The Oberoi, New Delhi

All-round excellence. Great choice at breakfast. Polite, timely service. Dhilli has authentic Delhi food. Meticulous housekeeping. Have been staying here for years: no drop in standards. Getting a bit expensive, but still worth it on the AMEX FHR program.

The Oberoi, New Delhi has long been one of my favorite city hotels — refined, elegant, and always a notch above. But this time, while the core luxury remained, it felt like many of the small touches that define a truly exceptional stay had begun to slip. The room was as lovely as ever, but I missed the iPad-based control system — intuitive and futuristic, now oddly absent. There was no welcome drink either, which may seem minor, but it’s the kind of thoughtful gesture that sets the tone at a hotel of this calibre. In-room dining now uses a QR code menu, which felt impersonal. There was no beverage or wine list included, which was disappointing. The minibar selection has been significantly reduced, and the bar was out of Campari — possibly due to local policies, but still a letdown. A visit to the spa for a foot massage turned out to be uneven — one leg noticeably rushed through compared to the other. The attention to detail was missing. Menu cards at 360 were wrinkled and stained — something that would never have passed in previous visits. Food pricing also felt increasingly disproportionate — ₹1100 for a glass of nimbu pani at Dhilli while a full cake at the patisserie costs just ₹1200. Staff were polite, but seemed low on energy — not the warm, proactive hospitality that once defined the Oberoi experience. A particularly surprising moment was when I requested the concierge’s help in finding a particular pair of Sony earbuds. Rather than offering any guidance or recommendations, I was advised to “order online for a seamless experience.” It felt dismissive — and out of step with the service one expects here. After 20 minutes of my own searching and a few calls, I located them at a CROMA store in Connaught Place. A missed opportunity for what could have been thoughtful, anticipatory service. The Oberoi still offers a beautiful setting and quiet luxury, but this stay reminded me how vital the little things are — and how noticeable their absence can be.

We recently booked our holiday to India through the Oberoi Exotic Vacations team, staying at their stunning properties throughout the Golden Triangle. This trip was to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday, and we worked mostly with Lakshita, who went above and beyond to help us plan every detail. Her communication was outstanding — she was kind, thoughtful, and truly understood our needs as a family. We won’t hesitate to reach out to her and her colleagues when we are ready to plan our next Indian adventure. We began and ended our trip at the Oberoi, New Delhi, and it couldn’t have been a better choice. When we arrived in Delhi in the early hours of the morning, we were met at the airport by an Oberoi representative and our chauffeurs. Despite being tired after a long journey, the process was completely seamless. We were whisked away in extremely comfortable vehicles, with cold water, flannels, and even a menu so we could order food via the chauffeur en route. This meant dinner was ready for us shortly after arrival — a hugely appreciated touch, especially with hungry teenagers in tow. Our welcome at the hotel was warm and efficient, and we were able to shower and rest soon after arriving. We were very kindly upgraded to a beautiful room on the 7th floor, and woke up to spectacular views of the hotel grounds and the city. One of our highlights was watching the birds of prey swooping so close to the windows — a magnificent and almost surreal sight we enjoyed daily. We ate all of our meals at 360, including breakfast, and the restaurant was exceptional. The breakfast buffet alone was phenomenal, and the vast menu meant there was always something for everyone — particularly important for our neurodiverse sons, who were very comfortable here thanks to the calm atmosphere and wide range of international dishes. Special thanks to manager Sarthak and head chef Esham for taking such great care of us. Onyx, one of our waiters, was simply outstanding — proactive, attentive, and a true asset to the team. On the morning of my husband’s birthday, he was presented with beautiful flowers and a birthday cake. Later, our room was decorated with even more lovely flowers — such a thoughtful touch. On a separate day, Prerna in the Patisserie very kindly organised another delicious cake for us. We also had a few visits to the Patisserie during our stay for light snacks and coffee, and always enjoyed our time there. Prerna was a delight to chat with, and we appreciated her warmth and generosity. We were fortunate to meet Mr. Magdum (Hotel Manager) and Mr. Panshikar (General Manager and VP) early in our stay. They are clearly hands-on leaders, always visible around the property and committed to ensuring guests have a flawless experience. When we returned to the Oberoi, New Delhi at the end of our trip, we were once again generously upgraded to a beautiful room for our final nights — a gesture that meant a lot to us and made our departure from India feel that much more special. The hotel itself is modern, spacious, and has everything you could need. It truly is a cool, calm oasis in the heart of bustling New Delhi. The concierge team, led by Albert, were fantastic throughout our stay. On our final day, I accidentally left a bag of souvenirs in the back of an Uber. Nayan went out of his way to track down the driver and ensured the items were returned to the hotel, keeping us informed the entire time. I was incredibly grateful for his help. Manisha was also incredibly kind, and I really enjoyed chatting with her and reminiscing about my childhood in India. Our time at the Oberoi, New Delhi was truly exceptional. Every member of staff contributed to making our experience warm, welcoming, and memorable. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this hotel and will definitely return to begin and end our next Indian journey here. Thank you to every single person who made our stay so special — and for making my husband’s 50th birthday one we will never forget.

The hotel staff were extremely helpful in making our stay very enjoyable and relaxing. Facilities at the hotel were second to none and provided a secluded escape from the hustle and bustle of Delhi. This is one of the best hotels we have stayed at and would be very happy to come back.

Last April, we took a group of friends to explore India and spent a few days at the Oberoi Hotel. Everything was beyond excellent. I think it's the best hotel in New Delhi. We were all treated very kindly with excellent service. The food was top-notch, including the bar. The manager and staff gave us a thoughtful gift, including a printed photo of each member of the tour. I highly recommend this hotel.