Delhi hotel - Le Meridien versus ITC Maurya
 

We're using SPG points, so ignoring price, which one is a better bet? It looks like the Le Meridien is closer to the center, but by how much, I can't tell. The Maurya seems to have slightly better reviews though.

Any thoughts? Thank you!

Le Meridien is a lot more central. The sights in Delhi are spread out and you will do a lot of traveling no matter where you stay. However, the Maurya is pretty far from both the north and south areas that you would typically want to see. If they are only "slightly better" reviews, I'd choose Le Meridien as it is in a neighborhood where you can walk to many interesting spots.

I stayed at Le Meridien back in 2001. I thought the hotel was fine and the breakfast buffet spectacular. There were some very nice shops in the hotel, too.

However.......

There were always men knocking on my door trying to SELL me services--polishing shoes, running errands, offering flowers for my room. It was VERY annoying. VERY!

The Great and Powerful Thingorjus

Le Meridien is within walking distance of Rajpath and the Connaught area, so that is convenient in many ways. IMO the ITC is a better hotel, esp if you can get a room in the ITC One, their boutique hotel-within-a hotel. The rooms are larger and better-appointed than the main hotel, IMO. If you can’t use points for ITC One, then try for a Towers room. ITC has several excellent restaurants, including the famous Bukhara and the less well-know but equally good Dumpukt. The hotel is located in the leafy green diplomatic area, which is nice; albeit you will take a car to get to many places. However, hiring a car and driver for the day is ridiculously inexpensive, so at the end of the day it won’t matter a whole lot. The ITC is a bit closer to the Qutab Minar as well as to Haus Khaus or Khan Market areas (shopping and restaurants), and Le Meriden is a bit close to the Red Fort and Chandi Chowk. So other than being able to walk around the Rajpath area (which is certainly a nice feature), IMO neither has a great advantage over the other.

You can hire a driver/car through something like Kumar Taxi service. They will give you a quote, but I believe it is about US$20 for an 8-hour day of touring around Delhi.

Kumar Tourist Taxi Service
14/1 K- Block
Connaught Circus
Tel: 91-11-2341-5390
Fax: 91-11-2341-8859
Cell: 91-98-1143-1783
e-mail: [email protected]

They have older cars but perfectly clean and fine, if you want an Ambassador (a fun way to see Delhi) ask for one. They also have Toyota Qualis SUVs, not really necessary in Delhi, and would probably cost more. Using the hotel would be a more expensive option, but as you aren’t paying for the room, perhaps you don’t;’ care.

Thanks everyone for the great advice. We've decided to book Le Meridien for its location. We are there for less than 2 days and although we will have a driver, I've heard Delhi traffic is pretty bad, so the closer we are to the center, the better.

Cicerone, thank you especially for the taxi info.

booking.com honest recent reviews on both

Meridien better location value for me

bidding priceline.com usually cheaply

flash SPG.com card for free suite club floor upgrades

to best available they are required to do this.

If they do not kindly ask the manager.

We're staying at the ITC Maurya - Le Meridien is fully booked.

Suzy_Q, when you use points, is the breakfast buffet generally included?

Suzy i just saw this threed.
You are LUCKY--i was going to recommend the Maurya!! We LOVED LOVED LOVED it. Wonderful , clssy, and unpushy staff; , gorgeous lobby overlooking sculpture garden, lovely rooms (load of those yummy Fiama di Wills toiletrise, loads of bottled waters, lots of fun little touches like a scented cloth to help you (theoretically) sleep better). I'd go back there in a heartbeat!!!

We too used points, and you'll probably be in a room on a designated Starwood floor.
There is a Cafe Cofffee Day a couple blocks easy walk away, and a delicious Indian restaurant at the same area Malcha Marg, also an easy walk.

The hotel breakfast was NOT included with the points.

You know the US Presidents stay here when in New Delhi, right? And the entire surroundings are green and lush, right by the diplomatic area.

Darn, this is making me miss it!!

Staying at the ITC Maurya now on the recommendation of native Delhian. Agreed--the rooms are very nice and the service matches.

If you are SPG Platinum, internet and breakfast buffet are complimentary.