If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be royalty, then the Lodhi Hotel in New Delhi is the place (or palace?) for you. This luxury boutique hotel in India’s capital city may be modern in design, but it is old-world in terms of its approach to outstanding customer service.
The Lodhi Hotel
On its website, the Lodhi describes its ethos as “simple and easy luxury”; but you won’t find the casual, chummy vibe that has come to define customer service at hotels in North America and elsewhere. At the Lodhi, an attentive and deferential style is taken toward its clientele. From the spa services to the room service to the laundry service, no need goes unmet. And this personal attention begins even before one sets foot on the property – a friendly Lodhi attendant greets guests arriving at Indira Ghandi International Airport (located approximately 40 minutes away from the hotel).
Each room has a plunge pool on the balcony
The hotel’s expansive premises make for a luxurious, five-start retreat. A former Aman property – a line of boutique hotels known for their Zen feel – the Lodhi continues in this same vein, offering peace and tranquility in a city whose chaotic street traffic can easily throw newcomers into a tizzy. There are seven floors of guest accommodations but only 40 rooms in total, so at times one feels like the only occupant in this palatial sprawl. The apartment-sized suites (at least by Toronto real estate standards) are also something to behold. The beds are enormous, as are the lounge chairs and couches; there is a separate soaking tub and shower and ample closet space. There is also an outdoor plunge pool on each balcony for those who feel like taking a late night or early morning dip.
But as tempting as it may be to want to ensconce oneself in your hotel room, particularly after a bustling day-trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, a stroll through the Lodhi Gardens or an afternoon shopping at Central Delhi’s Khan Market, one would be remiss to skip the Lodhi’s public spaces.
For starters, the Elan restaurant offers a wide-range of local and international cuisine, including regional Indian, Mediterranean and South East Asian dishes. The restaurant shines most when focusing on local cuisine dishes. Elan’s innovative combination of ingredients make for a unique twist (I especially enjoyed the paneer kurchan kathi rolls and the yellow dal tadka). But there are European and North American favourites as well – pancakes will hit the spot at breakfast (but request extra maple syrup to make them Canadian-style). Like other areas of the hotel, the wait staff at the restaurant are friendly and attentive.
Elsewhere on the property, there is a fitness room and spa (with separate Hamman spas for men and women); a garden and courtyard with an outdoor pool (beautifully lit at night); an art gallery with revolving exhibits and installation pieces (some of which are for sale to the general public); a beverage lounge as well as a library and cigar lounge(!), all of which add to the vibrant atmosphere that is elegant, enjoyable and truly fit for a king or queen.
Lynn was a guest of the Lodhi in November, 2015. Photos are provided courtesy of the hotel, except photo of the Taj Mahal is courtesy Lisa Rosenblatt. Toronto luxury tour provider, Footprints Travel organizes customized trips to the Taj Mahal.
