ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New Delhi

Though the ITC Maurya looks fairly bog standard from the outside, with terraced tan exteriors and a small fountain at the front, the gorgeous lobby creates a different impression all together. The ceiling is a work of art -- literally -- with a mural painted across multiple panels and domes and multiple stained-glass pieces from the celebrated M.F. Hussain. There's a seating area below with multiple plush chairs and sofas, and a few nooks with small statues. More large paintings adorn the walls and common areas, which are dominated by polished marble floors. Outside, there's a large grassy lawn flanked by topiary and statues. Most guests here are business travelers needing easy access to the nearby Diplomatic Enclave in the Chanakyapuri neighborhood, though the relatively central location makes it a reasonable option for tourists, too.

The ITC Maurya is located in Chanakyapuri, Delhi's Diplomatic Enclave and home to most of the city's embassies -- the U.S. Embassy is only a five-minute drive away. There's not much within walking distance besides embassies, mansions, and other hotels, but the area is reasonably well-connected by road, and the Dhuala Kuan Metro Station, which connects to both the airport and the center of the city, is a five- to 10-minute drive away. Old Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi's bustling market area -- Chandni Chowk -- are both a half-hour or so away by car, while Connaught Place, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and Jantar Mantar, can be reached in about 15 minutes to 20 minutes.  New Delhi Railway Station takes 20 to 25 minutes to reach by car. Factor in about 15 minutes by car to India Gate or 20 to 25 minutes for Humayun's Tomb. South Delhi attractions such as the Lotus Temple and the Qutub Minar can take half an hour or longer to reach depending on traffic. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is about 25 minutes away by car. 

The ITC Maurya offers a variety of rooms spread across multiple parts of the hotel. The Towers, the Maurya's "hotel within a hotel," serves as an executive area, with boardrooms, a private Towers Club, and its own Library Bar. The Towers also has is own floor reserved only for women, the EVA Floor (the idea is that some female solo travelers might feel safer with such an arrangement). There's also an Executive Club area with Smart Rooms, complete with additional high-tech equipment aimed at business travelers. Connecting rooms, accessible rooms, and allergy-friendly rooms with air filters and special cleaning methods are also available. 

All rooms have tea- and coffee-making facilities, minibars, safes, and flat-screen TVs. Cribs and rollaway beds are available on request. Room decor varies a bit, and some have white walls while others have wood paneling. Color schemes vary, too. Contemporary touches include padded headboards, plus dark-wood and silver-colored furniture and soft upholstered chairs. Bathrooms are dominated by marble, with toiletries, makeup mirrors, and robes, and some of the higher-end rooms have large walk-in showers with ceiling-mounted rainfall showerheads plus separate soaking tubs; smaller entry-level units just have shower/tub combos.

The ITC's best-known feature is Bukhara, often touted as one of Bill Clinton's favorite restaurants. Specializing in Northwest Frontier Cuisine originating from the Pakistan-Afganistan border region, Bukhara offers an upscale take on traditional dining, with low booth and stool seating and an eat-with-your-hands tradition (cutlery is available upon request). Guests can choose from a vegetarian or non-vegetarian menu of kebabs, rich curry dishes, and heavy breads followed by impressive desserts. It's expensive, and you really need to come here with an appetite, but foodies will likely find the experience worth the cost and calories. 

For something more upscale, Dum Pukht is open only for dinner and uses a slow-cooking method in which cuisine is fire-cooked in sealed earthenware pots. The restaurant is elegant, with rooms divided by elaborate arches, chandeliers, and large rugs covering the floor. Also open for dinner, West View offers a wide range of Italian food, including pizzas and gelato, and hosts regular live entertainment. There are also a couple of 24-hour options, namely the poolside Uppercrust plus The Pavilion, with a more casual vibe and a wider variety of food, including buffets at mealtimes. Room service is available around the clock. The Golf Bar offers a wide selection of beverages -- including rare Scotch -- along with lighter eats.

The hotel has an excellent fitness center with modern LifeFitness-brand cardio and weight-training equipment, including free weights. There's also a pool with beautiful multihued turquoise tiling, but the area around it is a bit small for copious lounging. However, the hotel's main draw for many (besides the excellent restaurants) is its large amount of business space -- 11 rooms in total -- including seven boardrooms for up to 15 guests. There's also a business center. The hotel levies a fee for Wi-Fi, though it's waved for SPG reward club members who book on a Starwood website. While the property is definitely more geared toward business travelers, there are services for tourists -- such as tour booking -- and families can arrange for babysitting.