The Lodhi

Opened in 2009 as an Aman Hotel and rebranded and renovated in 2012, the Lodhi Hotel is housed in a discreet, modern set of buildings constructed in a pale sandstone commonly used in North Indian architecture. This is about as good as it gets for luxury in Delhi, where many of the top-tier hotels that we've seen can be old and fusty inside -- indeed, the Lodhi lives up to its claims and status with style. The grounds are open and sparse, with a mix of stone patios, carved stone screens, green lawns, rectangular fountains, and well-manicured bushes and hedgerows. A set of stairs flanked with framed sketches leads up under red-lantern light fixtures and into the lobby, a simple, modern space with clusters of orange and black chairs on black-and-white geometric print carpets. Guests are treated to a welcome drink upon arrival. The long, narrow hallways are dark and minimalistic, with colorful paintings on the walls, while the outdoor areas are contrastingly bright, with long grassy lawns, a long lap pool flanked by shaded lounge chairs, and a triple set of tennis courts. Most guests are well-heeled tourists and business travelers, and the hotel has seen its fair share of celebrity visitors in the few years that it's been open.

The Lodhi is located on New Delhi's Lodhi Road, the de facto division between Central Delhi and South Delhi. It's right across the street from the Delhi Golf Course and a six-minute drive down the road from Humayun's Tomb, one of the city's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The sprawling Lodhi Gardens -- full of Lodhi-era tombs and meandering paths -- are within a five-minute drive or 20-minute walk of the hotel, and upscale Khan Market is just up the road, a 10-minute drive away. It's 15 minutes by car to central Delhi's Connaught Place and to Jantar Mantar, a collection of ancient astronomical tools and getting to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Delhi's best-known Sikh temple, takes about the same amount of time. Old Delhi Railway Station and Old Delhi's bustling market area -- Chandni Chowk -- are both about 25 minutes or so or so away by car, while New Delhi Railway Station takes 20 minutes to reach by taxi. South Delhi attractions such as the Lotus Temple and the Qutub Minar take about 20 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 Lodhi offers a range of luxurious rooms, all with private plunge pools. Contemporary, sometimes stark, decor softened by soothing, homelike touches such as upholstered pincushion banquettes and plush sofas and chairs with baby-blue throw cushions. All rooms have dark tiled floors, simple beige throw rugs, and dark-wood furniture and paneling, plus luxurious bathrooms with double vanities and separate walk-in showers and bathtubs. Large windows with privacy screens look out onto the balconies, which feature private plunge pools hemmed in by traditional stone screens, known locally as "jalis."There's not a huge amount of variety between room types, though those on higher floors are more expensive and have excellent views of surrounding greenery and monuments, namely the Delhi Golf Course and Humayun's Tomb. The hotel also has a variety of suites, including the two-bedroom Lodhi Suites, located on floors one through three; some have living and dining rooms. All are massive, with even entry-level Lodhi Rooms coming in with 1,350 square feet of space (125 square meters). Standard amenities include air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, fruit baskets, minibars, and snacks. Butler services are also available. Bathrooms across all rooms are an elegant affair, done with long, sleek ines in burnished sandstone. They include separate showers and soaking tubs plus contemporary fixtures.

The Lodhi offers a nice selection of features, especially given its boutique size. The main restaurant, ELAN, serves a variety of Indian, European, and East Asian cuisines. It's open from early morning until well into the night and offers 24-hour room service. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, plus a bar with a huge wine cellar and a variety of cigars for purchase. OTW (On the Waterfront) is spread over two floors, with huge windows and open bars and kitchen areas. It's open for lunch and dinner and has a glassed-in private dining room and a wide menu of food choices. There's also a casual poolside cafe with seasonal items and bistro fare. Breakfast is included in Deluxe and Premier Suite rates. The Lodhi offers some of the nicest wellness facilities in town, including a large room for fitness classes, a Pilates Studio with reformers, a huge gym with modern Technogym cardio equipment, plus modern weight machines and free weights. Personal trainers are on staff as well and there are three tennis courts and two squash courts. Other facilities include an outdoor lap pool with poolside dining and lounge chairs plus a spa and salon offering haircuts, steam and sauna, massages, and separate Turkish baths for men and women. Itineraries of Delhi's famous sights as well as farther flung excursions can be arranged, as can private limousine services. A cigar lounge is available for those looking to partake. There's even a library full of beautiful India-themed coffee table books and a board room for small meetings and events. Parking is free, as is Wi-Fi.