The Claridges New Delhi

The Claridges New Delhi stands as a beacon of timeless elegance and hospitality in the heart of India's capital. Established in 1955, this Michelin Key Selected property seamlessly blends old-world charm with modern luxury, offering guests a memorable and refined experience.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for The Claridges New Delhi is highly positive. It consistently receives impressive ratings, including a 4.2 out of 5 rating from 271 reviews on Goibibo and an 8.6 out of 10 ("Fabulous") from over 630 reviews on Booking.com. Guests frequently describe their stays as excellent, comfortable, and luxurious, praising the hotel's ambiance, facilities, and staff.

2. Key Highlights

Guests particularly love The Claridges for its:

• Exceptional Service: The staff's helpful, humble, and attentive demeanor is consistently lauded.
• Prime Location: Situated in the clean, green, and safe Lutyens' Delhi, it offers easy access to key attractions.
• Grandiose Design & Ambiance: The hotel retains a classic, colonial feel with elegant interiors, a grand reception, and beautiful artwork throughout.
• Extensive Dining Options: With multiple on-site restaurants, guests appreciate the variety and quality of food.
• Relaxing Amenities: The outdoor swimming pool amidst lush greenery and a well-equipped gym are highly valued.

3. Room Quality

The Claridges offers rooms that combine old-world charm with contemporary furnishings. While some rooms maintain a vintage style and can feel a bit dated, many have been updated with gleaming parquet floors, marble bathrooms, and comfortable beds. Amenities typically include flat-screen TVs, minibars, kettles, and Nespresso-style coffee makers. Some suites boast additional perks like four-poster beds and jetted tubs. Guests often praise the cleanliness and comfort of the rooms, with specific mentions of comfortable beds.

4. Dining Experience

Dining is a significant highlight at The Claridges, with several excellent on-site restaurants catering to diverse tastes. Options include:

• Sevilla: A popular Spanish-themed restaurant known for its romantic ambiance, tapas, paella, and sangrias.
• Dhaba by Claridges: Offers rustic Indian and Punjabi highway-themed cuisine.
• Jade: Serves Cantonese dishes in a contemporary setting.
• Pickwick: A beautifully designed restaurant that serves as a venue for afternoon tea.
• Aura: Formerly a vodka bar, it has transformed into a high-performance venue for live entertainment.
• Lutyens: The main restaurant where a great breakfast buffet is served, often featuring items from the hotel's renowned Ye Old Bakery.

The breakfast buffet consistently receives high praise for its quality and wide range of offerings. While the food quality is generally excellent, some guests note that restaurant prices can be steep.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Claridges is frequently described as exceptional. Guests highlight the staff's professionalism, friendliness, and willingness to go "above and beyond" to meet needs. From the front desk to room service and housekeeping, staff members are commended for their courteous, helpful, and accommodating nature, contributing significantly to a memorable stay.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an excellent and highly-rated location in Lutyens' Delhi, an area known for its broad, tree-lined boulevards and stately colonial architecture. It's considered one of the cleanest and safest parts of the city. The Claridges is conveniently situated near major attractions such as India Gate (a five-minute drive), Lodhi Gardens (a short walk), Connaught Place, and Sarojini Market. It's also easily accessible, making it a good base for city tours.

7. Value & Pricing

The Claridges New Delhi is a luxury hotel, and its pricing reflects this. While some guests acknowledge that it can be pricey, particularly for food and drinks, many feel that the exceptional hospitality, grandiose ambiance, and overall experience justify the cost. Kayak shows rates starting from around $72 for a King room, but prices can vary significantly depending on the room type and time of booking, with some suites reaching higher figures.

8. Common Complaints

While generally well-received, some recurring criticisms include:

• Dated Rooms/Areas: Although renovations are underway, some guests have noted that certain areas and older rooms can appear dated or worn, with peeling paint or crumbling concrete in less prominent areas.
• Noise Levels: Specific rooms, particularly those near the pool or kitchens, have been reported to experience noise disturbances.
• High Food and Beverage Prices: Several guests found the on-site dining and drink options to be expensive compared to outside establishments.
• Slow Service: On rare occasions, guests have mentioned delays in receiving ordered items like drinks.

The Claridges New Delhi has been selected as a MICHELIN Guide Hotel, an honor recognizing hotels for their exceptional hospitality, design, and service, among other criteria.

Sources

1. michelin.com
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9. booking.com
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11. wikipedia.org
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14. ellegourmet.in