4 Concierge Recommendations for a Perfect Day Out in Delhi

We asked Delhi’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day

PANKAJ SHARMA

A planned day in Delhi could include:

• Yoga in Lodhi Gardens with the hotel’s yoga teacher – Lodhi Gardens are a short drive away in our Delhi tuk tuk.

• Breakfast poolside at the Aman, New Delhi.

• A journey into Old Delhi with an experienced and empathetic guide to visit the spice market; sample traditional kebabs in the tiny restaurants behind the Jama Masjid, and shop for textiles, silver and rare jewellery.

• Visit the Red Fort, among other monuments, from the Mughal era.

• Cycle through the lanes of Old Delhi with ‘The Flying Dutchman’ on an escorted, yet adrenalin-filled tour dodging goats and buffalo, rickshaws and hordes of people.

• Return to the Aman for late afternoon tea followed by a 90-minute spa treatment to counter the rigors of sightseeing

• Spend the evening eating a ‘thali’ of different Indian foods or relax over tapas and music in the hotel’s local bar.

BEST RESTAURANTS

Indian Accent at the Manor

Cuisine: Indian

Bukhara

Cuisine: Tandoori

SET’Z IN THE ICONIC EMPORIO MALL

Cuisine: Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern and Japanese

BEST SHOP

Too many to choose from in this shoppers’ paradise! Try the Sunder Nagar market for decor items, fine jewelry, tea, antiques and fashion; Kashmir Loom for beautifully crafted pashmina shawls; and don’t miss out on having your own perfume mixed for you in Old Delhi.

BEST TO DO

Visit the flower markets in early morning.

Take the Three Temple Tour and visit a mosque, a gurdwara and a temple.

Relax and laze by the pool, play tennis with our professional coaches and enjoy a one-on-one pilates lesson.

Take a personalized shopping tour with our personal shopper, Binita Rawley.

Enjoy a cooking lesson with our Indian chefs. Have dinner in a Delhi home with a group of interesting and eclectic Delhi-ites especially arranged by us.

KARTIKEYA KAPUR

Kartikeya recommends visiting the Lodhi Gardens, Humayun Tomb, Crafts Museum, Red Fort and the Jama Masjid. As a local, she also advises a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk and lunch at Chor Bizarre (at the Hotel Broadway).

BEST RESTAURANTS

Threesixty

Cuisine: Contemporary, Sushi and Mediterranean

Travertino

Cuisine: Italian

Taipan

Cuisine: Chinese

Bukhara

Cuisine: Greek Influence

Blue Ginger

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Kanomi

Cuisine: Japanese

BEST SHOPS

Central Cottage Industries Emporium

To Buy: handicrafts, carpets and books

Show Brothers

To Buy: shawls and stole

Bhimji Zaveri

To Buy: Jewelry

Laffaire

To Buy: Indian ethnic wear

Fabindia

To Buy: Fabric

Grover Tailors

To Buy: Tailored items

Johnson Watch Co.

To Buy: Watches and Pens

BEST TO DO

Day trip to Agra

ALBERT ALICK JOHN

For sightseeing in Delhi take a heritage walk of old Delhi to see its monuments by visiting Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Varanasi and Khajurah – a tour offered directly from the Imperial Hotel.

The Imperial concierge can prepare customized tours according to guests’ preferences and can arrange everything from accommodation and transport to jungle safaris. The hotel also arranges weekend breaks away to places such as Shimla, Mossouri and Rishikesh.

BEST RESTAURANTS

The Spice Route

Cuisine: South East Asian Restaurant

1911

Cuisine: Local and International

San Gimignano

Cuisine: Italian

BEST SHOPS

Chanel Store (the only one in the city) and Imperial Boutique

BEST TO DO

Stroll through corridors filled with British Raj trivia and original art, dine in award-winning restaurants and wander in lush, cool gardens nestled amidst royal palms – your tranquil escape in the heart of bustling New Delhi.

THE CONCIERGES

The concierges at The Claridges in Delhi recommend visiting the following sites while staying in this culturally rich city:

• India Gate This freestanding arch designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens was built in 1931 in memory of the 90,000 soldiers of the Indian army who died in World War I. An eternal flame honors the immortal soldier. (See Page 20)

• Rashtrapati Bhavan The official residence of the president of India, this 340-room heritage building was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens as the official residence of the Viceroy when the British ruled India. (See Page 21)

• Old Fort Built by Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, this ancient fort is the venue for a spectacular sound and light show that traces the history of Delhi.

• Lotus Temple The Bahá’í House of Worship, built in the shape of a lotus blossom, is an architectural marvel. Scriptures from all religions of the world are read here during prayer service. (See Page22)

• Red Fort A historical fort, built in 1648, which was the seat of the Mughal rulers of India until the last emperor was dethroned. It houses a museum of arms and armor from the Mughal period until the First World War. A sound and light show held here every evening captures the history of the fort.

• Jama Masjid Built in 1656, Jama Masjid, the country’s largest mosque, is a flawless piece of architecture. Located opposite the Red Fort, it is the grandest example of a three-domed mosque.

• Humayun’s Tomb A memorial of the Mughal emperor Humayun, the spectacular red and white building is said to be the inspiration for the Taj Mahal in Agra. The imposing tomb with its lofty gateway sits in the centre of a huge landscaped garden.

• Jantar Mantar Created as a result of Raja Mansingh to study time and undertake astrological research, this unique monument is located just behind Parliament Street, off Connaught Place.

• Qutab Minar A towering testimonial of the amazing architectural dexterity of the bygone era, Qutab Minar stands nearly 73-meters high, with balconies on its five levels affording sweeping views of the surroundings. Initiated in 1193 by King Qutb-ud-din Aibak, the Minar has stood witness to several empires changing hands in Delhi. It is today a UNESCO World Heritage monument.

• National Museum Located at Janpath, the museum is home to rare archaeological, historical and cultural artifacts from all over India. It also houses a maritime heritage gallery set up by the Indian navy. The museum regularly hosts travelling exhibitions from other countries.

• National Rail Museum A rail enthusiast’s delight, the museum houses locomotives and carriages dating back over 150 years. The star attraction is the Fairy Queen, built in 1855, which is considered to be the best preserved steam locomotive engine of her age. Children can enjoy a ride on the miniature rail track.

• National Gallery of Modern Art Located near India Gate, the gallery’s vast and eclectic collection is a tribute to Indian art of the past and present. The 17,000 pieces represent every genre and school from across the country while regular exhibitions feature works of contemporary artists from India and abroad.

• Dolls Museum Located on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, the museum houses the country’s largest collection of dolls from all over the world.

• State Emporia Complex Off Connaught Place, this complex houses emporia from different states of the country, each showcasing age-old art and crafts from the state. The spectacular display of India’s creative energies includes an amazing array of products – from exquisite jewelry to beautiful hand-carved idols – and offers a complete shopping experience.

• Dilli Haat This is a village-style marketplace with stalls showcasing master craftsmen and their crafts from around the country. The Haat is also a wonderful place to taste the varied cuisine of all Indian states.

• Santushti Complex This upmarket shopping complex houses designer boutiques selling selective handicrafts, silverware, leather goods, clothes, paintings, and so on.