The Leela Palace New Delhi

The five-pearl Leela Palace is easily one of the sharpest luxury hotels in New Delhi. While some of the competition often takes a sober approach to decor -- or simply looks in need of a modernizing overhaul -- the Leela Palace is elegant and polished, with just enough contemporary edge. The hotel looks grand and elegant from the outside, with sandstone exteriors typically found throughout Delhi, plus modern blue-tinted windows and nods to traditional Indian architecture in the form of jhalis -- carved stone screens -- over the main entryway sign, a few arched windows, and a couple of arched cupolas on either side of the rooftop pool. 

The main entryway has an awning supported by four pillars sculpted to look like elephants. The lobby and hallways are grand and include intricately carved tables and high-backed chairs, heavy curtains and cushions with gold brocade, and wall sconces -- all of which combine to give the public areas a slight Louis XIV vibe. Stark white walls, black wrought-iron railings, and a few modern geometric decorative elements including mirrored side tables and black-and-cream square-patterned marble floors. The grounds are contrastingly simple, with landscaped flowers and low hedges around a partially shaded grass lawn presided over by a giant Buddha. This hotel has broad appeal, attracting both business travelers -- including international delegates who need easy access to the nearby Diplomatic Enclave -- and big-budget tourists.

The Leela Palace is located in South Delhi, on the edge of Chanakyapuri, also known as the Diplomatic Enclave, as its where most of the capital's international embassies are located. It's a little far to walk to the nearest metro at INA Market, but the station can be reached in under 10 minutes by car or autorickshaw. Otherwise, it's a 10-minute walk drive to Sarojini Nagar, a lively market area with heavily discounted women's fashion from around the world (including lots of factory seconds). The hip Hauz Khas Village -- with lots of shops, bars, and restaurants -- is just over a 15-minute drive away, and it will take 20 minutes by car to reach the shopping and dining of Connaught Place.

Delhi has its share of historic sights as well. It will take just less than 20 minutes to reach both India Gate and Jantar Mantar, a collection of ancient astronomical instruments. Getting to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi's best-known Sikh temple, is also a 20-minute drive. The UNESCO World Heritage Qutub Minar is a 20-minute drive from the hotel without traffic, and Humayan's Tomb, also a UNESCO site, takes around the same amount of time to reach, but is in the opposite direction. The Red Fort is a 20-minute drive away as well, at the edge of Old Delhi, a bustling area of town home to a major railway hub and the ever chaotic markets along Chandni Chowk. It will take 20- to 25 minutes to reach New Delhi Railway Station by cab, and Indira Gandhi International Airport is about 25 minutes away by car without traffic. Traffic in Delhi can be abysmal, though, so always budget extra time for travel.

The Leela Palace features a total of 236 rooms and 18 suites, all with similarly opulent decor. Most rooms have large floral-pattered area rugs over polished off-white marble floors, two-poster beds accented with gold-tone throw cushions and runners, black and gold furniture, and elegant velvet upholstery offset by red-and-gold cushions. The effect is lovely, and sets this hotel far above some of the more simple and dated luxury options that are often found in Delhi. 

Amenities standard to all rooms include work desks, minibars, flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Bathrooms are large and regal, with a similar decor scheme to what's found in the rooms, with cream-colored marble floors and tiles, black-granite and cherry-wood vanities with large gilt mirrors, deep soaking tubs with in-bathroom TVs, and huge walk-in rainfall showers. 

Calling rooms here spacious is a bit of an understatement, as even Grand Deluxe Rooms have 552 square feet of space (51 square meters). The Premiere Rooms are slightly larger, at 592 square feet (55 square meters) and add lounge areas with seating for three. Grande Premiere Rooms and Royal Premiere Rooms are the same size as their Premiere counterparts, as are Royal Club Rooms, which add perks such as club lounge access, two hours of meeting room use, and butler services. Royal Club Parlour Rooms are even larger, at 700 square feet (65 square meters), and add a few extras including walk-in wardrobes and mood lighting. 

Most of the 18 suites come in either Executive or Luxury categories, both with separate living rooms and optional butler service. There's also a huge (10,909 square feet, or 101 square meters) Grande Suite with Plunge Pool on the ninth floor, complete with a private pool and a whirlpool with an open ceiling. As the name suggests, the Royal Suite with Plunge Pool also has a private pool, as does the huge Maharaja Suite. The Presidential Suite measures around 4,800 square feet (446 meters) and features two bedrooms, a whirlpool, a private gym, a study, and two living rooms, among other features.

All of the amenities at The Leela Palace are luxurious, including the multiple bars and restaurants. Perhaps the most casual venue is The Qube, an all-day restaurant offering breakfast and lunch buffets plus a la carte dinners and Sunday brunch services. The food choices are varied and include everything from Indonesian cuisine to Maryland crab cakes. The Lobby Lounge is also open throughout the day and serves all sorts of Indian sweets and snack items along with finger sandwiches, quiches, and pastries. Room service is also available around the clock.

Megu, the hotel's Japanese restaurant, is open at lunch and dinner and serves sushi along with heartier main dishes, with the option of private dining. For something more upmarket, there's Le Cirque -- a New York City import with Franco-Italian menus, a show kitchen, and huge wine cellar -- or elegant Jamavar, a fine-dining Indian restaurant specializing in rich North Indian fare. For drinks and snacks, The Library Bar advertises having 172 different brands of single malts and whiskies and 540 wines and champagnes.

The Leela 's heated rooftop pool is among its standout features, with an infinity edge and gorgeous views out across Delhi. The hotel's darkly lit spa, ESPA, features a wide variety of its own signature treatments, including facials, massages, and even anti-cellulite treatments, plus special offerings designed for men. The hotel also offers yoga classes for individuals and groups, and there's a modern fitness center with weights and cardio equipment.

Meeting facilities are plenty at the Leela, and include a Grand Ball Room that can fit up to 300 guests theater style and a number of smaller meeting rooms, boardrooms, and outdoor event spaces. Basic Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, but there's a fee for high-speed service. Airport transfers in chauffeur-driven BMWs are also available.