The Lalit New Delhi

From the outside, The Lalit looks grand -- and indeed lives up to that first impression -- with pale-red sandstone exteriors and the type of simple manicured lawns typically found in business parks. Inside, the lobby has a bit more contemporary personality, with high atrium-style ceilings, cream-and-white marble floors, and multiple seating areas with red and brown sofas and chairs. Bright modern art pieces and sculptures add color and warmth to the space, and more paintings and sculptures can be found throughout the hotel, both in the wide, airy marble hallways and in the on-site art gallery. The style is sober throughout the hotel, but has just enough dazzle to draw some of the domestic and international jet set as well. Each of the restaurants, conversely, has its own look and feel; for example, WOKS, the pan-Asian restaurant, features tatami ceilings, East-Asian statues, and bamboo detailing that gives it a Sino-Japanese vibe, while Balluchi has dark, modern decor with wood-paneled ceilings and marbled tables and accent columns. While a sizable number of guests here are business travelers, the hotel also attracts tourists with its central location and numerous features and facilities. 

The Lalit is located in the popular shopping and dining area of Connaught Place, right next to the Barakhamba Metro Station and about 10 minutes to Rajiv Chowk, a main metro interchange underneath Connaught Place. There are plenty of internationally recognizable stores in the area, as well as a number of swank eateries with popular rooftops and terraces. It's a 20-minute walk to to Jantar Mantar, a collection of ancient astronomical instruments, while getting to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi's best-known Sikh temple, takes about 10 minutes to reach by rickshaw. India Gate or New Delhi Train Station are a five- to 10-minute drive from the hotel, and it's a 15-minute drive to Humayan's Tomb, one of the city's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The sprawling Lodhi Gardens, full of Lodhi-era tombs and meandering paths, is also around a 15-minute drive away. Old Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi's bustling market area -- Chandni Chowk -- are both about 15 minutes away by car. South Delhi attractions such as the Lotus Temple and the Qutub Minar also take about 25 minutes by car to reach, but the journey can be much longer depending on traffic. Indira Gandhi International Airport is about half an hour away by car without traffic, but can take significantly longer during peak hours.

The Lalit offers a wide range of room options, from entry-level Deluxe Rooms up to large, multi-room Luxury Suites. Deluxe, Premier, and Executive Club Rooms have at least 432-square-foot floor plans (around 40 square meters), so even lower category rooms have plenty of space. The look is an extension of the sober, handsome style found in the hotel's public areas. There's an overall business vibe, but rooms sharp and contemporary nonetheless, with an abundance of pleasing soft tones like tan, gray, and mauve. Flooring is either hardwood or polished marble, and furniture all has sleek, clean lines. Decorative flourishes are minimal, with just a few bold patterns deployed here and there, or the occasional piece of modern wall art or sculpture.All rooms have large flat-screen TVs with DVD players, plus minibars, safes, and electric kettles for making tea and instant coffee. Executive Club Rooms offer perks such as free Wi-Fi and free access to the Lalit Legacy Lounge. Luxury Rooms also offer lounge access and add a bit more space. Suites start at around 800 square feet (74 square meters) and all include lounge access and have separate bedrooms and living rooms. Bathrooms are spacious and done in cream-colored marble, with huge walk-in rainfall showers, plus all the typical accoutrements found in high-end hotels, including make-up mirrors, robes, slippers, and hairdryers. Bathrooms in the Executive and Luxury Suites as well as in the Lalit Legacy (Presidential) Suite also have separate soaking tubs.

The Lalit has lots of amenities aimed at business travelers and tourists alike. Rejuve - The Spa features a range of western and traditional Indian/Ayurvedic massages and treatments ranging from Ramarind and Cane Sugar Scrubs to Balinese massages. There's also a salon offering haircare and mani/pedis. Other wellness facilities include a large 24-hour fitness center with all sorts of cardio and weight-training machines along with free weights and a yoga studio. The hotel's rooftop pool is pleasant and good for swimming laps -- if not particularly big -- and is flanked by lounge chairs and shaded sun beds. The hotel also has a large art gallery -- Art Junction -- with a steady rotation of curated exhibits by painters, sculptors, and photographers. There are also a few gift shops on the property selling everything from books to silk carpets.The Lalit offers a huge range of on-site dining and drinking options and is home to Kitty Su, one of Delhi's top upscale nightclubs, an over-the-top multi-room space with regular DJ nights and all sorts of fine liquors, wines, and champagnes. Balluchi serves Indian cuisine at lunch and dinner and has a wine cellar with a wide selection of international bottles. Also open for lunch and dinner, WOKS serves an a la carte menu of pan-Asian fare, while the 28th-story Grill Room specializes in meats and seafood and features panoramic city views. For lighter fare, Le Petit Cafe serves coffee and tea with French pastries, while 24/7 Pastry Shop on the lobby level offers breads, cakes, and sweet pies (however, despite the name, its only open from late morning until late evening). However, both 24/7 Restaurant and the adjacent 24/7 Bar are open 24 hours; the former offers huge buffets at breakfast, lunch, and dinner plus a la carte options the rest of the time. 24-hour room service is also available. For business travelers, The Lalit offers a range of meeting and event spaces including the large, pillarless Crystal Ballroom, two large banquet halls, four meeting rooms, and a Plaza Terrace Garden for outdoor functions. There's also a 24-hour business center with printing and secretarial assistance. The 24-hour concierge desk can arrange for car rentals, transportation, and babysitting, among other services. Guests staying in Executive Club Rooms, Luxury Rooms, and suites also get free Wi-Fi as well as access to the Lalit Legacy Lounge, which offers a free breakfast service and evening cocktails. Travelers in Deluxe and Premier Rooms have to pay extra for in-room Wi-Fi, but can use it for free in some of the cafes and restaurants.