DESTINATION GUID E S ERIES DELHI Sponsored by: 1 ELITE GUIDE TO DELHI HIGHLIGHTS OF DELHI 3 ONLY ELITE 4 Here at Elite Traveler we have selected the most exclusive VIP experience CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS 5 We asked Delhi’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day DAWN AT THE RAMBAGH PALACE HOTEL WHERE TO ➤ STAY 8 ➤ DINE 17 ➤ PAMPERED 21 ENJOY FINE INDIAN CUISINE WHAT TO DO ➤ DURING THE DAY 22 ➤ DURING THE NIGHT 24 ➤ FEATURED EVENTS 26 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF EXCLUSIVE SPAS ➤ SHOPPING 27 NEED TO KNOW ➤ PRIVATE JET TERMINALS 30 ➤ USEFUL INFORMATION 31 RELAX AT THE AMAN NEW DELHI WWW.NATMYSTIC.COM ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | DELHI Sponsored by: www.elitetraveler.com 2 HIGHLIGHTS OF DELHI Don’t miss out on Delhi’s wealth of attractions, adventures and experiences he largest metropolis area in has really become a destination for the Flagstaff House (where Jawaharlal T India, Delhi is also the country’s high-end traveler. Nehru lived) and also the majority of the capital and business hub. Emerging public buildings and post offices. from the shadow of Mumbai, Delhi is Elite travelers can expect to see an embarking on major developments array of influences in Delhi. Commonly Delhi is certainly driven towards an while maintaining a traditional misunderstood as a city built by the exciting future, and with roots in rich Indian feel. Holding a reputation as Mughals, Delhi was in fact a city built tradition and power, there is no reason a political landmark, it hasn’t lost by the British, which shows in its for it not to succeed in the coming any entertainment credentials along architecture. Many of the structures years. This destination guide explores the way. Most noticeable in the 21st were designed by Englishman Robert why now is the time to visit and be one century for the array of Bollywood Tor Russell, such as Connaught Place, of the first few to experience this stars spending time in the city, Delhi the Eastern and Western Courts, vibrant city! ENJOY FRESH SPICES AND NUTS RED FORT AT CHANDNI CHOWK MARKET CHANDNI CHOWK RED FORT Address: Old Delhi, near the Red Fort and Jama Masjid Address: Near Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi,110006 Originally known as the moonlit market, Chandni Chowk is over a century Red Fort is also known as Lal Qila. This magnificent monument was built old and located in the older, historic part of Delhi. As well as being a market by Emperor Shah Jahan and is called red fort because of its impressive it is also the main street of Old Delhi and is often thriving with people – it is walls made from red sandstone. It has gone on to become a world famous described by many as India’s most captivating marketplace. Elite Travelers landmark and is the location from which the prime minister of India can choose from the vast selections of jewelry, fabrics and electronics addresses the nation on Independence Day. Situated in the iconic area of available for purchase. It is also one of the best places in the city to try some Chandni Chowk, it is nestled in the quieter Netaji Subhash Marg end – and of India’s most unusual spices. As famous in Delhi as it is in Bollywood, for the most authentic feel, travelers should visit at either sunrise or sunset. Chandni Chowk features in a number of movies, including Kabhi Khushi Don’t miss the sound and light shows that appear from 6pm onwards in Kabhie Gham, Black and White and Delhi-6. English and Hindu. AMAN SPA Spa Director: Sandie Johannessen Phone: +91 11 4363 3333 Email: [email protected] Delhi is home to some of the world’s most luxurious spa and health resorts. By far our favorite is the Aman Spa at the Connaught. It is found on Lodhi Road and offers eight private treatment rooms and two traditional Hammam steam baths. While each treatment room is fully equipped with its own private shower, steam room, bathtub, vanity and day bed, the spa also features the Kim Robinson salon, the first India-based hair studio from celebrity stylist Kim Robinson. While in Delhi we recommend trying the Rajkumari & Rajkumar Package, a 4.5-hour treatment (for individuals or couples) that includes a Royal Foot Bath, Black Sesame and Vanilla Body Scrub, Eucalyptus Steam, Sandalwood Pomegranate Signature Massage, a Rajasthan Red Earth Body Wrap with Head Massage, a signature facial, and which ends with a Jasmine Ylang Ylang Sandalwood Bath Ritual. For other AMAN SPA IS REGARDED AS ONE OF THE BEST IN INDIA favorite spas see Page 19. ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | DELHI Sponsored by: www.elitetraveler.com 3 ONLY ELITE Here at Elite Traveler we have selected the most exclusive VIP experience INDIAN GOLF COMPANY INDIAN GOLF COMPANY of high-end clientele, making the experience a truly unique and VIP Contact: Puneet Sachdev, General Manager VIP one. The Indian Golf Company’s unique positioning within the Phone: +91 12 4422 1285 or +44 78 8638 1370 (Scotland) international golf travel market allows travelers to access courses that Email: [email protected] are otherwise difficult to book privately. The staff has considerable Address: 103 Sushant Plaza Complex, Sushant Lok I, Gurgaon - 122 001 knowledge of the luxury market in India and drawing on this knowledge Website: www.theindiangolfcompany.com means every experience can be tailored to individual desires. Of course, With India being the first country outside of Great Britain to take up there is a clubhouse on hand and the whole company reflects the the game of golf, we believe The Indian Golf Company provides a high history of golfing in Delhi. quality golfing and cultural experience that caters to both the leisure and business traveler. The company can guarantee a tee-time on “Our trip with IGC exposed us to a unique and New Delhi’s private member cours es and their insider knowledge luxurious side of the Golden Triangle that we would ensures that the elite travelers can have access to the city’s hidden and otherwise not have discovered.” exclusive luxuries. Based in India and Scotland (the home of golf), IGC DECLAN HARNET has considerable experience in bespoke travel to the world’s premier CLIENT courses, such as the Old Course in St Andrews, the Old Head in Ireland and the Royal Melbourne in Australia. Whether you are looking for “The Indian Golf Company’s unique positioning a golfing weekend with friends and family or something exclusive to ensures that our clients are able to experience great impress your associates, The Indian Golf Company offers a range of golf and the luxuries and delights of the city.” exciting and luxurious options, all bookable through there Scottish PUNEET SACHDEV headquarters. Experiences are designed to fully meet the requirements MANAGING DIRECTOR ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | DELHI Sponsored by: www.elitetraveler.com 4 CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS We asked Delhi’s top concierges to share their personal recommendations for the perfect day PANKAJ SHARMA Bukhara Cuisine: Tandoori HEAD CONCIERGE, AMAN HOTEL Address: Chanakyapuri, New Delhi Phone: +91 11 4363 3333 Email: [email protected] SET’Z iN THE ICONIC EMPORIO MALL Cuisine: Indian, Thai, Middle Eastern and Japanese A planned day in Delhi could include: Address: 4 Nelson Mandela Marg, Vasant Kunj, Delhi 110070 • Yoga in Lodhi Gardens with the hotel’s yoga teacher – Lodhi Gardens are a short drive away in our Delhi tuk tuk. BEST SHOP • Breakfast poolside at the Aman, New Delhi. Too many to choose from in this shoppers’ paradise! Try the Sunder Nagar • A journey into Old Delhi with an experienced and empathetic guide to market for decor items, fine jewelry, tea, antiques and fashion; Kashmir visit the spice market; sample traditional kebabs in the tiny restaurants Loom for beautifully crafted pashmina shawls; and don’t miss out on behind the Jama Masjid, and shop for textiles, silver and rare jewellery. having your own perfume mixed for you in Old Delhi. • Visit the Red Fort, among other monuments, from the Mughal era. • Cycle through the lanes of Old Delhi with ‘The Flying Dutchman’ on an BEST TO DO escorted, yet adrenalin-filled tour dodging goats and buffalo, rickshaws Visit the flower markets in early morning. and hordes of people. Take the Three Temple Tour and visit a mosque, a gurdwara and • Return to the Aman for late afternoon tea followed by a 90-minute spa a temple. treatment to counter the rigors of sightseeing Relax and laze by the pool, play tennis with our professional coaches • Spend the evening eating a ‘thali’ of different Indian foods or relax over and enjoy a one-on-one pilates lesson. tapas and music in the hotel’s local bar. Take a personalized shopping tour with our personal shopper, Binita Rawley. BEST RESTAURANTS Enjoy a cooking lesson with our Indian chefs. Indian Accent at the Manor Have dinner in a Delhi home with a group of interesting and eclectic Cuisine: Indian Delhi-ites especially arranged by us. Address: 77 Friends Colony (West), Delhi, 110065 THE TAJ MAHAL ELITE DESTINATION GUIDE | DELHI Sponsored by: www.elitetraveler.com 55 CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS KARTIKEYA KAPUR Bukhara Laffaire HEAD CONCIERGE, THE OBEROI HOTEL Cuisine: Greek Influence To Buy: Indian ethnic wear Phone: +91 11 2436 3030 Address: ITC Maurya Address: GK, Select Citywalk Email: [email protected] Blue Ginger Fabindia Kartikeya recommends visiting the Lodhi Cuisine: Vietnamese To Buy: Fabric Gardens, Humayun Tomb, Crafts Museum, Red Address: Taj Palace Hotel Address: Greater Kailash, N-Block Fort and the Jama Masjid. As a local, she also advises a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk and Kanomi Grover Tailors lunch at Chor Bizarre (at the Hotel Broadway).