Luxury Travel in Delhi 2025
Experience the finest hotels, dining, and exclusive experiences in Delhi.
Delhi, India's sprawling capital territory, is a city where ancient monuments stand beside ultramodern malls and Mughal gardens shadow gleaming corporate towers. As one of the world's most populous cities, Delhi offers an intoxicating blend of history spanning 3,000 years, from Iron Age settlements to British colonial architecture. The city serves as the political, cultural, and commercial heart of India, drawing millions of visitors annually to its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, vibrant street food scene, and legendary bazaars.
Luxury Hotels
The finest accommodations in Delhi.
The Oberoi New Delhi
Delhi's most acclaimed ultra-luxury property, set amid 15 acres of landscaped gardens overlooking the Delhi Golf Club and the historic Humayun's Tomb. The Oberoi defines the gold standard of Indian hospitality with impeccable butler service, spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, and a roster of award-winning restaurants. The Oberoi Spa is considered one of the finest in South Asia.
The Leela Palace New Delhi
A palatial property inspired by the architecture of Lutyens' Delhi, The Leela Palace delivers regal grandeur with 254 rooms and suites featuring hand-woven silk furnishings, marble bathrooms, and views over the Diplomatic Enclave gardens. The ESPA spa and Jamavar restaurant (renowned for coastal Indian cuisine) are headline drawcards.
The Imperial New Delhi
A living piece of colonial history, The Imperial opened in 1936 and remains one of Delhi's most iconic addresses. Its art deco architecture, famous mile-long gallery of colonial art, and legendary Spice Route restaurant (serving Southeast Asian cuisine in a UNESCO-recognised interior) attract guests who value heritage as much as luxury.
ITC Maurya
ITC Maurya is synonymous with Indian culinary excellence, home to Bukhara – Delhi's most iconic restaurant – and Dum Pukht, a temple to slow-cooked Awadhi cuisine. The property combines business-hotel efficiency with genuine luxury and is favoured by heads of state, including US presidents who have dined at Bukhara.
Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi
Opened in 1978 and recently fully renovated, the Taj Mahal Hotel combines the warmth of the Taj group's legendary hospitality with a superbly central location near India Gate, Khan Market, and Lodhi Colony. The property features contemporary Indian art throughout and a rooftop pool with city views.
Shangri-La Eros New Delhi
The Shangri-La New Delhi offers the group's signature warm Asian hospitality in the heart of the city, just minutes from Connaught Place and Janpath. Its rooftop Sorrento restaurant and spa make it a favourite among business and leisure travellers who want genuine luxury at more accessible price points than ultra-luxury rivals.
Fine Dining
Exceptional culinary experiences.
Bukhara
Consistently ranked among Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, Bukhara has operated since 1978 and remains one of the most famous restaurants in the world for authentic tandoor cuisine. The menu has barely changed in decades – a hallmark of confidence. The dal Bukhara (slow-cooked overnight on a wood-fired tandoor) and the sikandari raan (whole leg of lamb) are legendary. Guests eat bibs instead of napkins – part of the charm. Dress smart-casual; reservations essential weeks in advance.
Indian Accent
Chef Manish Mehrotra's Indian Accent is routinely listed among Asia's 50 Best Restaurants and has redefined contemporary Indian cuisine. The tasting menu is the centrepiece – expect doda barfi French toast, meetha achaar ribs, and Kashmiri morel stuffed with cottage cheese. The wine list and non-alcoholic pairings are exceptional. The Manor Hotel setting provides an intimate boutique-hotel atmosphere far removed from grand hotel dining rooms.
Dum Pukht
Named after the ancient slow-cooking technique where food is sealed in heavy-bottomed vessels and cooked over gentle heat for hours, Dum Pukht is a palace of refinement. Set in rooms resembling a Nawab's mansion, the restaurant serves dishes from the royal courts of Lucknow – biryani sealed with pastry dough, gosht dum biryani, and murgh Musallam. One of the finest Awadhi dining experiences in India.
Spice Route
Widely described as one of the most beautiful restaurant interiors in the world, Spice Route took 16 years and the work of 200 craftsmen to create. The hand-painted murals, carved teak, and temple motifs create a breathtaking setting for cuisine tracing the ancient spice trade from Kerala through Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. As visually spectacular as it is culinarily accomplished.
Varq
One of Delhi's most innovative fine-dining experiences, Varq interprets traditional Indian recipes through a modern lens. The restaurant's 'edible gold leaf' presentation has made it as much a visual experience as a culinary one. The seasonal tasting menus change regularly, featuring heritage grains, forgotten vegetables, and regional Indian specialties rarely seen in restaurant settings.
Jamavar
Jamavar draws inspiration from royal Indian courts and coastal fishing villages alike, presenting a sweeping tour of Indian regional cuisine in an opulent setting. The Malabar lobster, Hyderabadi lamb biryani, and rogan josh represent the breadth of the menu. The restaurant's gold-and-jewel interiors mirror the kitchens of India's maharajas. An excellent alternative to Bukhara for guests seeking variety beyond tandoor.
Luxury Insider Guide
Exclusive recommendations, VIP access tips, and concierge contacts.
Exclusive Experiences
VIP access and private experiences.
Private Sunrise Tour of Red Fort
Arrange a private guided tour of Red Fort before the monument opens to the general public, accompanied by a historian guide who brings Mughal history to life without the distraction of crowds. Several specialist operators including Delhi By Foot and Royal India offer this experience. The pink sandstone glows at sunrise and photographers prize this light. Includes private transport and a chai breakfast after the tour.
Helicopter Sightseeing Over Delhi
Take to the skies over Delhi for an aerial perspective of Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun's Tomb, Red Fort, and the sweep of Lutyens' Delhi. Operators including Heritage Aviation and Deccan Charters offer chartered helicopter tours departing from Safdarjung Airport (India's oldest operational airport). Available primarily October through March. Custom itineraries can extend to Agra for an aerial view of the Taj Mahal.
High Tea at The Imperial
The Atrium Lounge at The Imperial serves one of Delhi's most celebrated afternoon teas daily from 3PM to 6PM. Think freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream and preserves, finger sandwiches, pastries, and a pot of Darjeeling first flush – all served amid colonial art and art deco architecture. The setting is theatrical and the tea list is superb. A quintessential Delhi luxury ritual.
Royal Indian Cooking Class
Learn to cook Mughal-era recipes from a private chef in a heritage haveli kitchen or top hotel setting. Specialist operators like Delhi Food Walks and The Cooking Class India offer small-group and private sessions covering biryani, kebabs, and royal breads. Some experiences include a market visit to INA Market or Khari Baoli (Asia's largest spice market) before the cooking session. A hands-on insight into Delhi's culinary royalty.
Private Yoga and Meditation Session
Arrange a one-on-one session with a senior instructor at Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (government-certified), or book in-room private yoga through your luxury hotel. Several five-star hotels – The Oberoi, Leela Palace, and ITC Maurya – offer private morning yoga sessions on rooftop terraces or in gardens at sunrise, often incorporating pranayama breathing and guided Vedic meditation techniques.
Bollywood VIP Experience
Delhi's Filmalaya Studios and connections to the Hindi film industry allow specialist tour operators to arrange VIP set visits, meet-and-greets with Bollywood talent, styling sessions with film makeup artists, and private screenings in luxury home theatres. Full-day experiences may include lunch at a film producer's bungalow in Vasant Vihar and an evening at a Bollywood-themed club in Hauz Khas. Highly customised and requires advance planning.
Khari Baoli Spice Market Private Tour and Dinner Pairing
A private guided walk through Khari Baoli – Asia's largest wholesale spice market near Chandni Chowk – with a specialist guide who explains the provenance, history, and culinary use of over 200 spices. The experience concludes with a private tasting dinner at a curated Old Delhi restaurant where each course is paired with the spices encountered during the walk. An immersive multi-sensory luxury experience.
Private Transportation
Travel in comfort and style.
Private Car & Chauffeur
Luxury vehicles with professional drivers available for airport transfers, day trips, and city tours.
Private Aviation
Charter flights and helicopter services for scenic tours and efficient regional travel.
VIP Airport Services
Meet-and-greet services, expedited immigration, and luxury lounge access.
Spa & Wellness
Premium relaxation and rejuvenation.
Oberoi Spa
Widely considered Delhi's finest hotel spa, the Oberoi Spa offers Ayurvedic therapies, international wellness treatments, and a range of holistic body rituals across eight treatment rooms. Signature experiences include the Shirodhara (warm oil poured over the forehead for deep relaxation) and the full Panchakarma Ayurvedic detox programme. The spa team includes Ayurvedic physicians alongside trained therapists.
ESPA at The Leela Palace
ESPA brings its internationally acclaimed spa philosophy to The Leela Palace across 12 treatment rooms including two couples suites with private relaxation areas. The spa combines traditional Indian therapies – Abhyanga, Shirodhara, Udvartana – with ESPA's signature European treatment protocols. The hydrotherapy facilities, including a vitality pool and steam room, are among the best in Delhi.
The Spa at ITC Maurya
ITC's proprietary Kaya Kalp spa brand delivers deeply Indian wellness experiences drawing on ancient texts and botanical traditions. The spa specialises in Panchakarma treatments, marma therapy (an Ayurvedic pressure-point technique), and signature oil blends prepared in-house. The serene design references Mauryan architecture, creating a contemplative atmosphere distinct from modern wellness spas.
Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La
Chi Spa channels Himalayan healing philosophy across five treatment rooms including a couples suite. The menu blends Tibetan, Chinese, and Indian traditions with signature Chi Journey rituals using precious stone tools and Himalayan herb infusions. The spa also offers traditional Thai massage and customised detox programmes.
Roseate Spa
The Roseate Spa is a tranquil retreat in the award-winning Roseate New Delhi hotel near the airport. Spread across a serene garden campus, the spa offers Ayurvedic, Thai, and contemporary wellness therapies. Signature offerings include the Roseate Ritual (a 3-hour full-body journey) and organic facials using rose-based botanical formulations. Popular for airport layover spa days.
Experience Delhi in Luxury
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