to do

A slow day at the hotel

A good day at The Imperial starts slow. Take a walk in the gardens of the estate in the morning, when it is cool and quiet. Then breakfast, and out into Delhi for the sights. Connaught Place is right there, and India Gate, the museums and Old Delhi are all easy to reach by taxi.

In the afternoon, come back to the hotel and rest. The estate is quiet, so an afternoon here feels like a break from the city, even though you are right in the middle of it.

In the evening, a drink at one of the bars, then dinner at 1911, San Gimignano or The Spice Route. After dinner, a short walk in the gardens before bed is a good way to end the day.

If you are here for work, the hotel's meeting spaces are there for your meetings, and the central location means you can reach most business districts without a long drive. If you are here with family, the gardens give children open space, and the rooms give everyone room to spread out.

Amenities

Most popular amenities

These are the amenities confirmed on the hotel's own website. Anything not listed here means we could not confirm it from the official site, so we have not written it.

Location

Where it is, and what is near

Delhi is the capital of India, and it is a very big city. The hotels on this page are in central Delhi, near Connaught Place and Janpath. From here, the main sights of New Delhi are easy to reach by taxi.

If this is your first time in Delhi, these are the places most people visit: India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple, and the markets of Connaught Place and Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. You do not need to see all of them in one day. Pick two or three, and keep the rest for your next visit.

We have not written distances here on purpose. Delhi traffic changes travel time a lot through the day, so a fixed number would go out of date fast. Ask your driver for the time on the day you travel.

Connaught Place itself is worth a slow evening. It has shops, restaurants and cafes all around its circles, and it is a good place to walk, eat and shop without going far from your hotel.

Getting here

How to reach the hotel

Most guests reach Delhi by flight or train first. The airport is Indira Gandhi International Airport, and the main railway station is New Delhi Railway Station. From either one, a taxi takes you to your hotel in central Delhi.

Keep your hotel's name and address ready on your phone, and share it with your driver before you start. That avoids confusion at the end of a long journey, especially if you arrive late at night.

One practical tip: Delhi traffic is heavy in the morning and evening. If you have a flight or train to catch, leave early and keep extra time in hand. It is better to reach early and wait than to rush through traffic.

Best time

Best time to visit Delhi

The best time to visit Delhi is from October to March. The weather is cool and pleasant, and you can walk around the sights without getting tired fast. This is also the time when most tourists come, so hotels get full early. If you plan to come in these months, book your hotel a few weeks ahead.

April to June is very hot in Delhi. If you come in summer, plan your sightseeing for the morning and evening, and rest in the afternoon. The gardens and museums are still good in the early morning, before the heat builds up.

July to September brings rain. The city looks green and fresh, and there are fewer tourists. Roads can get wet, so keep some extra time for travel. For a quiet trip at a lower rush, the rainy season is actually a good choice.

Good to know

Before you book

Cheapcab does not book hotels. You book a hotel on its own official website, using the button on this page. Prices, room types, check-in time and cancellation rules are all on the hotel's site, and they change with the season. Always read them there before you pay.

The photos on this page are from the hotel's official website, and the source link is given under the photo gallery. We do not use photos from booking sites or stock photo sites for hotels.

If you need a taxi for an outstation trip from Delhi, you can book it from Cheapcab. The taxi fare and the hotel stay are separate. Your taxi driver will not charge you for the hotel, and the hotel will not charge you for the taxi.

One last practical tip for Delhi: carry a water bottle and wear comfortable shoes, as the sights involve a lot of walking and the days get hot. Keep your hotel's name and address saved on your phone, so any taxi driver can take you back without confusion. Small shops in the markets often prefer cash, so keep some small notes handy along with your card.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions