In 1950, three years after Independence, an Indian family was talked into building a hotel with a British aesthetic, and the result was a winner: tasteful yet unpretentious, in a central yet quiet location. The old-fashioned charm reveals itself on the front lawn—unusual in Delhi—where cane chairs invite you to take a breather, and in the lobby, where two swing staircases suggest a way up. Standard rooms are medium-size, but all rooms facing the pool have either a window seat, terrace, or balcony. Rooms in the newer wing have plasma televisions, marble floors, and immaculately turned out designer furnishings. Pros: Sevilla, the Meditteranean eatery, gets high marks; excellent pool. Cons: some rooms in the old wing sport musty, hideous plaid carpeting; rooms near the nightclub can be noisy.
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