The Lodhi, New Delhi

Formerly in the Aman Resorts portfolio, this city hotel delights with unapologetically serious architecture and contemporary feel in its massive rooms and suites—all of which come equipped with a private plunge pool. Indulgent and stylish, The Lodhi embodies modern-day India.

This was our first stop on a long trip across Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan states and it introduced India in a somewhat unusual way. While there is plenty of old, opulent heritage hotels in Delhi, The Lodhi goes against the grain—this is not a place of traditionally-cut stone arches and oriels.

The Lodhi’s architect, Kerry Hill, used sharply drawn sandstone blocks to create monumental architecture befitting the grand status of India’s capital. Serious and polished, it is the sort of design that could easily overwhelm, and we were half-expecting it. Yet from the moment we arrived we felt enveloped in a warm and serene atmosphere.

At The Lodhi, all elements of the hotel experience are designed to create a soothing mood, but to us, the most visibly obvious role plays the interior design—and how it softens the architecture’s strong impact. Thanks to calm tones and textures inside, the interiors feel almost cozy.

Delhi sleek

The guest rooms are smooth and cool and are looking out to the green gardens and cityscape beyond through their floor-to-ceiling windows. Furniture is tasteful and understated, fabrics kept light and neutral. Shiny carpeted floors and creamy monochrome stone bathrooms complete a design that is unquestionably 21st-century. Ah, of course, each room has its own plunge pool on the massive terrace.

It’s the only hotel in Delhi offering such luxury… and what a welcome thing it is. Every day we would go out to explore the city—to the markets or the famous Humayun’s Tomb, just one kilometer away, or the Lodhi Gardens—and after a city adventure it was perfectly fine by us to refresh in the pool and chill out on our terrace, with a drink in hand.

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Swimming and dining

For a more serious swim, there is the vast, 50-meter outdoor swimming pool, by the spa. It wows with spectacular design, flanked by rows of columns and screened by mogul-style stone lattice jaalis. Guests can also have light lunch and chill out in the neighboring Pool Cafe, a breezy and casual hangout.

There are a couple of other restaurants, including OTW (On the Waterfront), which sports the all-glass dining room surrounded by the reflective pond (available for private parties and dinners), and Elam, which we’d visit every day for breakfast.

It’s- Own

The Lodhi maintains attention to detail and atmosphere worthy of its origins as one of the Aman hotels, but it has also developed its own independent style and attitude. The architecture may feel imposing from outside, but the hotel feels intimate—this is augmented by Lodhi’s nurtured trendy image and personal approach.

From our first impression to the parting good-byes, this is what defined The Lodhi experience.

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in our opinion

This boutique city hotel is a surprising and delightful alternative to more traditionally-minded hotels in Delhi or Rajasthan. It's a great choice to start or end a dream Rajasthan journey.

What we love

• The most fashionable and spacious hotel rooms in India's capital. Even the lower category rooms have a terrace with a private plunge pool.
• Superb location in the heart of the city, with easy access to the most interesting parts of Delhi. It also takes only 25 minutes to reach the international airport.
• Great beginning of the stay: airport pickup with a limousine (optional) and in-room check-in.
• Excellent service, with genuine commitment from all members of staff.
• The hotel's large swimming pool: artfully screened by ornate jaalis, with patterns inspired by Mughal palace architecture, it is The Lodhi's beautiful central point.
• The spa facilities are world-class, certainly one of the grandest in Delhi.
• Delicious breakfasts at the Elan restaurant and dinners at OTW.
• The hotel offers a plethora of excursions in the city and beyond—we did an escorted tuk-tuk tour, exploring the narrow passageways of the Old Delhi and it was great.

What you should know

• The Lodhi and Aman Resorts continue to maintain strong links. Both offer an itinerary called Aman India Journey, which includes stays at The Lodhi, Amanbagh, and Aman-i-Khas in Rajasthan. Incidentally, we included all these hotels in our much larger India trip and can attest: it's a great combination.
• This boutique city hotel is not for people who seek a traditional “Indian” experience. The Lodhi is very modern-looking… it could almost be placed in any city in the world.
• Families are welcome, but there are no specific facilities for children. Babysitting can be arranged upon request.
• The good location comes at a price, as there is some city noise and it can be dusty too, especially in the hottest months. The dust tends to settle on the guest terraces and in the private pools—thankfully the excellent housekeeping manages to keep it in check.