• Most iconic city views & clean-air tech: The Oberoi, New Delhi (near Lodhi Gardens/Humayun’s Tomb). 

• Opulent palace vibes & standout dining: The Leela Palace hotel in Delhi (Chanakyapuri). 

• Grand heritage & art-deco elegance: The Imperial New Delhi (Janpath/Connaught Place). 

• Classic Lutyens’ luxury, revamped rooms: Taj Mahal, New Delhi (Mansingh Road).

• Business-class polish & club lounge: Taj Palace, New Delhi (Diplomatic Enclave). 

• Culinary legends (Bukhara & Dum Pukht): ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Chanakyapuri). 

• Suite life with private plunge pools: The Lodhi (Lodhi Road). 

• City-center convenience & dining circuit: Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi (CP). 

• Stylish lifestyle stay near airport: Andaz Delhi, Aerocity (IGI vicinity). 

• Reliable big-brand luxury by IGI: JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity. 

Good to know: Delhi’s luxury scene clusters around Lutyens’ Delhi/Chanakyapuri (embassy district & heritage core) and Aerocity (for ultra-convenient airport access).

Selection Criteria

• Location & connectivity (heritage core vs. Aerocity)

• Room quality & signature suites (space, design, views)

• Dining & bar program (chef-driven, award pedigree)

• Wellness & family amenities (spa, pool, clean-air tech)

• Event/business readiness (club lounges, ballrooms)

• Guest-friendly policies & consistency (recent refurbishments, brand standards)

The Definitive List (with neighborhood intel, who it’s for, and pro tips)

1) The Oberoi, New Delhi — Clean-air luxury beside Delhi’s green lung

Where: Dr. Zakir Hussain Marg (near Lodhi Gardens / Humayun’s Tomb)
Why stay: A modern classic with panoramic heritage views and one of Delhi’s most talked-about whole-hotel clean-air systems, which keeps indoor AQI exceptionally low—huge plus in winter. Rooms balance contemporary design with Oberoi’s ultra-polished service. 
Best for: Discerning couples, culture buffs, wellness-minded travelers.
Don’t miss: Sunset drinks looking toward Humayun’s Tomb; spa; indoor-outdoor pool.
Pro tip: If air quality is a priority, call out the clean-air program when booking. 

2) The Leela Palace New Delhi — Embassies, elegance, and destination dining

Where: Chanakyapuri (Embassy district)
Why stay: A palatial statement with gilded details, a glass-boxed all-day diner (The Qube), and MEGU—one of the city’s best Japanese rooms. Le Cirque has been undergoing a transformation; check current status if you’re a fan. Rooftop pool seals the deal. 
Best for: Special-occasion trips, food-led itineraries, spa days.
Don’t miss: Sunday brunch at The Qube; a MEGU dinner.
Pro tip: Book a club-access room for quieter check-in and evening canapés.

3) The Imperial New Delhi — The grand dame on Janpath

Where: Janpath, steps from Connaught Place
Why stay: A 1930s legend blending Victorian, Art Deco, and Lutyens signatures, dense with museum-grade art and history. A magnet for architecture fans and heritage travel. Spa and dining remain strong. 
Best for: Heritage lovers, culture and shopping in CP, literary romantics.
Don’t miss: A slow gallery walk through the corridors; high tea; The Imperial Spa.
Pro tip: Check current exhibitions or award nominations to time a culture-rich stay. 

4) Taj Mahal, New Delhi — Lutyens’ landmark, fully refreshed

Where: Mansingh Road (near India Gate)
Why stay: An icon reborn: newly redesigned rooms and suites with Taj’s service DNA. Several classic restaurants return polished, and event spaces cater to upscale weddings and corporate galas. 
Best for: City explorers, executive travelers wanting heritage meets modernity.
Don’t miss: Sunrise walk to India Gate; club lounge privileges.
Pro tip: Ask for a high-floor room facing the leafy boulevards.

5) Taj Palace, New Delhi — Business-class sophistication in the Diplomatic Enclave

Where: Sardar Patel Marg (Chanakyapuri)

Why stay: A resort-like footprint with four award-winning restaurants, a slick Taj Club Lounge, and J Wellness Circle spa. Popular for conferences and high-end events, but equally comfortable for leisure. 
Best for: Business+leisure, event attendees, families wanting space.
Don’t miss: The Taj Club floors for elevated perks. 
Pro tip: The hotel touts an internal air-purification system—handy in peak smog months. 

6) ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel — Where Delhi dines

Where: Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri
Why stay: A power address hosting heads of state for decades—and home to Delhi’s most storied restaurants: Bukhara (North-West Frontier grill mastery) and Dum Pukht (slow-cooked Awadhi classics). Add a sizable wellness footprint and strong events offering. 
Best for: Culinary pilgrims, dignitaries, MICE travelers.
Don’t miss: The “Dal Bukhara” and the Dum Pukht biryani—book early. 
Pro tip: For quieter stays, request rooms away from event floors.

7) The Lodhi — Contemporary calm with private plunge pools

Where: Lodhi Road (close to Lodhi Gardens & Delhi Golf Club)
Why stay: A design-forward sanctuary (Kerry Hill aesthetics) with oversized rooms and private plunge pools in many categories. Feels boutique yet sprawling, with verdant grounds and a serious spa program. 
Best for: Privacy seekers, urban retreats, wellness weekends.
Don’t miss: A spa hammam session; high-floor Lodhi Premier Suites overlooking Humayun’s Tomb. 

8) Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi — CP’s cosmopolitan hub

Where: 19 Ashoka Road, Connaught Place
Why stay: Walkable to CP, with an excellent dining line-up (Shang Palace, Sorrento, Tamra) and Horizon Club views. Balanced price-to-luxury ratio for those who want five-star service in the city’s commercial heart. 
Best for: Foodies, shoppers, and quick metro-hoppers.
Don’t miss: A progressive dinner—cocktails at Grappa, dim sum at Shang Palace, dessert at Sorrento. 

9) Andaz Delhi, Aerocity — Design-led lifestyle near IGI

Where: Aerocity (Asset No. 1)
Why stay: Hyatt’s Andaz brings bold, local-storytelling design, creative F&B and a social vibe minutes from the terminals—perfect if you’re flying in/out or planning NCR meetings. 
Best for: Weekend staycations, layover luxury, creative professionals.
Don’t miss: Exploring Aerocity’s restaurant cluster; check art installations on-site.
Pro tip: Rooms/suites are generously sized for an airport-area hotel. 

10) JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity — Big-brand polish, five minutes from DEL

Where: Aerocity (Asset Area 4)
Why stay: Large, modern rooms (starting around 460 sq ft), a solid spa and pool deck, and dependable JW service. Great for business travelers who value airport proximity without sacrificing amenities. 
Best for: Transit-friendly meetings, families needing space, loyalty members.
Don’t miss: Breakfast spread and the all-day restaurant’s global buffet. 

Honorable Mentions (If you want more options)

• The Roseate New Delhi (NH-8) — An urban resort with statement architecture, water features and eight acres of greenery; a serene alternative near the airport. 

Neighborhood Cheat Sheet (Where to Book)

• Lutyens’ Delhi / India Gate / Lodhi
  Choose The Oberoi, The Lodhi, Taj Mahal for culture, parks, museums, and heritage boulevards. 

• Chanakyapuri (Diplomatic Enclave)
  Pick The Leela Palace, ITC Maurya, Taj Palace for embassies, leafy avenues, and event-friendly hotels. 

• Connaught Place (City-center)
  Book The Imperial or Shangri-La Eros for shopping, dining, metro connectivity. 

• Aerocity (Airport Hub)
  Book Andaz or JW Marriott for flight-friendly schedules, newbuild hardware, and lively dining clusters.

Sample 3-Day Luxury Itinerary (Mix Heritage + Dining + Ease)

Day 1 (Arrival + Heritage Core):
Check into The Oberoi or The Lodhi → late lunch → sunset at Lodhi Gardens → cocktails with skyline views. 

Day 2 (Culture & Cuisine):
Museum morning (NGMA/National Museum) → CP shopping → progressive dinner at Shangri-La Eros’ restaurants. 

Day 3 (Diplomatic Enclave Dining):
Spa + pool, then head to ITC Maurya for Bukhara/Dum Pukht. End with a nightcap at a palace hotel bar. 

Booking Tips (to actually get what you want)

1. Air quality seasonality: From Oct–Jan, ask about in-room purifiers or whole-hotel clean-air systems (Oberoi and some Taj/ITC properties highlight this). 

2. Club floors & lounges: Worth it at Taj Palace, JW Marriott, Shangri-La for private check-in, breakfast, and evening service.

3. Restaurant reservations: Bukhara, Dum Pukht, MEGU, The Qube brunch book up—lock tables early. 

4. Event calendars: Big conferences and weddings can swell occupancy—Chanakyapuri hotels are favorites for large events. 

5. Airport access: For late-night arrivals or morning departures, Aerocity (Andaz/JW) is a stress-free base. 

Mini Comparison Table

Final Word

If you’re after classic city luxury with wellness-grade air, choose The Oberoi. For palatial grandeur and a destination-dining trifecta, go Leela Palace. ITC Maurya is non-negotiable for food lovers; Shangri-La Eros and The Imperial anchor the city center; Andaz and JW Marriott make Aerocity an easy win.

If you want, tell me your budget range, trip purpose, and travel dates, and I’ll tailor this top-10 into a personal short-list with room-type picks and suggested restaurant reservations to match.