Note: This is no longer a Hilton property.
Located about 30 minutes from the international airport (not a bad drive now that the new toll road is open), this was my favorite hotel of my entire trip (too bad we were only using it as a "day room", yet without the discounted rate). We used frequent flyer miles (30K) for our stay, which was pricing out at $500+ if paid directly. Beautiful property, with lots of ponds and water, great pool, but perhaps a few sun lounger chairs light. Quite pretty outside at night, when everything is lit up by torches, candles, etc. Pool bar, drinks/food service at the pool, lobby bar, and two other restaurants (one more formal than the other, one having outdoor seating as well as indoor). Nice spa by the pool (though not the cheapest prices I had seen in India), and two beautiful shops near the lobby. Our room was lovely, but we were told that we received an upgrade for being Gold Passport members (either that or a free breakfast, which we weren't going to be present for) with everything one could want. Excellent bathroom, with separate soaking tub and standing shower, nice toiletries (can't recall the brand, though), hairdryer, robes, slippers, complimentary water, fruit plate, great chocolates at evening turndown. We booked a pre-paid taxi at the airport to the hotel (about $10), but took the $40 hotel car service back to the airport (arranged by the hotel, in the most comfortable car we had seen on our entire trip, added to the bill, worth the splurge). I would absolutely return to this hotel if given the opportunity, but sadly, it will cease its affiliation with Hilton next month so no more opportunities for upgrades or free stays.
Delhi Airport Info: The international airport was not as big or as crazy as I had imagined. Not big at all, really, when compared with US airports like Newark, JFK, Atlanta. Lots of lines--to get through the door, to get your luggage scanned and tied, to check in at the airline counter, immigration, security, more security, several pat downs. Allow enough time to clear all these hurdles. No airlines except Air India seem to have permanent counters, so it's like a treasure hunt finding your airline. Only the large airlines have jetways; otherwise, it's shuttle bus service. There's not much inside in the way of services: a few shops, a few food carts/counters, two airline lounges (outside security), and one table-service restaurant (outside security). There is smoking in the table-service restaurant only. The domestic terminal is in three separate buildings about 30 minutes from the international terminal. There's a bus between the two (which we didn't use) or hire any taxi ($3 or $4 US). There is no smoking in the domestic terminals that I could see. No airlines have jetways, so it is necessary to take a shuttle bus to/from the planes. The buses don't seem to board until the exact time that you think your flight should leave, so don't get antsy!
This was not the easiest, nor the most satisfying trip we’ve ever taken, but seeing the Taj Mahal, the Ganges, and Parahawking made it all worthwhile. We will return to India someday to see places like Jaipur, Jaisalamer, Udaipur, Goa, etc., but next time we’ll be more prepared to roll with the punches.
