"Since it first opened in 1965, the Oberoi’s been a de facto clubhouse for Delhi’s who’s who. The capital’s most beloved hotel is fit for modern-day mughals and moguls alike. An extensive two-year refurb by Adam D. Tihany has left it thoroughly refreshed, but one thing is resolutely the same: Oberoi’s signature fit-for-a-queen service. Stepping inside is arresting—not only because of the jewel-encrusted screen that anchors the lobby but also because the hotel has a purification system that promises the cleanest air in the city. Tihany took subtle cues from the work of Sir Edwin Lutyens, the architect behind the layout of modern New Delhi. The 220 rooms are generously sized—taking a gamble by reducing the count from 283 paid off—and details like gilt-edged Art Deco touches and sprawling stand-alone bathtubs are suitably ornate. But what will ensure that Delhiites keep returning to celebrate engagements, host reunions, or just because it’s Saturday, are the restaurants and bars: Beloved 360 is better than ever, while newly added Omya and Chinese restaurant Baoshuan are both run by chefs with Michelin-starred spots in London. The magnificent landmark is restored as the pulse point of the city. Doubles from about $360." - CNT Editors
