Picolo recommends · Hotel in New Delhi, India
The Imperial New Delhi
Behind the palms on Janpath, an art deco hotel from 1931 where the corridors are lined with old prints and the tea comes in silver.
The traffic on Janpath fades as soon as you pass the palms in the driveway. The Imperial has stood here since 1931, and the walls are hung with paintings and prints from the colonial era.
Connaught Place, the white colonnaded circle at the centre of New Delhi, is a few minutes on foot. So are the stalls of Janpath market, which makes the hotel an easy base for exploring.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose The Imperial New Delhi
This is our first choice in Delhi. Few hotels in the city combine this much history with such a central address, and the garden and pool give you somewhere to retreat when the streets get too much.
It is an old building, and it shows in places. Some rooms are darker than in modern hotels, so if light and contemporary design matter most, The Leela Palace is the better fit.
What you get
- Palm garden
- Pool with patterned tiles
- Afternoon tea in the lounge
- Restaurants in the hotel
- Classic service
A day at The Imperial New Delhi
- Morning
- A slow breakfast with the garden as the backdrop.
- Midday
- A walk around Connaught Place before the heat builds.
- Afternoon
- Tea in the lounge while the city rushes past outside.
- Evening
- Shopping at Janpath market as the lights come on.
Location
Janpath, New Delhi, India
Open in MapsQuestions about The Imperial New Delhi
Where is The Imperial New Delhi?
On Janpath in central New Delhi, close to Connaught Place. Many sights and markets are within walking distance or a short drive.
Is The Imperial New Delhi worth it?
For history and location, yes. The art collection and the garden give it a character newer hotels lack, but some rooms are dim.
Does The Imperial New Delhi have a pool?
Yes, there is an outdoor pool with patterned tiles, set within the hotel grounds and a welcome break from the city.
Other hotels nearby
The Leela Palace New Delhi
For marble, a rooftop pool and the calm of the embassy district.
Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
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