The Imperial, Delhi, India

While Lutyens was busy laying out the impressive government buildings of New Delhi, his associate Bromfield created the plans for The Imperial, a world class luxury hotel. Opened in 1931 by the Vicereine, Lady Willingdon, now totally refurbished, this five star luxury hotel easily merits its title of First of the Four Maidens of the East. Half an hour from the airport, the luxury hotel’s liveried 4x4 drives between 24 king palms to the striking white art deco building in an eight-acre oasis in the commercial centre of the city.

The facilities

What sets the Imperial apart from Asia’s finest luxury hotels? Without doubt the fabulous, museum-quality 2,500-piece art and antique collection which decorates every public area, room, suite and corridor of the luxury hotel. There are sculptures, oils, watercolours, engravings, lithographs, and photographs illustrating the history of India from the British arrival to departure in 1947. The luxury hotel is a glorious, successful mixture of Victorian, Indian Colonial and Thirties Deco. The marble inlay work in floors, in both public and private rooms, displays the tradition of craftsmanship and quality in its refurbishment.

There is also a spa which opened in 2005, offering a series of therapies to guests. The Business Centre staff are charming and helpful though the room-based internet connection is frustrating to use. The location is good both for business and tourist excursions for which the luxury hotel's Travel Centre is useful.

The rooms

There are 188 rooms and 44 suites in four wings which span out from the centre into gardens. They range from Standard to Heritage rooms, Lutyens Suites to the Presidential Suite. Every room has fresh filtered air on hourly replacement, internet access, original art, marble bathroom and good furniture. Heritage rooms are larger, with parquet flooring, dressing rooms, and excellent showers. The suites are lavish, some with individual private terraces.