The Imperial New Delhi is a 235-room heritage 5-star hotel on Janpath, near Connaught Place and India Gate. Rooms, dining, history and booking details.
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The Imperial is a 5-star heritage hotel on Janpath in Central Delhi, with 235 rooms and suites, nine restaurants and bars, a spa and an outdoor pool, about 16 km from Delhi airport (DEL).
Live rates and availability confirmed at booking. All prices indicative — updated June 2026.
The Imperial opened in 1936 as New Delhi's first grand hotel, inaugurated by Lord Willingdon, then Viceroy of India. It was designed by architect F.B. Blomfield, an associate of Edwin Lutyens, in a blend of Art Deco, Victorian and colonial styles, and sits on land that was part of the new imperial capital then taking shape. A major restoration carried out between 1996 and 2001 brought the building back to its original form while modernising the rooms and services. The hotel is as much a museum as a place to stay: its corridors hold one of the largest private collections of colonial and post-colonial art and artefacts in Delhi, with original lithographs, engravings, prints and paintings throughout the public spaces, and guided art walks are part of the experience.
Today the property has 235 rooms and suites across nine accommodation styles, set behind a palm-lined drive on Janpath in the heart of Lutyens' Delhi. Decades of guests, from heads of state to writers and artists, have given it a place in the city's social history.
The Imperial sits on Janpath Lane, a short walk from Connaught Place (Rajiv Chowk) and within easy reach of India Gate, Jantar Mantar and the National Museum. Janpath metro station on the Violet Line is roughly 300 metres away, putting much of central Delhi within a single ride, and Rajiv Chowk — one of the busiest interchange stations on the network, linking the Blue and Yellow lines — is a short hop. Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is about 16 km away, typically a 35-minute drive depending on traffic, and the New Delhi railway station is a similar distance. The central location makes the hotel one of the most convenient bases in the city for sightseeing, shopping and the government and business districts alike.
Accommodation ranges from the entry-level Deco Rooms through Heritage Rooms and Suites to the larger Viceroy and Imperial Suites. Rooms carry period furnishings, high ceilings, parquet or marble floors and marble bathrooms, and many are hung with works from the hotel's art collection. The heritage wings preserve the 1930s proportions, while bathrooms and in-room technology have been quietly updated. Suites add separate sitting rooms, dressing areas and, in the top categories, formal dining space; butler service is available on request. The scale and detailing of the rooms, rather than a contemporary look, are the draw here.
The Imperial is known for its restaurants as much as its rooms. The Spice Route, a Southeast Asian fine-dining room set in a hand-painted pavilion that took years to complete, has long been ranked among the hotel's signature experiences and has appeared on international best-restaurant lists. 1911 Restaurant is the art-deco all-day brasserie serving Indo-European food, while San Gimignano offers Italian cuisine, often in a garden setting, and Daniell's Tavern draws on the cuisines of the old spice and trade routes. The Atrium tea lounge serves a well-regarded afternoon tea and patisserie, and the Patiala Peg bar — named after the famously large measure — is a long-standing watering hole. In all, the hotel runs nine restaurants and bars.
Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool set among the lawns, The Imperial Spa and salon, a fitness centre, a boutique shopping arcade and full concierge and business services. The landscaped grounds, palm avenue and heritage interiors are a draw in their own right, and the hotel is a popular spot for high tea and photography even among non-residents. Service is traditional and attentive, in keeping with the property's history, and the public spaces double as an informal gallery of Delhi's colonial-era art.
The Imperial has three function and banquet rooms alongside its lawns and courtyards, used for conferences, private dinners and intimate weddings. The combination of central location, heritage setting and established catering makes it a regular choice for diplomatic receptions and corporate events, as well as smaller celebrations that benefit from the period backdrop. Capacities suit boardroom meetings through to lawn functions, and the events team handles bespoke arrangements, menus and décor.
The hotel's Janpath address places it among Delhi's best-known landmarks. Connaught Place, with its Georgian colonnades, shops and restaurants, is under a kilometre away. India Gate and the central vista, Jantar Mantar, the National Museum and the boutiques of Khan Market are all a short drive. The Janpath market and the state emporiums on Baba Kharak Singh Marg are within walking distance for handicrafts, textiles and souvenirs, while the galleries and gardens of central Delhi are close enough for an afternoon on foot.
The Imperial suits travellers who want a sense of Delhi's history without sacrificing a central location — heritage and architecture enthusiasts, guests visiting Connaught Place and the government district, and anyone after special-occasion dining. It is equally well placed for business and diplomatic visitors who need to be close to the centre, and for first-time visitors who want landmarks within reach. Those seeking a modern resort-style property with extensive grounds, in-room pools or very large spa facilities may prefer a newer hotel, but for character, address and a living connection to the city's past, the Imperial is hard to match.
| Room | What you get |
|---|---|
| Deco Room | Art Deco-styled entry rooms with period furnishings, marble bathrooms and views over the hotel's gardens or courtyard. |
| The Imperial Room | Larger rooms in the main heritage wing with high ceilings and colonial-era detailing, suited to longer stays. |
| Heritage Room | Rooms set among the hotel's original 1930s architecture, hung with prints from the in-house art collection. |
| Heritage Suite | Separate sitting room and bedroom with classic decor, walk-in dressing area and butler service on request. |
| Viceroy Suite | Among the hotel's most spacious accommodation, with a formal living room, dining space and garden views. |
| Outlet | Cuisine / type |
|---|---|
| The Spice Route | Southeast Asian fine dining |
| 1911 Restaurant | Indo-European brasserie, all-day dining |
| San Gimignano | Italian |
| Daniell's Tavern | Indian and colonial-route cuisine |
| The Atrium | Tea lounge and patisserie |
| Patiala Peg | Bar |
| Landmark | Distance | Approx. on foot |
|---|---|---|
| Connaught Place (Rajiv Chowk) | 0.8 km | ~10 min walk |
| India Gate | 2.5 km | ~30 min walk |
| Jantar Mantar | 0.6 km | ~7 min walk |
| Rashtrapati Bhavan | 3.2 km | short taxi/auto |
| Khan Market | 3 km | short taxi/auto |
| National Museum | 2.2 km | ~26 min walk |
| Agrasen ki Baoli | 1.5 km | ~18 min walk |
Distances are straight-line estimates; walking times assume roughly 12 minutes per km. Confirm routes locally.
On Janpath Lane in Connaught Place, Central Delhi (110001), a short walk from Rajiv Chowk and about 2.5 km from India Gate.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is roughly 16 km away, typically a 35-minute drive depending on traffic.
Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out is at 12:00 noon. Early check-in or late check-out may be possible on request, subject to availability.
The hotel has 235 rooms and suites across nine accommodation styles, set within its restored 1936 building.
The Spice Route (Southeast Asian), 1911 brasserie, San Gimignano (Italian) and Daniell's Tavern, plus the Atrium tea lounge and the Patiala Peg bar.
Yes — Janpath station on the Violet Line is about 300 metres away, and Rajiv Chowk interchange is a short ride or walk.