The Oberoi, New Delhi

"Set the scene for us.A gleaming black-and-white lobby floor you could skate across, a beautiful art installation studded with semi-precious stones, boutique shops for browsing silks and jewels. Bursts of red, pink, and peacock-blue fabrics; Italian marble, hand-crafted rugs, and the soft, manicured greens of surrounding lawns. Delhi’s grande dame is back and everyone’s returning to see how it’s changed. Take a gulp of air—thanks to a purification system, it’s cleaner here than anywhere else in the city. What’s the story behind it?The Oberoi New Delhi opened in 1965, and for five decades it’s been the most beloved hotel in the Oberoi portfolio, and something of an institution in Delhi—its Tabela club became a go-to after-hours destination. There are so many illustrious names in its guestbook that rather than name them, it would be easier to assume that if someone of note passed through the city, they stayed here. So it was quite a shock when the group shuttered the hotel for a two-year renovation. When they reopened in January 2018, it was with a lighter, roomier feel courtesy of ace designer Adam Tihany (Le Cirque, Apsley’s, Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas)—whose design was inspired by another local icon, Edwin Lutyens, the man behind the layout of modern New Delhi. What can we expect from our room?Ours was a deluxe suite, with a spacious living room and study with views of Humayun's Tomb, and a bedroom and bathroom overlooking the golf course. You're overlooking so much greenery that it's easy to forget you're in the heart of Delhi. Furniture and details have an Art Deco slant. The tech is great—the in-room iPads have the Oberoi Enhance platform, which lets you do everything from order room service to pillows—and when it arrives at your room, you can see who's at your door from the camera and tap a button to let them in. How about the food and drink?The restaurants are what made the hotel a destination for Delhi's elite—and some old favorites have returned along with some intriguing new additions. The 360 restaurant/bar has had a sleek new update, and a breakfast menu that hops from Indian to European to Asian dishes. Brilliant London chef Andrew Wong (of Michelin-starred A Wong) curated the menu at the Baoshuan Chinese restaurant, while Tamarind chef Alfred Prasad is behind Omya, for smart Indian plates. And the new rooftop bar, Cirrus 9, is giving 360 a run for its money as a rendezvous point for local movers and shakers. Anything to say about the service?The Oberoi is known for its service—everyone was helpful and everything was flawless, but it never felt cloying or over-the-top. Who comes here?The power set. Justin Trudeau was arriving when we stayed. If anyone of any influence is in town, there's a good chance you'll run into them in the lobby. But it also attracts a who's-who of Delhi society, from impeccably turned out grande dames and industrialists closing deals to fashion designers. How does it fit into its neighborhood?It's centrally located in a great part of Delhi—right next to sights such as Humayun's Tomb, Sunder Nursery, and Nizamuddin, and it’s an easy drive to Connaught Place. The sights of Old Delhi are a bit farther, but still straightforward to access. Is there anything we missed?The spa and gym are great, and the hotel offers free yoga. During the renovation the pool was moved from a central location in front of the hotel to a more secluded area, which makes for more privacy. Is it worth it—and why?Definitely. You're staying in a landmark hotel for the city and are likely to brush shoulders with some fascinating people—and the location and service help maximize every minute of your time in Delhi." - Sarah Khan

"New Delhi’s first modern business and luxury hotel, built in 1965, is a contemporary white box amid a sea of greenery. After a $100 million makeover overseen by starchitect Adam Tihany, The Oberoi now has 220 large rooms inspired by Sir Edwin Lutyens’s original plans for the city, with peacock-blue accents, spacious bathtubs, and super fast WiFi. Beloved restaurant threesixty˚ maintains its see-and-be-seen status thanks to its airier layout, and a new rooftop bar has become the go-to cocktail spot on warm-weather days. But the enthusiastic, attentive staff remains unchanged, earning adoration from repeat guests who appreciate the brand’s reliable and faultless service. Indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, proximity to a large golf course, and the convenient location just south of Delhi Gate make this hotel a great place to relax at the beginning or end of a countrywide tour."

"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