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A capital city with its share of opulent buildings and grand monuments is getting ready to welcome one more. Opening in less than three months in the heart of New Delhi’s diplomatic enclave and very near Chanakyapuri, the central business district, is the first luxury hotel to be built from the ground up in India’s capital in 15 years. In November, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, one of the country’s leading luxury hotel groups, will welcome its newest five-star property, the 260-room Leela Palace Kempinski New Delhi.
John Gerondelis of Smallwood, Reynolds and Stewart has designed a luxurious contemporary hotel recalling the elegance of Edwin Lutyens’ turn-of-the-century architecture with references from the royal palace architecture of north India. Spaces are grand befitting a modern palace. Lightly-honed limestone walls and oversize windows and doors set the regal tone. Guests are greeted at the porte-cochere by huge stone elephants. The architectural firm also designed Burj Place Dubai and the Ritz Carlton in Charlotte, North Carolina.
In a country known for pampering its visitors, The Leela aims to bring a new level of luxury and service to the destination. The Leela Palace New Delhi will feature four restaurants, a 6,500-square-foot spa, a rooftop swimming pool, a fitness center, a whiskey and wine bar, a tea lounge and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting facilities. Guests can dine on regional specialties at Jamavar, The Leela’s signature Indian restaurant or opt for Japanese at Megu, its first outpost in India, which will open in January 2011. Designed like a glass house, Qube will serve international cuisine from 6:30 AM to 1:30 AM. Its “show kitchen” will feature chefs preparing wok-fried specialties, pizza and steak. The Tea Lounge will serve continental breakfast at 5:30 AM for early departures, a proper English afternoon tea and hot beverages in the evening. At the roof-top Italian restaurant, set to open in December, guests can dine at another “show kitchen” while chefs prepare antipasto, handmade pasta and pizza, on the terrace or in the Chef’s Private Dining Room. The Library Bar, with indoor and outside seating, will have an extensive collection of whiskeys and wines and an innovative Martini Menu.
India’s second ESPA spa – the first opened at The Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur last fall – will offer a comprehensive range of traditional treatments as well as Ayurveda therapies in its seven treatment rooms and couple’s suite. A fitness center comes with all the latest equipment and will have personal trainers, sauna, steam rooms and offer yoga classes. The weather-controlled roof-top swimming pool will keep guests cool all year-round.
Boasting the largest guest rooms in the Indian capital, The Leela Palace’s Royal Club Rooms measure a generous 520 square feet. Nineteen sumptuous suites range in size from 810 to 1,530 square feet, and three have private pools. At 4,333 square feet, the Maharaja Suite is fit for royalty – and secure enough for a head of state – with its own dining room, spa room and Jacuzzi. Luxurious furnishings, hand-woven rugs and tapestries and original sculptures create an opulent ambiance. Lavish baths in Italian marble come with deep soaking tubs and rain showers. Twenty-four hour butler service is available for all rooms.
The Leela has made a substantial investment in technology and security. All guestrooms are equipped with the latest bells and whistles: a two-line Internet Protocol phone and two other phones; Sony high-definition LCD television with Blu-Ray player; Bose iPod dock; high-speed Broadband Internet access (speed:10 Mbps) and Wi-Fi. And the hotel has devoted tremendous consideration to security. The Leela has installed an elaborate CCTV network monitored 24 hours a day as well as a state-of-the-art locking system for guest rooms. A highly-trained hotel security team constantly monitors the property, including the elevators, and all entrances and exits are guarded 24 hours a day by professional security guards. Guests and all luggage enter through metal detectors. Telephone operators and other staff members have been instructed not to divulge room numbers or guest names, and housekeeping staff knows not to open rooms without checking with security.
Business travelers will appreciate the amenities of the Royal Club accommodations which begin with private limousine transfers from the airport, private check-in and check-out, 24-hour Business Center with Board Room, 24-hour butler service and entree to the Royal Club Lounge that is open from 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM and will feature five different food presentations daily.
The hotel has extensive conference and meeting facilities including the 4,150- square-foot Grand Ballroom, the 1,200-square-foot Royal Ballroom, six meeting rooms and two board rooms.
The Leela Palace Kempinski New Delhi will have its soft opening in October when 100 guest rooms will be ready.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
