ITC Maurya, a Luxury Collection Hotel, New Delhi

ITC Maurya, A Luxury Collection Hotel, New Delhi

"Give us your first impression of this place: What was it like? Arriving in Delhi after nearly a day of travel feels like a fever dream; you're leaving the airport, taking in the crazy traffic patterns, and watching Delhi buzz by you. Then, you start seeing a lot of green. You learn you're in a diplomatic enclave. And barely 15 minutes from the airport you turn off a road, enter a security gate, and climb a beautiful, curving hill. You're at ITC Maurya, an imposing but attractive sandstone-colored building, surrounded by lush flowers and grass in the middle of Delhi. A favorite among visiting dignitaries (on a tour, staff will proudly show you the suite where President Barack Obama stayed during his visit), it specializes in offering luxury alongside security and modern amenities a few minutes' south of the bustling Connaught Place. And what's the backstory? ITC is part of the Luxury Collection (so Bonvoy members, take note), and an Indian-owned and -operated hotel chain. Each property is uniquely named and designed after a historic cultural moment: in this case, the grand Mauryan dynasty. The hotel houses a significant art collection by Indian artists like Krishen Khanna, M.F. Husain, Tyeb Mehta, Yusuf Arakkal, A R Ramachandran, and Akbar Padamsee; the hotel pays for and maintains green space beyond its property line for the city of Delhi. It's a chain that prides itself on catering to foreign visitors, and providing amenities that will make for a smooth business or leisure trip, but that also maintains the hallmark culture of service that hotels in the country do so well. In addition to its green efforts (recycling and filtering its own water on-site), its restaurants are a draw in the city, and regularly win awards. Tell us about your room. What type was it? How did it look, and what was it like to be there? A well-appointed suite was the perfect way to be received upon arrival. Not only that, but the hotel appoints butlers to guests with rooms at a certain level. That butler will bring you snacks and refreshments, accompany you around the hotel, and help set up any tours or other visits you want to experience during your stay. Even with that level of attention, I barely wanted to leave the room. Picture a large, open space with tall picture windows overlooking the greenery and pool. A separate, spacious bathroom with soaking tub and shower. A personalized pillow upon arrival and other goodies every night during my stay. I showered immediately, was brought a celery juice by my butler, and felt the jet lag melting away almost within an hour. And how's the F&B? ITC's hotels are known for award-winning Indian and international cuisine; the five restaurants and two bars—not to mention the patisserie—are no exception at the ITC Maurya. Bukhara is a great one to start with: with traditional clay ovens, they make bread on-site, and turn out unforgettable tandoor-cooked kebabs and vegetables. Word of warning: the portions are generous and you won't leave hungry. If you just need to relax after a long day, grab an expertly made cocktail at the Golf Bar, modeled after an English Country Club, which is elegant but cozy and a relaxing place to stay a while. How did you find the service, start to finish? Smooth and efficient, or clumsy and forgetful? The service is incredibly attentive, with a traditional Indian welcome on arrival and a team seeing you to your room. My butler was a life-saver, knowing exactly what to bring me to help with the jet lag but also when to let me rest up. If you're not used to this standard of hospitality you may find it a bit invasive, but for a visitor new to the country and a little disoriented after a long trip, it was a relief. Check-in and check-out are smooth, and much of the hotel's systems are digital, so go quickly. And who are the other guests? What are they like? Mostly Indian business travelers, and some foreign tour groups. All skewing a bit more polished and international on the whole—this hotel caters to road warriors. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? As part of the diplomatic enclave, the immediate neighborhood doesn't have a lot to offer—but you're a close drive to the airport and Connaught Place, and from there, most of the sightseeing you'll want to do. The hotel does integrate well with the neighborhood, though—it's responsible for much of the area's green space, a welcome change from some of Delhi's more frenetic areas. Is there anything you'd change? I do think the service could relax a bit for international travelers who don't require or are used to that level of attentiveness...but that's a matter of personal opinion. Tell us what we missed! Maybe a tidbit that simply elevated the stay? I wish I had made more use of the pool, especially during Delhi's hotter months. It's glorious. The Kaya Kalp spa is superb and offers 30 treatments—book one for the day you arrive to help adjust and fend off jet lag. The hotel also offers "Food Sherpa Tours," walking tours with a focus on culinary discoveries around Delhi, that is a complete highlight. A chef from the hotel will take you around Delhi to try traditional food at some off-the-beaten-path spots, and it was a wonderful way to learn about the city. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? Absolutely. The hotel caters to visitors in ways that will just make your trip smoother and stress-free. It's ideal for Bonvoy members who want to get the points, too." - Corina Quinn