The Imperial New Delhi — Indian Hospitality Magazine
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The Imperial New Delhi

Janpath's 1936 art deco masterpiece — where Lutyens' Delhi meets colonial-era grandeur

T

Blomfield family (architectural commission)

Founder · Est. 1936 · Janpath, Connaught Place, Delhi NCR

The Imperial opened in 1936 on Janpath — originally known as Queensway — as the grand hotel of Sir Edwin Lutyens' newly built capital. The hotel was designed in the Art Deco style with colonial-classical influences, creating an architectural statement that stood at the centre of the new Imperial capital. Its palm-lined driveway, the columned portico, and the art collection within its corridors make it one of India's most significant hotel buildings.

Over eighty-eight years, The Imperial has hosted the negotiations surrounding India's Independence — the meetings, drafts, and discussions that led to the transfer of power took place within its walls. The hotel's art collection — original lithographs, paintings, and sculptures — is museum-grade and displayed throughout the property.

The dining programme is individually significant: 1911 (the brasserie named for the Delhi Durbar year), Spice Route (the Asian restaurant designed with murals by Southeast Asian artisans), San Gimignano (Italian), and Daniell's Tavern (the bar that references Thomas Daniell's Indian paintings). Each venue is architecturally distinct.

The Imperial New Delhi — additional image

“This hotel witnessed Independence. It houses art that belongs in museums. It sits on Lutyens' axis. We maintain all three.”

What Defines The Imperial New Delhi

1911 Restaurant— The brasserie named for the Delhi Durbar — the year Delhi was declared the new capital. Colonial-era atmosphere with contemporary service.
Spice Route— The Asian restaurant decorated over seven years by Southeast Asian artisans — the murals alone are worth the visit.
The Art Collection— Museum-grade paintings and lithographs displayed in public corridors — the hotel doubles as a gallery.
Heritage Suites— The rooms that maintain the 1936 Art Deco character — original architectural details preserved.
The Atrium— The central public space — a lobby that operates as a living room for Lutyens' Delhi.

The Experience

The palm-lined driveway. The Deco façade. The corridor art that stops you mid-walk. The Imperial does not rush — it unfolds. The lobby is a social space; the restaurants are destinations; the suites are period architecture maintained at five-star standards. Every corner of the hotel references a specific moment in Delhi's history.

Rated & Reviewed By

Condé Nast Traveller Gold List · Travel + Leisure World's Best · Forbes Travel Guide · TripAdvisor Hall of Fame

Editorial Notes

  • The Imperial is the most historically significant hotel in Delhi — its connection to Independence-era events is documented.
  • The art collection — accessible to all guests and visitors — is a reason to visit independent of any meal or stay.
  • The Janpath/Connaught Place location places the hotel at the centre of Lutyens' Delhi.
  • Mandatory curriculum reference for hospitality students studying heritage hotel preservation and hotel-as-cultural-institution.

Getting There

Nearest Metro: Janpath (Violet Line, 2-minute walk). By road: Janpath, near Connaught Place.