Lutyens-era grandeur versus the most private rooms in India — the capital's top tier, and the Golden Triangle beyond.
By Biirdee Travel. Updated 2026-06-10.
Delhi's two great hotels frame the city's eras — and both are LHW members, so club benefits attach at each. The Imperial (1936) is the Lutyens-era legend on Janpath: colonial-art-lined corridors where independence was negotiated over tea. The Lodhi is its modern opposite — vast rooms (most with private plunge pools, a near-unicorn in any capital) beside the Lodhi Gardens. Together they anchor the launchpad for India's Golden Triangle and the Aman circuit into Rajasthan.
The Imperial for atmosphere and the Delhi of history books; The Lodhi for space, privacy and what may be the country's best restaurant (Indian Accent) in the lobby. Many itineraries bookend with both — Imperial on arrival for the immersion, Lodhi before departure for the exhale. From Delhi the real journey starts: Agra's Taj at dawn, Jaipur's palace hotels, then Aman's Rajasthan pair — Amanbagh's pink-marble haveli and Aman-i-Khás's tents at Ranthambore for tigers. October–March only; we sequence the whole triangle with drivers we've used for years.
The Imperial for heritage and atmosphere; The Lodhi for the best rooms in the country. Both carry Leaders Club benefits — Delhi is a two-great-hotels town.
October–March — cool mornings, clear skies for the Taj, tiger-safari season at Ranthambore. April–June is brutally hot; July–September is monsoon.
Two or three — Lutyens' avenues, Humayun's Tomb, Old Delhi's food walk — then onward: the Golden Triangle wants 7–10 days total, Rajasthan's palaces a week beyond.
Golden Triangle sequencing, tiger-season timing, the Aman Rajasthan pair — same rate as direct, club benefits at both Delhi greats.