leela palace delhi: rajasthan

Standing majestically in Delhi’s diplomatic enclave and close to many of the city’s main attractions is the brand new (April 2011) Leela Palace. Inspired by India’s palaces of old, the Leela group resolved to build a “New Palace”, modern yet constructed with the grandeur of those ancient monuments, many of which still stand today. The lobby gives you a taste of what you can expect in the rest of the hotel, with huge pillars supporting a ceiling over 2 storeys high from which opulent chandeliers hang.

 

This is how hotels used to be built – with absolutely no expense spared. It may seem slightly unwise in these times but is a reminder of the power house that is India’s burgeoning economy and that they have always been a wealthy nation.

 

Rooms:  260 total

 

156 Grand Deluxe

46 Royal Premier

39 Royal Club Rooms

19 Suites including 2 with plunge pools on their own outside terraces

01 Maharaja Suite at over 3,000 square feet. Stunning.

 

Unlike many hotels who maintain great public areas and then disappoint in the bedrooms, it just gets better with the Leela Palace. There are no cheap furnishings here – it is like entering the room of a stately home, just everything is new, though the style is classical. The modern conveniences are plentiful and state of the art, with a specially made for the hotel iPOD which controls the TV as well as offering you music pre-loaded. The entertainment systems aside to the TV comprise of radio, DVD and CD players. There is a writing desk with all the connections you’ll need for business and you’ll also find various styles of sofa in each room.

 

The bathrooms are very large with a separate power shower, separate toilet, double vanity basis and a very large bathtub and again, beautifully appointed in a regal way.

 

Dining:

 

Eating at the Leela will prove a very satisfying experience.  All day dining at “Qube”, where the array of different options, hot and cold, is quite unprecedented and various other evening options include the stunning “Le Cirque”, an Italian that takes over the entire 11^th floor, again in incredibly grandiose style, though more contemporary than other parts of the hotel.

 

Jamavar offers authentic Indian cuisine, and Megu will offer scintillating Japanese sushi and other delights from the culinary might of Honshu.

 

For those looking for company, The Library is an old fashioned bar with indoor and terrace seating and Le Cirque has a bar area also, while the lobby is another central point to socialise.

 

Spa:

ESPA run the treatment options here and as always, the staff are very professional in all ways. The treatment rooms are very very comfortable and the whole place really relaxing and designed very well over 2 floors. Proper relaxation rooms for post treatment wind down are a welcome bonus.

A 30 minute reflexology treatment (actually lasted 45 +) was really excellent, using a combination of hot stones and hands, another first as far as we know.

 

Other:

State of the art gym

Rooftop pool

Business centre

Upgraded pick ups in BMW 5 + 7 Series and Rolls Royce for anyone staying in the Maharaja Suite.

 

The Leela Palace would be a 1-2 night stop on a 10+day tour of Rajasthan/ India. The total cost of such a package in similar hotels would be c. £2,500 per person including flights, transport, guides and entrance fees.