Review of Maidens Hotel, by Shelley Seale

Stepping into the Maidens Hotel is like stepping back in time. From your arrival through the gates of the stately white manse, the bustle of Delhi seems to fall behind. A heritage hotel since 1903, Maidens is one of Delhi's oldest, and offers guests classic hospitality along with architectural elegance.

The facilities

Breakfast is served in a simple sunroom with adjacent terrace and garden, allowing guests to sit indoors or out. For lunch or dinner, The Curzon Room serves up a selection of European and Indian cuisine. Named after the British Lord Curzon, the walls are adorned with over 100 black-and-white photographs that take you on a nostalgic trip of the Raj in India in the early 1900s. The adjacent Cavalry Bar is small and intimate, serving a selection of cocktails and beverages to order.

Maidens Hotel is perfect for meetings, conferences and business groups, with modern audio-visual facilities and a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 200 people. The open-air garden and terrace is also available for groups, accommodating up to 1,000, and is a popular spot for weddings. A swimming pool and tennis court set among the landscaping give guests additional recreation.

The rooms

Rooms offer an old-world charm with modern conveniences. Complimentary mineral water, cookies and fruit baskets greet guests upon arrival. All rooms are centrally air conditioned with individual room temperature control along with facilities like minibar, 24-hour satellite television, direct dial telephones and wireless internet.

Cool marble floors, high ceilings, sumptuous bathrooms and stylish furnishings make for a wonderfully relaxing place to return after a long day of sightseeing. The rooms are spacious, with plush beds and luxury linens. Bathrooms are large, with good lighting and a selection of luxury toiletries.